Considering Getting A Jointer

[Joe W.]

Greetings all,

Thanks to all who responded.
I went down the research rabbit hole regarding jointing/jointers and decided to swerve left at the decision point and get a router and routing table to do my edge jointing for panel glue-ups. 
I have the DW734 Planer for doing the panel faces and will use the router for the edges.
I have an old (43+ years) 1/4" plunge router, but the end where the collet goes into is buggered up and it takes many choice words along with much effort to remove a bit from it when I want to change bits. 
So, I decided to start with a router for jointing the edges.  I will use the router for other jobs in the event using it to joint with doesn't work out.
I imagine I'll use it mainly on jointing wood 3/4" thick or less.   
Went with the BOSCH 1617EVSPK router and BOSCH RA1171 routing table.  Table is due in today and I built a rolling cart for it out of 2x4s using a free plan from KREG (Rolling Benchtop Tool Stand by DIY Huntress).
Fingers crossed and hoping for the best.  Will let you know.
    

[Freddie]

After you have used the Bosch router table, let me know how you like it. I want a table but no room and most are too expensive. PS. I have had a 6” Delta jointer for many years. I seemed to get better glue joint with table saw and router than the jointer. It is probably the operator but it is an expensive shelf for my wood right now. . Good luck and let us hear about the table

[Bill WIlson]

32 minutes ago, Freddie said:

After you have used the Bosch router table, let me know how you like it. I want a table but no room and most are too expensive. PS. I have had a 6” Delta jointer for many years. I seemed to get better glue joint with table saw and router than the jointer. It is probably the operator but it is an expensive shelf for my wood right now. . Good luck and let us hear about the table

I have that router table.  I like it.  It is light years ahead of my old Craftsman table.  For years I toyed with the idea of building my own table, but never got around to it.  Saw the Bosch on clearance at Lowes a few years ago and bought it on impulse.  Lots of nice features.  The only thing I don't like is how the fence bolts to the table.  The heads of the carriage bolts feel like they would cam out very easily in the grooves of the MDF top.  I try not to tighten them down too hard, but sometimes the fence slips, which is not good.  One of these days I'll have to look at trying to modify the top to address this issue.

[Jim Finn]

I have a Grizzly 6" jointer that I seldom use.  I have a rip saw in my table saw and use it to straighten edges to glue together much more often that using the jointer.

[Joe W.]

On 2/17/2023 at 4:12 PM, Bill WIlson said:

The only thing I don't like is how the fence bolts to the table.  The heads of the carriage bolts feel like they would cam out very easily in the grooves of the MDF top.  I try not to tighten them down too hard, but sometimes the fence slips, which is not good.  One of these days I'll have to look at trying to modify the top to address this issue.

Take a look at this video (along with the comments from people who viewed it.)  I will likely copy what this gentleman did.  In reviewing the AMAZON reviews of people who have bought this table, it seems many commented negatively about the fence, but overall are pleased with the results the router table provides. 
I did get the table yesterday afternoon and first thing I did was inventory the parts, only to find some pieces were missing.  (The tabletop inserts that go around the bit and some of the hardware nuts/bolts/washers). 
I contacted BOSCH about the missing pieces and am expecting them to send me the missing pieces in the next 3-5 days.  
Inventorying the pieces took almost an hour as some of the pieces were partially assembled while the rest were just in bags.  But I'm glad I did the inventory first instead of assuming I had all the parts.  I've gotten cynical over the years and even laid all the parts out and took photos, just in case.
Guess I'll have to find something else to do until the replacement parts arrive.  Heavy sigh.  
    

 

[Gonzo]

I made a jointer sled for my table saw. Works pretty slick. Got the idea from you tube 

[Joe W.]

Well, here it is almost 2 months later.
After the 2nd attempt to get the correct missing hardware for the router table, (got the wrong parts twice) I gave up, returned the table for a refund, and sent a letter to the BOSCH CEO making him aware the company has some problems in the customer service department.
And made my own router table based on a design I found on YouTube.

I have been collecting old discarded furniture over the past year and have a pretty good stockpile. So . . .  
Got straight edges on four 12 inch long, 3-inch wide boards and glued them up.  Very happy with the results. 
Put a pattern on it and cut this easy pattern out.

The wood is 7/16" 5ply from some old chest of drawers.

For my first attempt of jointing and gluing up, I'm right pleased with the results.
Now to get better at matching up the wood pieces color/grain wise.  

  

[Scrappile]

Can't get a much better Joint than that even with a jointer.  

[Gene Howe]

On 2/18/2023 at 9:07 PM, Gonzo said:

I made a jointer sled for my table saw. Works pretty slick. Got the idea from you tube 

Was that from 731 wood works? I've ordered the hardware to make one like his. 

[Jim Finn]

On 2/8/2023 at 4:16 PM, Joe W. said:

Greetings all,

I am interested in getting a jointer and using it to glue up panels I would then use for cutting out scroll saw patterns.  That said, I feel the edge joints need to be tight with no gaps.
I have a DW table saw and planer.
Most of the wood I plan on edge jointing/gluing up would be 24”-36” in length and ½” -3/4” thick. 
I think I’ve narrowed it down to an 8” Benchtop Jointer with possible candidates of Wahuda, Wen, Rikon, and Grizzly. 

I’m looking for opinions/thoughts from anyone out there about getting a benchtop jointer – space and cost are limitations for me. 
I don’t expect to use it for jointing long pieces very often, if at all.
I’ve seen various postings about using a router instead to do the edge jointing and wonder if that’s the way to go instead.
I've also seen some postings that a benchtop jointer doesn't give good results.

So if any of you are out there doing jointing, I’d appreciate learning from your experience.

I have had a benchtop jointer and it served me well, until it died after 9 years of use.  6" is plenty wide  for what you want.  I now use a low tooth count sawblade in my table saw (often called a planer blade) and it makes a cut as good as my jointer does.

Edited April 20, 2023 by Jim Finn

[Joe W.]

1 hour ago, Jim Finn said:

I now use a low tooth count sawblade in my table saw (often called a planer blade) and it makes a cut as good as my jointer does.

I learned something new.  Thanks for that.  Was a little surprised at the cost of one of those.  But if it does the job, I think it might be worth it.

[Gene Howe]

If I worked a production shop, I might consider getting another jointer. I sold my 8" jointer 20 years ago and haven't looked back. There are just too many ways to joint lumber that cost far less in dollars and precious space. 

[rjweb]

Joe good luck with your purchase, i see that nascar is your town this weekend, do you go to the races, RJ

[Joe W.]

On 4/28/2023 at 7:39 PM, rjweb said:

Joe good luck with your purchase, i see that nascar is your town this weekend, do you go to the races, RJ

Thanks RJ,

I'm happy with the first result I got using the router and router table to edge joint and glue up the boards I used to make for cutting out the rabbit pattern.  Looking forward to getting some quality time in to do more of that.
I've been to the NASCAR races a couple times over the past 23 years of living here.  Once to support the high school band and the other time as a spectator.  Man, it was hot that day in the bleachers and between that and the "white noise" of the race cars, it was all I could do to keep from closing my eyes and going to sleep.
Today's race got rained out and rescheduled for tomorrow.
Attendance has gone way down from when I first moved here - so much so, they removed many of the bleacher seats.
Pity - it was good for the local economy.

[OCtoolguy]

On 4/28/2023 at 4:39 PM, rjweb said:

Joe good luck with your purchase, i see that nascar is your town this weekend, do you go to the races, RJ

Rain out!!

 

[OCtoolguy]

10 minutes ago, Joe W. said:

Thanks RJ,

I'm happy with the first result I got using the router and router table to edge joint and glue up the boards I used to make for cutting out the rabbit pattern.  Looking forward to getting some quality time in to do more of that.
I've been to the NASCAR races a couple times over the past 23 years of living here.  Once to support the high school band and the other time as a spectator.  Man, it was hot that day in the bleachers and between that and the "white noise" of the race cars, it was all I could do to keep from closing my eyes and going to sleep.
Today's race got rained out and rescheduled for tomorrow.
Attendance has gone way down from when I first moved here - so much so, they removed many of the bleacher seats.
Pity - it was good for the local economy.

Sad to say, Nascar is doing everything they can to ruin what used to be a great sport. Way too much interference.!

 

[Gene Howe]

1 hour ago, OCtoolguy said:

Sad to say, Nascar is doing everything they can to ruin what used to be a great sport. Way too much interference.!

 

The pencil necked bean counters have ruined it. Long way from it's origins running boot leg liquor. 

[rjweb]

Ray, I agree i have been a nascar fan for over 35 years, have been to many races all over the country,  seen all the old timers retire, and now the next generation is on their way out. Nascar has too much control of everything, I would like to see the owners start their own league, RJ

[Gene Howe]

Still looking for a jointer? I just made this one and, it works great.

 

[OCtoolguy]

On 4/30/2023 at 4:58 PM, rjweb said:

Ray, I agree i have been a nascar fan for over 35 years, have been to many races all over the country,  seen all the old timers retire, and now the next generation is on their way out. Nascar has too much control of everything, I would like to see the owners start their own league, RJ

I would like to see some form of control over Ross Chastain. He is in desperate need of a collar and leash.