Jointers in the woodworking industry are used to make one side of a board and its neighboring edge completely parallel and square. Buying a jointer for your workshop is a good idea, but it can be frustrating if you make a poor choice and end up with useless features.
Moreover, picking the best jointer tool for the job is difficult due to the wide variety of options available. If you are having trouble deciding between various joiners, you can read the following article.
Here, I’ve compiled a list of the 7 best jointers for the money, complete with a detailed buying guide, to help you find the best item for your needs.
  | PORTER-CABLE Benchtop Jointer | |
  | WEN JT3062 Benchtop Jointer | |
  | CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Jointer |
Is it Worth Buying a Jointer?
When dealing with wood, jointer tools are among the most beneficial and flexible options. Jointers are helpful for cutting straight edges, but they can also make your work seem more polished and professional if you take the time to learn how to use them properly.
When investing in a jointer is useful depends on the specifics of each person’s woodworking projects, their available funds, and their level of comfort using and maintaining power equipment.
Also, having a jointer allows for greater precision and control, resulting in less sanding and more uniformly high-quality final goods. Having a tool like this available to homeowners is likely to be helpful.
It’s essential to think about the kinds of tasks you have and the size of the jointer available before making a final decision on whether or not to purchase a jointer. Remember investing in a machine that is too large or small for the job at hand might end up being more of a hassle than it’s worth in the long run.
Review of 7 Best Jointers for The Money
Below is a review of the benefits and downsides of the top Jointers for the money.
1. PORTER-CABLE Benchtop Jointer
This PORTER-CABLE Benchtop Jointer is a sure bet if you’re a woodworker who frequently works with several types of wood and many pieces at once.
Performance
The 19.75 by 4.25-inch fence on this benchtop jointer is centered on providing precise support for your workpiece. Its 6-inch width and 30-inch length capability are standard among benchtop jointers, allowing it to accommodate a wide variety of stock sizes.
You can customize the fit by adjusting the depth to your preference. A fence in the machine’s central shaft provides extra stability for any jointing task.
The jackscrew knife leveling mechanism allows you to easily fine-tune your knives. With this simple technique, you can swap out the blades whenever they become dull, in addition to the two push blocks and the cutter head’s built-in lock for added security.
What do we like about this product?
You can adjust the speed from 6,000 to 11,000 RPM (or 12,000 to 22,000 CPM) to suit your specific demands and the nature of your work. Because you can choose a lower speed for working with softer woods, your blades will stay sharper for longer. Again, making the proper speed choice for your present job can help lessen the strain exerted on the motor, extending the machine’s overall lifespan.
What do we not like about this product?
Even the slowest speeds on this jointer feel rapid. This jointer is not suitable for use with heavy or hardwood.
2. WEN JT3062 Benchtop Jointer
The WEN JT3062 Benchtop Jointer is the most excellent tool for accurate work with any wood in terms of price and value.
Performance
The jointer’s twelve high-speed steel cutter heads allow precise cuts through hard and soft woods. The 10-amp motor enables 20,000 cuts per minute. An integral feature of this device is a depth-adjustable infeed table that can be set anywhere from zero to one-eighth of an inch.
The spacious tabletop makes it easy for even the sturdiest bases to move about. Since the spring-loaded blade guard only exposes a small amount of the cutter head, it effectively protects the operator from potential harm.
Also, this model’s user-friendliness and safety come from several features, including a built-in scale, a large table, a spring-loaded blade guard, and a bevel fence that can adjust to 45 degrees.
What do we like about this product?
This jointer will not release dust particles into the air during and after use or cause a mess in the workshop due to its integrated push stick, filter bag, and dust port. This makes the jointer very easy to clean up after.
There are two push blocks that, when used together, make it possible for the components to be joined securely. This jointer is suitable for use with any available spiral blade replacements.
What do we not like about this product?
Keeping this jointer operational is a constant upkeep battle.
3. CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Jointer
Due to its variable speed and appropriate motor power, this CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Jointer is well-suited for use with a wide range of wood materials in different benchtop jointing applications. This jointer is versatile enough to meet the demands of both professional and amateur woodworkers.
Performance
You can adjust the cutting speed of this benchtop jointer from 6,000 to 11,000 RPM (revolutions per minute) and the feed rate from 12,000 to 22,000 CPM (cutter head speed). Because of this, the machine can easily work with a wide range of thicknesses and hardness of the material.
This jointer has a two-knife cutter head with a 10-amp motor, making it suitable for most woodworking projects. The 4-1/4-inch fence height is ideal for both conventional and angled jointing.
This CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Jointer stands apart from the competition because of its jackscrew knife leveling system. It also reduces the likelihood of accidentally touching the cutter’s blade. In addition, the knife system’s fine-tuning can be done quickly and easily with this mechanism.
What do we like about this product?
This jointer’s most valuable feature is adjusting the motor’s speed to suit your needs. For instance, this functionality makes it a valuable machine for hardwoods and common wood. The variable speed option is beneficial because it helps you get more use out of your knives. Less motor power is consumed by not having to work at such high rates, and the wood stays less damaged.
What do we not like about this product?
There is difficulty with the fence of this tool because it is a bit challenging to adjust.
4. Wahuda Tools Jointer- 8-inch Benchtop Wood Jointer
When making precise, clean cuts in dense, fine-grained woods, the Wahuda Tools Jointer is the best jointer for the money.
Performance
Featuring a 120V motor, this wahuda jointer is equipped with a sophisticated spiral cutter head for precise cutting. The arms of the jointer can be extended so that you can use it with timber of even greater length.
It’s user-friendly for newcomers because of the simple controls that improve the experience. It cuts with pinpoint accuracy because of the carbide tips’ four-sided design. This tool’s 10-amp motor spins at a constant 12,000 RPM, making it ideal for jointing, flattening, cutting, and edging various materials and surfaces.
Again, this 8-inch helical blade from Wahuda Tools is top-shelf. This blade has a broader cutting edge making it superior to traditional two-sided blade jointers in terms of cutting precision and the quality of the finished edge. The expanded and adjustable iron cast tables add a level of steadiness that makes them appropriate for working on boards of a greater size.
What do we like about this product?
Though it’s an 8-inch wood jointer, the roll-out extensions of this jointer increase the working surface from 34 inches to 51 inches. It is a lightweight jointer at only 60 pounds. Besides, the extra fence’s adjustable tilt ranges from 90 to 135 degrees, providing many options.
What do we not like about this product?
Although it runs for a long time, this motor is just barely underpowered. As an added complication, an interior dust collection connection is not provided.
5. Wolfcraft 2920000 Multi Wood Jointer
This Wolfcraft 2920000 Multi Wood Jointer is your best option if you’re looking for a portable jointer, as it’s lightweight and compact.
Performance
The Wolfcraft 2920000 Multi Wood Jointer is a portable jointer that allows for simple woodworking operations and convenient operation. It can perform various functions, including cutting shadow joints, cutting miter joints, and milling battens. It is outfitted with a 100 mm CT groove saw that can reach relatively high RPMs when it is in use. The jointer has a high degree of stability, which helps to ensure accuracy while cutting wood.
This tool can be used with any hand-angle grinder, making the job much simpler. In addition, this equipment comes with a dust-collecting bag, which helps to improve its efficiency, keep dust away, and maintain a clean environment.
What do we like about this product?
The mechanism of this jointer has a plastic cutter of very high quality and stability, making it a better option than low-cost die-cast alternatives. Also, the spring force and cutter routing are excellent, much like the disc cutter.
What do we not like about this product?
This Wolfcraft 2920000 Multi Wood Jointer cannot function properly for a long time. Additionally, if you want to work on wood projects that are larger in scale, there are better picks to go with because it does not function well in hefty tasks.
6. JET JJ-6CSDX, 6-Inch Woodworking Jointer
This JET Woodworking Jointer is the finest option for commercial applications, including machine shops and workshops.
Performance
You’ll find three steel knives in the cutter head of this JET 6-inch jointer planer. With an extra blade at your disposal, you’ll be able to make clean cuts in record time.
The cutting depth on the table is precisely adjustable and intended to meet your demands. The metal fence is enormous and high. It’s also effortless to tweak to fit specific situations.
Dust extraction is beneath the outfeed table, and most controls are on this jointer. With this, you can store it against a wall in your store, freeing up floor space.
What do we like about this product?
The feed table and cutting head can easily be raised and lowered due to the large adjustment wheels positioned up front. The two-way tilting fence may be adjusted to 45 degrees and has large push-button controls conveniently located above the workbench. When compared to similar full-sized cabinet jointers, its pricing is significantly lower.
What do we not like about this product?
It’s challenging to get a straight fence on this jointer. It’s also difficult to adjust the motor belt’s pressure in a confined area.
7. Powermatic 1791317K 6-Inch Jointer
This Powermatic jointer is an excellent option if you value precision and accuracy in your woodworking.
Performance
The Powermatic 1791317K is a robust jointer that can handle tough materials.
The Powermatic 1791317K is a jointer designed for heavy-duty use and has a solid base material. The cabinet base is made entirely of steel and is elevated to 32 inches. A strong motor operates on a single phase and generates 1.0 horsepower. This motor is installed inside the base and can be converted for voltage needs.
The four-sided knife is located in the spiral-cutting head of this jointer. As a bonus, this lowers the machine’s potential to create distracting noises during operation, further improving efficiency and accuracy. The infeed has a height adjustment of up to 6 inches, giving you plenty of room to work in.
Additionally, the inserts are placed at an angle of 14 degrees and have a four-inch radius ground into them where they contact the wood. This produces a true shear cut, which reduces the impact and fiber disruption caused by alternative cutter head designs. As a bonus, the inserts last longer due to the carbide’s resilience and the low-impact, shear-cutting action.
What do we like about this product?
The fencing system is high-performance because of its precision construction. To increase the fence’s adaptability, you can tilt it. Also, the tables are built to last due to their sturdy cast-iron structure.
What do we not like about this product?
Getting a straight line while putting up the fence takes a lot of work. Tightening the motor belt is a real pain when working in confined quarters.
Buying Guide: Best Jointer for The Money
Knowing which jointer provides the best value for your money can be difficult. Jointers come in various styles and capacities, making it difficult to choose the best one for your garage or workshop.
Whether you’re just starting in the woodworking world or are a seasoned veteran, you should keep a few things in mind while shopping for a jointer. Here is a rundown of things to keep in mind while shopping for a jointer:
- The Type of Jointer You Need
Your projects and the available space in your workshop will determine the type and size of jointer you require. The four most popular types are stationary, belt-driven, tabletop, and spiral head jointers. The most accurate jointers are stationary ones; however, because of their bigger working area and bed size, they take up more space than other kinds.
While less accurate than other versions, belt-driven jointers are ideal for small workplaces with limited space since they have a smaller working area than stationary jointers.
Benchtop jointers are the smallest choice and are perfect for DIYers on a tight budget who just need simple cuts in softwoods, such as those who make picture frames or furniture legs.
Spiral head jointers provide the highest precision cuts; because of their complexity, they are more expensive and thus better suited to production shops or wealthy hobbyists who want sophisticated cuts beyond clean edges.
- Table Size and Fence Length
Choose the jointer fence length that is best for your particular operation with stock-like flooring planks. The minimum need can be 30 inches or more. Jointer fence length also ranges from 30 inches to 50 inches, depending on the model.
- Motor Power
The amount of power required depends on your project needs. Benchtop variants often employ low-powered motors (usually less than 1 HP). When jointing tougher woods, a high-powered motor (3 HP up) is needed for supporting broader boards (up to 8 inches wide) for deeper jointing passes with cleaner results by eliminating more material each pass.
Choose a machine with at least a 2Hp motor if you only want to use thick boards occasionally. Doing so will prevent the premature dulling of its joints caused by the aggressive cutter head design, which adds friction to the cutting process and can wear out your motor if not regularly oiled.
- Cutter Head Types
Helical-style cutter heads, which employ cutters shaped like screws, give faster feedback than standard heads due to automatic adjustments. When comparing ordinary earlier sled-style cutter heads with carbide inserts and manual height adjustment, depth gauge ” clever screws” are the clear winners.
- Overall Quality & Durability
Brand-name products tend to last longer before needing maintenance, relieving anxiety during cooldown, but they can be more expensive to replace if they fail. Instead, spend a little more now on a trusted brand with a solid support staff so you won’t have to worry about it later.
FAQ
Carbide-tipped planer knives and jointer knives are the finest options for a jointer blade. Each planer knife and jointer knife are made from a steel and carbide combination that is more durable than other brands of blades on the market and can withstand the high-speed pressures present within your jointer or planer.
You shouldn’t run a jointer over anything that could contain screws, nails, or any other form of the metallic object. Always work near the jointer’s cutter head when standing by its side. A supervisor’s approval is required for all configurations except edging and facing.
The jointer you choose will determine how long it serves you; therefore, it’s best to select the one made of the most metal possible. Cast iron is the most robust material for the jointer’s infeed and outfeed tables. Also, because of its durability and lightweight, aluminum is often employed for various components.
A jointer can straighten and correct up a board’s edge and face. A planer ensures that both sides of your boards have the same thickness and are parallel. You can’t use one machine instead of the other for a given task.
In addition to being able to join bigger boards, the additional length of an 8-inch jointer’s infeed and outfeed beds provides the lumber with a more stable surface on which to be worked. Also, 8-inch jointers may be reasonably priced for most home workshops specializing in woodworking.
Final Verdict
Hopefully, the information above regarding the 7 Best Jointers for the money will help you pick up the ideal product.
The PORTER-CABLE Benchtop Jointer is ranked first on this list of recommended tools. The product’s efficiency and flexibility are demonstrated by its ability to change pace. The second tool is the CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Jointer, which has an adjustable cutter head speed that enables you to use it on various board types.
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