I'm in the process of restoring an old house and planning on tackling some custom woodwork projects like built-ins for a closet, benches for a mudroom, paneling and wainscoting for the bathroom, and stairs. My main material will be quarter sawn white oak, and I also have some old studs and large 6x posts to repurpose. I used to have a jointer but no longer own one, so I'm looking for recommendations.
I feel like a 6" jointer might suffice for my needs, but I've seen many people suggesting that an 8" is the way to go. I have room for a floor model, and I'm curious about the downsides of opting for a benchtop model instead. Is it true that helical heads offer significant advantages? Lastly, I've seen some older models for sale in the marketplace—what should I consider if I decide to go that route, and are replacement blades still easy to find for those older machines?
3 Answers
Helical heads can be great, especially for dealing with tricky old wood. But watch out; not all benchtops labeled 'helical' have true helical heads—they might just have a fewer segmented cutters. I started with a 6" floor model and had a rough time with a 10" benchtop. Go for a good floor model if you can. Regarding replacements, straight knives work well, but watch out for clogging if you're dealing with long chips. I'm on the hunt for a solid 16" model now—still can't decide on knife types!
I scooped up a used 6" Grizzly jointer and it was a mess when I got it—blades were shot! Once I swapped them out, it worked wonders. Honestly, I’ve never felt the need for a wider unit yet; I mainly do glue-ups with smaller pieces. For larger work, I just run it through the bandsaw instead of investing in a bigger jointer right now. Helical heads really do give a smoother finish, though—definitely consider that if you're working with old wood that might have hidden nails!
If budget isn't a huge concern, I'd definitely go for a new 8" helical head jointer. You’ll appreciate the extra mass and longer table length, which makes flattening boards a breeze. If you're looking to save money, a used 6" might do just fine—especially if you can find one with a table longer than 48". Either way, you can sell the 6" later if you decide to upgrade. Plus, buying new blades is generally easy!