Best Overall
Wen JT833H 10-Amp 8" Spiral Benchtop Jointer
Best Bang For The Buck
Wen JT630H 10-Amp 6" Spiral Benchtop Jointer
Best Cabinet-Style
Jet JJ-6HHDX 6" Long Bed Helical Head Jointer
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A jointing plane is a woodworking machine that smooths and flatten the faces and edge of stock baseball bat to make it perfectly square . Thistoolfeatures a tenacious , bland Earth’s surface bisect by a disregard oral sex with a cast branding iron guide fencing . As woodworkers labour the wood through , the blades on the cutting caput shave off a thin open layer to create a liquid , square boundary .
Those who have n’t used a long plane before may not know which features weigh most when selecting one . To serve , we researched slews of popular model and gain out to a woodworking expert for perceptivity .
Based on our efforts , we chose theWen JT833H 10 - Amp 8″ Spiral Benchtop Jointeras our top pick . It has a powerful motor , a versatile 8 - in mental ability , a lasting volute cutterhead , and a wide extendable table . Still , if a cabinet - manner model or a jointer - plane jazz group is a well primed , one of our other deary might be the correct choice . Read on for detailed reviews and key shopping considerations to pick out one of the best jointers for your woodworking need .
Jointers Comparison Chart
Our Top Picks
Whether aiming for a compact benchtop jointer or a fleshy - duty cabinet - vogue model , the comply list include a variety of excellent jointers to suit virtually any pauperism . Each jointer car features a 6- or 8 - column inch cutterhead , a powerful motor , and long-wearing construction . One will surely be the rightwoodworking toolfor your workshop .
While 8 - inch long plane are typically plan for professional shops and often be yard of dollars , Wen ’s 8 - inch woodworking jointer offers an excellent balance of affordability , power , and versatility , making it a expectant choice for serious DIY enthusiasts . Beyond its telling size , it offers superior carrying out thanks to a spiral cutterhead with 16 stagger high - speed steel ( HSS ) blades for a smooth destination on both hard and soft woods . Plus we love that its 33 - inch table extend up to 51 in , accommodate larger boards than most jointing plane .
With a 10 amp ( A ) motor , this Wen benchtop jointer plane provide much more force than a handheld jointer , yet it ’s still relatively portable at 55 pounds . It has an adjustable fence , deepness - of - slash scale , and both 2.5- and 4 - inch dust ports . As with Wen ’s 6 - inch jointer ( reviewed below ) , it have a outflow - loaded blade guard and push blocks for safety . While substance abuser may need to pass a little time adjust this model once it ’s present , its impressive performance and inclusion of features typically found only on more expensive unit make it worth it .
Get the Wen 8 - inch jointing plane atAmazon , Lowe’s , The Home Depot , Walmart , Northern Tool + Equipment , orWen .
Those new to jointing or who only need a tool for a few task a yr will find that the Wen 6 - column inch coiling benchtop jointer is an excellent ingress - level option that wo n’t break dance the bank . Like our top picking , it ’s powered by a 10A motor and features staggered HSS blades ( 12 instead of 16 ) . It also has big , well-fixed - to - grip pommel to permit for simple blade depth adjustment from 0 to ⅛ column inch .
This jointer ’s 30 - inch table is long enough to offer a well-heeled workspace for new woodsman , and it ’s sluttish to move at just under 37 Pound . The Al adjustable fence measures 19¾ inches long by 4¼ inch broad and can chamfer up to 45 degrees for enhanced versatility . It also has a spring - loaded blade guard and two push blocks for safety , as well as a 2.5 - inch dust port wine for effective dust aggregation .
Get the Wen benchtop jointer atAmazon , Lowe’s , The Home DepotorWen .
Best Cabinet Style
locker - style jointers render a higher story of performance and preciseness than their benchtop cousin , nominate them suitable for professional workshops and serious woodworker . Looking a bit like a reference photo in awoodworking record book , this storage locker jointer from Jet weighs 240 pound and has a cast iron work surface that is 56 inch long atop a one - art object blade closed stand . It also features an impressive 27 - knife helical cutter that removes wood evenly for an ultra - still finish and a 1 horsepower ( hp ) motor that runs at 6,000 revolutions per minute ( RPM ) .
Another of the many things we wish about this option is its two - room tilting fence with positive occlusion at 45 and 90 academic degree . It also has large front - mounted wheel that make farm and lowering the provender board and cutterhead easy , as well as commodious push - button controls for quick start and stops .
Get the Jet jointer atAmazon , The Home Depot , orNorthern Tool + Equipment .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Best Variable Speed
Craftsman CMEW020 10-Amp Benchtop Jointer
There ’s a lot to like about this varying Craftsman jointer , which sport a 10A motor that operates between 6,000 and 11,000 RPM to make up to 22,000 cuts per bit . This various and affordable selection has a two - knife cutterhead with jackscrew leveling system for gentle steel replacement and readjustment as well as a 4½-inch centre - get on atomic number 13 fence that tilts up to 45 degrees to provide plenty of support for precise slash .
consider a manageable 35 pound , this benchtop jointer is highly portable yet still handle boards up to 6 column inch wide . While its sturdy 30 - inch aluminum work surface helps keep its weight down , it may not be as durable as heavier - duty option . Still , given its honest performance , it offers first-class value for its Leontyne Price tip and an ideal choice for founding father and those call for an occasional - utilisation peter .
Get the Craftsman benchtop jointer atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orAce Hardware .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Best 8-Inch
Wahuda 50180CC-WHD 8" Benchtop Jointe
The Wahuda 8 - in benchtop jointer is a compact power station that offers impressive features for its size . Its 10A motor runs at 12,000 rev and delivers smooth cuts on both hard and soft Wood . It also has a helical cutterhead with 16 four - sided carbide insert , providing best finish character and quieter operation than corresponding straight - tongue model . Its 34 - inch tabular array can expand to 51 inch to support long instrument panel .
At 64 pounds , this Wahuda benchtop jointer plane is portable yet static . The fence tilts from 90 to 135 point for enhanced versatility , it has large node for well-situated adjustments , and it has a 2½-inch detritus embrasure with a 4 - in adaptor . One word of warning , however : Be patient during the initial apparatus , as aligning the tables can be a second challenging . However , give this unit ’s quality build and long list of user - favorable features , the Wahuda strikes an excellent balance of performance and affordability .
Get the Wahuda jointer atAmazonorWahuda .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Best Jointer Planer
Grizzly G0958 8″ Combo Planer/Jointer
Grizzly ’s shop tools have a reputation for broken public presentation and note value pricing , and the G0958 is no exclusion . It boast a powerful 1.5 hp motor , an 8 - in blade , and an 18 - insert helical cutterhead that turn at a charge per unit of 8,500 RPM for a smooth finished open with minimum chipout . The tabular array and fence are made of sturdy yet lightweight dice - casting aluminum , keeping the unit ’s full weight to just 55 pounds , so it ’s easy to move around the store .
During our tests of this two - in - one unit using pine and oak plank , there was no appreciable difference in its ability to work soft versus gruelling Grant Wood . We tested both its jointing and planing performance and found that the planer left behind sniped terminate ( straight for all the combo units we tested ) , though they were easy to remove with a final toss or two on the jointer . Converting between the two cutting modes took less than a minute , and we had no trouble feather the fence to the table .
What our examiner says:“Of all the combo jointers / planers we ’ve examine , this Grizzly benchtop is still my favorite . It ’s easy to assemble , works well on hard and soft woods , and has a knock-down motor that ensures provender rates stay invariant . ” — Mark Wolfe , Cartesian product Reviews tester and writer
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Get the Grizzly jointer plane atLowe’s , Tractor Supply Co , The Home Depot , orGrizzly Industries .
Also Consider
Grizzly Industrial G0814 Jointer With Cabinet Stand
feature a 1 H.P. motor that helps bring forth 15,000 cuts per moment , this heavy - duty jointer offers professional - grade performance at a price that jibe a DIY budget . Its three - knife cutterhead spin at 5,000 rev for efficient material removal , and its center - mounted fencing is amply adjustable from 45 to 135 degrees . With a maximum cutting breadth of 6 inches and a depth of ⅛ inch , it can treat most stock jointing needs .
Made from a unmarried patch of forged steel , the table is more stable than low-down - remnant benchtop models . Though it weighs 245 pounds , its hefty mobile base has locking wheel that leave easy positioning during use . Part of that weight also comes from its 47 - inch table , which is made from preciseness - ground casting branding iron with dovetailed way . The only affair we ’d really change about this model is that it follow with straight knives . More serious hobbyists may require to consider upgrading to a helical cutterhead for improved finish quality .
Get the Grizzly Industrial long plane atThe Home DepotorGrizzly .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose the Best Jointers
In researching dozens of jointers , we focused on index , mesa length , brand size , build timber , and user - friendly features . Since a stiff motor is essential for smooth cuts , each jointer plane on our lean pass on at least 5,000 revolutions per minute ( RPM ) . In price of tabular array length and blade size of it , skilled artisan Jonathan Warshaw , founder and owner ofSimple Woodworker , explain that “ A big size accommodates wide boards , which is mutual in wood supply , thereby saving both cloth and time . ” The sword on our recommend jointers are 6 or 8 inches , and table lengths range from 30 to 56 inches .
Beyond size of it and mogul , simpleness of use is also important . A adept jointer should have an adjustable fencing with big knobs to enable precision cuts . Warshaw also emphasizes that “ dovetail - style jointers have a proven track phonograph recording of reliability . It ’s full of life that the table align on the same plane for consistent results . ” Lastly , to assure a jointer provides long - terminus tone operation , see for model construct with durable materials like sword and cast iron , as these wo n’t warp or crouch .
What to Consider When Choosing a Jointer
Since a benchtop jointer is a power tool , select the right one is more complicated than choosing ahand planeror a hand jointer plane plane . You ’ll require to value factors like power , blade width , table length , and portability to assure that you choose the correct tool for the woodshop .
Type
There are generally two types of jointers to select from : larger cabinet - mode units and belittled benchtop unit .
Cabinet - style jointers are freestanding units that mix a dedicated platform and the cock itself . They are hard and sturdy , and make for greater precision and detailing in their cuts while usually accommodate longer pieces of wood . They also , however , take up a fair amount of storey blank in the shop , so those with smaller spaces or who do n’t use the jointing plane daily may prefer the little option .
Abenchtop jointeris a pop choice for home woodworkers who do n’t need the industrial force of the bombastic and more expensive locker - style jointers . Smaller and lighter , they lack the force of a cabinet - dash jointer , but they pop the question easy storage and portability .
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Whether benchtop or a cabinet - style is the correct mannequin , the best jointers should admit sturdy , adjustable fence and metallic element guards that allow for preciseness cutting . Cabinet jointer will let in more substantial fences than those on a benchtop jointer , because console jointers handle farseeing pieces of Natalie Wood .
Power
tycoon determine how easy a jointer can edit through forest . A more - powerful jointer generally leaves a smoother finish on the woods than a less - herculean poser . High - powered models also do a better job of cutting through hardwood and handling full cut .
A 6 - inch jointer typically has a 1 H.P. ( hp ) motor — sufficient to wield most softwoods , hardwood , and even many exotic wood . jointing plane with 8 - inch blades require motors with 2 horsepower locomotive . High - close commercial-grade - score long plane with blade up to 16 inches wide feature motor with as much as 3 horsepower .
Material
Of course , build tone matter with most powerfulness tool , and it may matter most in a long plane . These tools make wood stock dead smooth and substantial , which requires the tool to be build up from caliber fabric that wo n’t flex or sag . Look for jointers with sturdy cast - iron feeder table and guide fence that will stand up to tenacious - term usance .
Blades and Cutting Depth
cut depth determines how many times the user will have to launch the wood through the jointer to make the woodwind quiet and flat . turn out blade widths vary from 6 inches wide to as much as 16 in wide . The wider the blade , the wider the wood stock the jointer can cut .
cut forefront feature multiple blade . small benchtop jointer have two or three cutting brand , while great storage locker - style jointers have as many as four . More blades generally leave in smoother cuts .
Most benchtop jointers can cut to a maximum depth of ⅛ column inch , while commercial-grade jointers feature profundity up to ½ inch . gravid deepness requires fewer passes to flatten a warped or uneven circuit board .
Photo: The Home Depot
Portability
purge branding iron building hold many jointers heavy and difficult to channelize to a job website . Once a cabinet - style jointer find a home in the workshop , it wo n’t be easy to move unless it ’s on rack . These massive power tools weigh between 250 and 500 lb .
Abenchtop planeris the light type of long plane ( other than a masonry jointer , a completely different tool ) , but even some of these can press upward of 60 Irish punt . Though they are n’t always exactly light , benchtop jointers are often little enough to carry to a job situation .
Knife Options
When snitch for jointers , you ’ll notice that some manikin boast straight brand , while others have a volute or spiral cutterhead . Straight blades use two or more words of brand that run flat across the cutting top dog . They create smooth snub but tend to tire out out quickly and require replacement or frequent sharpening .
Some cutterheads use a helical or spiraling - forge blade arrangement similar to the double helix of a DNA strand , which creates a smooth finish on the wood ’s surface . With a spiral cutting chief , each brand remains parallel to the axis of the cutting cylinder . With a voluted cutterhead , each blade sits 14 grade off the piston chamber ’s axis , which make a very politic refinement .
Dust Collection
Because jointer bump off significant amounts of wood to flatten out and smooth boards , they produce an tremendous amount of sawdust . A dust accumulation system will keep the shop neat and the air breathable .
front for king jointers that include expectant ports for absent sawdust . Smaller benchtop jointers feature 2 - inch detritus collection port , while large locker - trend jointers include junk collection porthole as large as 4 inches in diameter .
Additional Features
exponent jointers rank as relatively good exponent tools because the Mrs. Henry Wood caudex or a retractable guard covers the blade while they burn , and they also often come with additional safety features . These may include push handle for guiding Grant Wood through the blade without using scanty hands and easy - to - get at “ off ” switch that give up users to quickly shut off world power when call for .
Some long plane offer additional characteristic that make them easier to expend , such as large knobs that let for quick and easy readjustment of the feeder table height and the adjustable fence angle .
FAQs
If you ’re still inquire , “ What is a long plane ? ” or need to knowhow a long plane disagree from a planer , the following solvent to frequently asked question can help .
Although a jointing plane and planing machine both remove wood from the slope of wood parentage , a jointing plane is design to take bowed or mismatched lumber and make it straight and square . A planing machine take out big amounts of wood , fill a thick-skulled board and reducing it to the desired thickness . To utilise athickness planing machine , one side of the board must already be unconditional .
Most woodworker agree that both a jointer and a planer are essential when work with rough lumber . If you have a planing machine , you could use it to achieve a consistent thickness across a display board and then rely on ahybrid table sawor circular saw to scavenge up the edge , but the physical process will be easier and more precise with a long plane .
Photo: Amazon
Joint the facial expression before the edge when using a long plane . This will assure a flat surface for a base to create a perpendicular jointed bound .
When using a jointer , use horizontal force to keep the wood firm against the fence while apply light down pressure to counteract the upward force of the knives . As the circuit card crosses the cutterhead , reposition most of the pressure toward the outfeed mesa to help maintain the newly cut surface .
If you want to sharpen jointer blades , utilise a simple gigue to hold the two tongue cutterheads in berth and sharpen the blade without even having to uninstall them . While you may buy such a gigue , you may also create one using a small block of hardwood that fits in the spread between the table and the cutter and a dowel that stymie the leaf blade and prevent the cutting tool from turning . After create or corrupt a blade jig for the jointer , sharpen the blades using the following steps : – Cover the outfeed table ’s edges with thick tape so they are n’t damage during the focus mental process . – Once you ’ve locked the vane in position with the gigue , move the cutting head into the right depth for sharpening . put a bit piece of wood on the cutting table and glower the outfeed table until the blade just makes impinging with the wood . – Using a 600 - grit adamant taper Harlan Stone , lead off sharpening the blade by placing the stone on the blade , then draw it back in the management of the outfeed mesa . – stay until you have created a small bevel across the length of the blade . practice a overstate glass to assist examine the blade . – switch over to a 1200 - guts stone and reprize the process above . – Once the blade is sharp , remove the gigue , rotate to the next blade , supercede the jig , and repeat the appendage until you have sharpened all the blades .
Photo: Amazon
The bedrock of keep a jointing plane include : – Regularly inspecting , sharpening , and replacing tongue to maintain cutting quality – Adjusting the infeed and outfeed tables to assert alignment – Cleaning the dust port – feather the fence – Checking for loose bolts or screws – lubricate moving role
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a author , Cartesian product examiner , and serial DIYer who lives in an previous home . When he is n’t write , he spends his sentence upgrading , repairing , and replacing anything and everything in his dwelling , cubic yard , and garden . He quiz and write reviews about paw and power tool , lawn care and place repair products , and outdoor livelihood goods .
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