Another jointer question (seems to be a million of them!) Hope this is a bit different from the many others I have read here. Given finances, I cannot get the jointer of my dreams. Like a million newbes, I was thinking about a 6 inch delta or jet but noticed a 6 inch Pwermatic in a local shop with a much longer bed. (66" vs. 46".) I can just about swing the price (under $700) and am under the impression that Powermatic is quite a good brand. Am I right? The machine looked great, though I did not pull out a straightedge or square yet. On the other hand, for the same money I can get a higher Hp (1 1/2 vs. 1Hp), 8 inch Grizzly with a higher RPM. Since I cannot see the Grizzly, and must get it through the mail, I am not as secure in such a purchase. I know some folk like the Grizzlys, but am under the impression it is not as good a brand as powermatic. Is the higher quality of powermatic a better choice? (I know it partly depends on how likely I am to want to joint 8 inch boards: truth is when gluing up a table top, I have usually ripped larger boards down to less than six inches, often four inches, and them glued them up. I guess if I had an 8 inch jointer I might joint 8 inch boards, though.)
General questions: how important is RPM? Oddly, the $800 Grizzly has lower RPM than the $700 Grizzly, 3450 vs. 5000, according to toolseeker.com.
Also, do handwheels vs. levers make much difference? Is one supposed to be better than the other? Advertisers seem to say which ever one their product has is better!
Thanks for the help. Sanford Levy