I'm trying to figure out whether it's smart for someone just starting out to invest in a jointer that has straight blades while pairing it with a spiral cutter thicknesser. Since my budget is tight, I keep thinking that, ultimately, the thicknesser does the finishing work. So even if the jointer isn't perfect, maybe it won't hurt the overall result by much?
8 Answers
Honestly, if you're just starting, getting straight blades for both tools is perfectly fine. I did that and haven't had any regrets in the five years I've been using them!
I’ve got a DeWalt 734 thicknesser with straight blades and it works flawlessly. No snipe and the finish is so smooth that I often skip sanding.
That's exactly what I do! I don’t rely on the jointer for a perfect finish; it's usually the thicknesser that gets me closer to that. Plus, I find it easier to set up and sharpen the jointer's knives compared to the straight ones in the thicknesser.
Just a heads-up, though — not all terms are used correctly in lower-priced machines. Spiral and helical cutters get mixed up a lot, even by manufacturers. If the cutters cut perpendicular to the wood, the results can be about the same or even worse than straight blades. Honestly, I’d suggest going for a helical jointer and a straight blade thicknesser if you're aiming to save money.
If you’re tight on cash, I’d suggest checking out used jointers! You can often find decent 4” ones and pair them with a new lunchbox thicknesser, then upgrade to spiral later if needed.
That's a solid approach! Straight blades can handle a ton of lumber just fine. A spiral cutter on the thicknesser definitely provides a nicer finish, especially if you're dealing with tricky grain patterns.
The jointer is definitely a worthwhile investment. A thicknesser is great, but you still need to get your edges squared. You’ll find the jointer really useful if you start dealing with rough lumber.
Totally agree! If you're working with gnarly wood, using a straight blade jointer to flatten it and then running it through a spiral thicknesser really makes sense. I've had great results with my straight blade jointer too!