Do I need a Jointer??

[Knottscott]

A jointer is no more necessary than any tool, but it sure holds a place in my shop that no other tool can match. You can't do all your jointing on a TS....you can only edge joint. Jointing a flat face is critical in creating a reference surface in dimensional lumber from which all other surfaces are squared and flattened. If you edge joint with a TS (or router) on a board that isn't perfectly flat, the edge won't be perfectly 90° adjacent to the face.

A jointer is the most effective and efficient tool at flattening a face, though it can also be accomplished using a hand plane, or a thickness planer equipped with a sled that uses the sled's base as a flat reference surface.

If you use mostly sheetgoods, then a jointer will be less critical, but without one for dimensional lumber, you're either doing workarounds for tasks that the jointer excels at, you're having someone else do those tasks, or you're living with "close enough" for all your joinery.

[LCHIEN]

A jointer is no more necessary than any tool, but it sure holds a place in my shop that no other tool can match. You can't do all your jointing on a TS....you can only edge joint. Jointing a flat face is critical in creating a reference surface in dimensional lumber from which all other surfaces are squared and flattened. If you edge joint with a TS (or router) on a board that isn't perfectly flat, the edge won't be perfectly 90° adjacent to the face.

A jointer is the most effective and efficient tool at flattening a face, though it can also be accomplished using a hand plane, or a thickness planer equipped with a sled that uses the sled's base as a flat reference surface.

If you use mostly sheetgoods, then a jointer will be less critical, but without one for dimensional lumber, you're either doing workarounds for tasks that the jointer excels at, you're having someone else do those tasks, or you're living with "close enough" for all your joinery.

well said!

[Sawatzky]

In the 4 years that I have been doing woodworking on a more moderate scale, I have used my jointer only a few times. I buy all my lumber with a straight edge already on it. I don't know how much more that is, but I paid about $3.00 a BF last time I bought red oak. Sometimes I use the jointer on longer boards that bow a little, but if you invest in lumber that is pre milled you can get around it. But, as others have said when you need it you need it and no other tool can do what a jointer does excell at.

[SARGE..g-47]

Invest in the planer first as mentioned. Heed what Knotscott said. You can edge joint on the TS.. but you cannot surface. If you purchase locally here in Atlanta.. you can get it S3S at the least. The thickness planer in that case takes priority over the jointer if that stock is already surfaced.

And in a last ditch scenario... if you do get hold of some rough stock and need if face surfaced before you plane it... call me and bring it by my shop on Saturday and we'll run it through my Steel City 8". I can average about 200' linear feet an hour so... it will be a short visit for the most part.

Good luck...

[Iansaws]

I pulled the trigger...

Well yesterday I bit the bullet and got both a jointer and a planer. I found them both on Craigslist for a really good deal and both were "barely used". The planer, a Hitachi 13 inch P13F, is obviously a display model probably from Lowes, although the seller did not tell me this. It was not on a stand and the seller told me that it didn't come with one...they do if you buy them new. This along with the partially removed feature label stuck on the infeed table and the peice of plastic stuck to the top to hold the price tag reaffirm my suspicions. I haven't tried it yet, but it does power on and everything seems to work. It is missing a couple of small items like the key for the switch and a magnet that helps align the blade, but I think I can find those somewhere. When I pointed all this out to the seller, he through in a Ryobi table saw stand for it and came down on the price $10. So a good deal all-in-all.

An even better deal was the Delta 6-in benchtop jointer, not because of the price, although that was good as well, but because of how well it works and how happy I am that I got it. A couple of nights ago I cross-cut to rough length some quarter sawn white oak that I am using to build a coffee table with and took it to a friends shop to run it through his jointer. We had a good evening hanging out in his shop and discussing my project, jointing and planers and looking at some amazing stuff he has done. Yesterday after my shopping spree, I ripped the jointed pieces to size on my TS using the edge my friend gave me. I then ran the fresh cut edge through my new jointer and the result was amazing. It was the smoothest edge I have ever seen...so good in fact that I re-jointed the other edges. Needless to say I am very pleased with my purchase. The Delta jointer may have some issues, but it did a great job for me.

[Iansaws]

Thanks again

Just wanted to thank everyone here for their post on this thread. Everyone has been very helpful here as always and has helped me reach a satisfying conclusion to my search. You guys are the best.

JT

[SARGE..g-47]

On an added note John, you can joint on a TS but... regardless of how many will tell you their super-duper.. high tech sawblade will leave an edge that is perfectly smooth.... No TS blade is going to leave an edge as smooth as a power or hand held jointer and I will argue that with anyone as there really is no argument if you think about it.

The reason when I rip I intentionally leave rip 1/8" proud of actual size and take 1/16" off each side with the jointer.

Good luck with your new additions to that nice shop you have up the street in Mary-Eata.

[Knottscott]

Congrats on your new purchase. I think you'll be really pleased with the decision to get both....they're a wonderful tandem team. Have fun!

[LCHIEN]

ditto on getting both. They do really work well together. The small Delta benchtop will do great for smaller projects, like boxes and small furnishing items. Like you noted, it puts a great finish on wood.