If you are looking for a tool to give you properly milled boards then you are definitely looking for a jointer. Not just any jointer, of course, but the best woodworking jointer. You no longer have to waste time on unproductive searches, this guide provides you with only the best options.
Best Woodworking Jointer
In this guide, we picked out 6 of the best woodworking jointers that can help you create the best-flattened wood pieces for your project. Let’s take a closer look.
1. 6” Bench Top Jointer 37-071
The heavy and durable cast iron gives the jointer extra weight for stability and greatly reduces vibrations. The fence adjustment system tilts up to 90 and 45 degrees in and out and the machine has a capacity of 20,000 cuts per minute.
Specifications
- Manufacturer – Delta Power Tools
- Part number – 37-071
- Product dimensions – 17×28.5×13 inches
- Voltage – 120 volts
- Number of handles – 2
- Item weight – 76 pounds
- Power source – AC
- Warranty – 5 years
Pros
- Durable
- Efficient
- 5 year warranty
- sturdy
Cons
- Repair parts may be difficult to find
2. CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Jointer, 10-Amp (CMEW020)
What sets the Craftsman apart from other jointers? The 10 amp wood flattener features variable speed between the ranges of 6,000–11,000 RPM with 12,000–22,000 cuts per minute. Knife replacement is easy and allows you to make changes whenever you want.
The 10 amp motor provides enough power for heavy-duty woodwork and lasts through long hours of work. The Craftsman is certainly worth every cent.
Specifications
- Manufacturer – CRAFTSMAN
- Part number – CMEW020
- Item weight – 40 pounds
- Package dimensions – 32×12.5×11.5 inches
Pros
- Durable
- High Capacity
- Portable
- Efficient
Cons
- Requires technical know-how
3. PORTER-CABLE Benchtop Jointer, Variable Speed, 6-Inch (PC160JT)
Another essential feature is the two knife cutter head and jackscrew knife level arrangement, which is perfect for making easy adjustments and replacing knives that are less than functional.
The extra spacious table provides ample space for woodwork and a 6 inch wide flattening area. The fence is conveniently mounted in the center for support and accurate edge jointing.
If you are looking for a jointer you can trust for urgent woodwork such as cabinet designs, kitchen refurbishing, furniture, personal library, the Porter-Cable jointer is your best bet for excellent shaping and refining. The versatility depends on the experience of the product user. With the easy-to-use jointer, you should be able to handle any flattening and squaring like a pro.
Specifications
- Manufacturer – PORTER-CABLE
- Part number – PC160JT
- Weight of the product – 35 pounds
- Product dimensions – 32.1×12.4×11.2 inches
- Material – sheet metal
- Battery – none included, none required
Pros
- Convenient
- Efficient
- Durable
- Saves time
Cons
- Not ideal for beginners
4. RIKON 20-800H| 8” Benchtop Jointer with a 6-Row Helical-Style Cutter Head with 16 Carbide, 2-Edge Insert Cutters for Super Cutting Action, Flat Surfacing Results, and Easy Knife Changes
Other features include solid metal construction, machined aluminum tabletop, depth and scale settings, a 90o to 45O adjustable fence, safety guard with springs, dust ports (4” and 2-1/2”), and safety switches.
That is literally everything you need to churn out excellently shaped wood.
Specifications
- Manufacturer – RIKON Power Tools
- Part number – 20-800H
- Material – steel
Pros
- Durable
- Sturdy
- Efficient
- Saves time
Cons
- Not beginner friendly
5. Powermatic 1610086K Model 60HH 8-Inch 2 HP 1-Phase Jointer with Helical Cutterhead
An Infeed table is also used to position table height, and the handle can be rotated for more suitable adjustments. The 73” long table provides support and the non-mar fence insert also protects the table surface.
The operating switch is strategically mounted for convenience. The jointer also comes with a three-knife cutterhead, or helical cutter with a four-sided knife insert.
Specifications
- Manufacturer – Powermatic
- Part number – 60 HH
- Weight – 518 pounds
- Dimensions – 25x73x46 inches
- Model number – 1610086K
- Voltage – 230 volts
- Horsepower -2 hp
- Battery – none included, none required
- Warranty – 5 years
Pros
- Durable
- Efficient
- Sturdy
- Time-saving
- 5 year warranty
Cons
- Professional use only
6. Powermatic 1791307 Model 1285 3 HP 1-phase 12-Inch Jointer with Helical Cutterhead
The improved design has a helical system for quickly changing knives out with minimal or no adjustments. The 12-inch jointer has settings for cut depth and a lock system.
The Powermatic is unique, both in its design and functionality. Its prowess is like none other and it delivers maximum power for work any day, any time.
It is a great power tool for professionals and those starting out a career in woodwork.
Specifications
- Manufacturer – Powermatic
- Part number – 1285
- Weight – 880 pounds
- Dimension – 90.5x 41×29.5 inches
- Model number – 1791307
- Horsepower – 3
- Warranty – 1 year
Pros
- Durable
- Efficient
- Sturdy
- Easy to use
- 1 year warranty
Cons
- Expensive
Buyers’ Guide
The furniture building experience is quite expansive with lots of tools to get accustomed to, as well as their functions. Woodworking has a lot of facets to it, and even though there are often tools that have dual applications and can do what other tools can, it is usually best to stick to a tool that is designed for the specific function you need at a given time.
Setting the foundation for a building process reuires a lot of planning. Whether it’s cutting, shaping, or milling, you have to follow a process if you want to achieve perfection. Jointers have one specific function, to give you a nicely flattened wood surface that has no curves, elevations, or twists at any angle.
Woodworkers have used jointers for years to produce well-flattened, coplanar, lumber while making furniture, buildings, and other structures. There is no better way to get wood nice and flat on all ends than using a jointer.
Jointer vs. Planer
People who work with wood often ask, why do you need a jointer if you have a planer? That’s a great question. Now, a jointer is used to flatten wood in order to remove twists, bows, cups, warps, and other inadequacies, making your construction process smoother. The planer, on the other hand, makes things parallel and or creates consistent thickness across the wood.
Both power tools are essential in their own way and if you want to get a wood that is free of deformities and also consistently thick then run the wood on a jointer and after you achieve smooth and even flatness, then run the wood on a planer for consistency thickness.
A planer cannot do the job of a jointer, period. With a planer, instead of flattening your board as you’d like, it’s just going to follow the curvature that already exists on the board. You’ll get a consistent thickness from end to end, but the bow on the wood will remain.
Some may also attempt to use a table saw in the place of a jointer, this of course requires some level of professionalism.
Do I Need a Woodworking Jointer?
Are you just starting out in your woodwork profession or have you been in it for years? Take a little survey of the professional woodworking shops around your vicinity or beyond and you will likely notice that most high-end wood workshops are making their processes seamless with the aid of a jointer. The tool makes the faces of boards and the adjacent edges perfectly flat and perpendicular to one another.
To decide if it’s a good move for you to get a jointer you have to consider what your raw materials look like. Do you work with rough wood?
If you do then you absolutely cannot do without a jointer, you may find your way around it with other tools but you’d likely spend more time, effort, and resources compared to the quick slicing of the jointer.
How Does a Jointer Work?
We have successfully established that you need a jointer to flatten a surface, but how does the jointer work? It’s quite simple; the jointer consists of an infeed table, cutter head, and an outfeed table that work together to produce the well-flattened stock.
As you feed your uneven wood into the cutterhead, the material is flattened and is made parallel to the outfeed platform. In some cases, you may need to pass the wood over the jointer a few times to achieve a flatter surface until you are satisfied with the results.
While using a jointer, it would be counterintuitive to apply downward pressure on the wood that’s being flattened. The best way to use a jointer is to apply as little pressure as necessary while passing the wood through the jointer. The pressure on the wood should mostly be forward to get the best result.
The Fence
Another feature of the jointer is the fence. This helps to balance your board upwards on the jointer when you are trying to get a cutting angle. All you have to do is rest your wood against the fence for support, then pass your wood across the jointer.
Jointers on the Market
There are myriads of jointers on the market and finding the exact type may seem easy until you are faced with a number of options. We have taken that into consideration in this guide and have highlighted some of the best woodworking jointers available.
There are a few characteristics you should look out for when purchasing the best woodworking jointer.
- Open stand, benchtop design, or closed stand – Most jointers come in these 3 designs so you can pick one according to your preference.
- Horsepower – Ideally, you should lookout for a 1 horsepower jointer as this is standard for cutting wood of all types.
- Cutting depth and the bed width – Bed width determines the degree of usefulness of the machine while cutting depth determines how many times you may have to pass wood over the machine to achieve the best result. The bed width may determine how expensive or affordable your jointer is.
- Dust collection port – The jointer generates a significant amount of dust and debris. Make sure that your jointer of choice comes with a dust collection system.
- Adjustable fence – The fence is instrumental to the accuracy of the cutting so it is important to pick a jointer that comes with multiple, adjustable stops installed.
- Warranty – A newly purchased woodworking jointer with a good warranty is always an added advantage.
Conclusion
These are our top picks for the best woodworking jointers in the market. You are certainly going to get your money’s worth with these. If you are starting out a career or hobby in woodwork and have a need for the best jointers, you can also check out the customer reviews on these machines to see just how popular they are with industry professionals.