I'm looking to expand my workshop for milling rough lumber and I've got a table saw already. I'm considering getting a planer as my next tool. Initially, I was leaning towards the Dewalt DW735 since it's popular in smaller workshops. However, I came across the Grizzly G0959 which is a planer/jointer combo with a helical head, and Jet also offers a 10-inch planer/jointer. The Grizzly is the most budget-friendly of the three. I'm curious if anyone has experience comparing these planers. Is a jointer worth it, or should I aim for two separate machines? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
I own separate jointer and planer, and when my planer died, I got a new Oliver planer with a helical Byrd head. It's a game changer, seriously! Now I'm tempted to upgrade my jointer as well, but I know it's not going to be worth it just yet.
Having both a jointer and a planer is definitely ideal if you have the space. Those combo machines are convenient, but setting them up can be cumbersome over time. You can definitely work with just a planer and some jigs for your table saw if you're tight on space. I've got a Metabo DH 330 and a Bosch table saw, and they've served me well. If I had the option, I’d opt for quality used equipment from woodworking shops because they outclass the job site tools.
I’d recommend going for the Dewalt planer. It’s a solid workhorse that can handle jointer tasks with some effort. Once you’re ready to dive into jointing, you’ll find the space for a dedicated jointer. Keep an eye out for used tools; there's often great deals if you're willing to put in some legwork.
I haven't personally used a combo jointer/planer, but based on experience, they often don't perform as well as dedicated machines.
The only combo machine I've used was a high-end Felder model, and it did an amazing job at both tasks. But it was super expensive!