Jet JJ-6CSX - Best Jointer for the Money
Written: Aug 19 '01 (Updated Sep 23 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Finish is great. Plenty of power. Good jack-screw cutter. Excellent customer service and great results!
Cons: I wish it was longer and wider.
The Bottom Line: After 4 years, I am convinced that the Jet is the best 6" jointer for $500. I'm now looking at 8-12" jointers.
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| gcavener's Full Review: JET Jj-6csx 6" Open Stand Jointer |
In 1997, I spent several months making my decision about which jointer to buy. I had noticed that I could buy better lumber at a much better price if it was rough sawn, rather than cut to a finished dimension. The finished stuff at the lumber store wasn't really flat and straight and of a consistent dimension. I read dozens of magazine reviews, asked the opinions of woodworkers who use jointers every day, bugged the tool salesmen all over town, etc. By the time I bought the 6" Jet jointer, I was satisfied that it was the best machine for the amount of money I had to spend.
I read through the manual to make sure I put the jointer together right. Piece of cake! I adjusted the infeed and outfeed tables per the instructions and ran a piece of rough sawn cherry over it to check it out. I was really impressed with the great quality of the cut. One of the reasons I bought the Jet was the handwheel adjustment of the infeed and outfeed tables. It is much easier for me to make fine adjustments than using the levers on the Delta and Grizzly jointers. The Jet has a good solid 1 HP 120/230 VAC motor, which is plenty of power for a 6" machine. Epinion's title is incorrect, in that this jointer sits on a very sturdy closed steel cabinet. Make sure you have some help when you get this machine home. It weighs 258 lbs.
The dust collection is very effective, which is important when you're removing so much material. It connects to your dust collector via a 4" dust port. The fence tilts two ways with positive stops at 45 & 90 degrees. I like to use the jointer to put a 45 degree chamfer on the edge of a board. Just watch out for the poorly placed fence handle. It's a knuckle-buster. You can use the jointer for rabbeting if you remove the front blade guard. The only times you would want to remove the guard is when rabbeting or changing the blades. An industrial quality switch is mounted right up in front where it is easy to reach. The "on" switch is recessed so it won't be bumped accidentally. The "off" switch sticks out there so it is easy to bump.
With a jointer, you make a first good step toward having "tried and true" lumber. A jointer can give you one good edge and a perpendicular flat face. I then rip off the opposite edge on my table saw. That gives me two parallel edges. Then I thickness plane the stock to get a uniform thickness. That "can" be done with hand planes with some skill and elbow grease and sweat. I tend to use my Delta 12 1/2" thickness planer for that step. After a few passes through the planer, you should have a "tried and true" board, ready for your project. That is something you cannot buy at the local lumber store.
I will likely begin my hunt for an 8-12" jointer, as the 6" jointer pretty much limits you to boards that are less than 6" wide or edge jointing a wider board, ripping it into narrower pieces, and then face jointing. It seems a shame to rip nice wide boards in order to be able to get a flat face.
If my best friend asked my opinion of 6" jointers, I would recommend this Jet model. I am convinced that I made the right choice.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
gcavener
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Location: Oregon City, OR
Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
58, woodworker, married, 4 grandchildren
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