Jointers and Planers, Oh my!

Matt · 2005-03-17T21:32:11+00:00

Here goes, my first post...I'm in the market for a jointer and a planer. I've searched the wreckarchives and googled a bunch as well. I've narrowed down the field butstill have a need for opinions.First, the jointer.It seems that the creme-de-la-creme in the 6" field is the Powermatic54A. Long, stout, cast iron beds and quality construction throughout.Three knife cutter head and TEFC motor. However, the price tag isquite high at $799. Next down the ladder is the Jet JJ-6CSX. Shortercast iron beds, three knife cutter head... Price $599. Further downthe ladder still is the Borg Special, Ridgid JP0610. Beds approx thesame length as the Jet, three knife cutter, price $350. I've come froma background where the adage was, when in doubt look at the weight.Heavy makes better. The Powermatic wins hands down. However theRidgid and the Jet are within 20% on weight. There also are somecomplicating factors to this that I will get to in a minute...Obviously the Powermatic is the first choice (if money and time was nota concern, but it is). Is the benefit of the Powermatic worth savingfor a few extra months to get the Powermatic? For the lower twochoices, would I be crazy to consider the Borg Special? Or is the Jetthat much better quality?Second the planer.I have read many favorable reviews about the DeWalt 735. Three knifecutter, robust build, quality results, dust collection ready. Pricedat $499. However, right now on Amazon, they are touting $100 off yournext purchase of Powermatic, Jet or Powermax when you purchase aqualified product. If I go with one of the top two jointer choices, Icould apply the discount to the planer. Jet makes a 13 inch planer,JWD-13DX and retails for $419. However, it has a 2 knife cutter head,not dust collection ready. Is the three knife cutterhead on the DeWaltworth ignoring this discount?Comments, concerns, flames?ThanksMattBeginning workdorker extrodinaire

Mar 17, 2005 29 Replies

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David 21 years ago

Are you always this clueless? There are true spiral cutterheads available through other mfgrs. sigh.

Dave

Larry Jaques wrote:

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David 21 years ago

oh, Google "oliver jointer". olivermachinery.net

Sometimes I wonder why I bother...

Dave

David wrote:

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CW 21 years ago

I doubt it. A spiral is shaped like a cone. Helical cutterheads, yes. As for Larry, usually.

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CW 21 years ago

It's not named correctly either.

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George 21 years ago

Because if it were, it would be called a helical stair.

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CW 21 years ago

Because it is not a spiral. I just looked it up and, like a lot of words that are commonly misused, the definition of spiral has been bastardized. In my line of work, where geometric correctness is important, no one would ever interchange the terms.

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Duane Bozarth 21 years ago

...regarding "spiral" vs "helical"...

...

From 1a (emphasis added)... ...around a central point

"It" here refers to the central point (axis). The definition isn't all that well written, but is basically correct. If the stair diameter increases or decreases as the elevation changes, then it is a spiral--if it doesn't (as most) it's a helix.

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Larry Jaques 21 years ago

On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 04:19:26 GMT, the inscrutable "Don" spake:

Well, "while continuously receding from or approaching it" describes a cone perfectly, Don. CW is right. Couldn't they more correctly be called "helical stairways"?

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Duane Bozarth 21 years ago

...

usage...

The geometric definition of a helix is the straight line drawn on the surface of a cylinder. The Oxford dictionary lists the first definition (common usage) as "spiral". From a geometrical viewpoint, the rail of what you defined as a spiral stair is, in fact, a helix.

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Larry Jaques 21 years ago

On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 17:11:04 GMT, the inscrutable "Don" spake:

No, it's a coil, a helix.

That's marketing terminology for you.

======================================================== Was that an African +

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or European Swallow? + Gourmet Web Applications ========================================================

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