Best Jointer Reviews 2018

Size, accessories, and brand are some of the factors that affect the pricing of a jointer. A jointer from a renowned brand, with a large table and bundled with many accessories, will cost well over $2000. A jointer with only basic accessories from a less popular brand, that's capable of doing a great job, can be gotten for less than $700. Cheap jointers, however, are tools of frustration. You will have to rely on luck to get an accurate cut, and tools with blades are not ones you want to cut corners in buying.

A good jointer will help make woodworking a breeze. If you’re looking to get one for your workshop or as an enthusiast, here are some of the features to look for in selecting the best jointer for your needs:

• Types
• Size
• Power
• Accessories
• Cutter heads

As you read on, you will have a better understanding of how these features affect the efficacy of a jointer, making it easier for you to choose a suitable one based on your preferences.

Jointers make some woodworking tasks easier and faster. They come in different types, with each fitting different specific need. The closed-stand type has an enclosed base that houses the motor and protects it from dust. The enclosure also reduces noise and vibration, and its weight gives it better stability. The open-stand variant is less expensive and easier to move around, but you’ll have to deal with the noise. The miniature version is the bench jointer, which is ideal for smaller projects. As the name implies, it is often mounted on benches. There is another type that is a combination of a jointer and a planer. This is ideal for workshops that embark on many projects. It also saves space and cost by providing two tools in one.

Jointers come in different table sizes too. The size of jointer you go for will depend on the size of lumber you work with the most. Ideally, the larger the table, the better, as it lets you work with lumber of different sizes. But if you don’t have much space, or are running on a low budget, you will have to get a jointer according to your lumber.

Power is another point of consideration when selecting a jointer. Knowing how you will be using the jointer will go a long way in helping determine the power requirements. Some jointers that are based for regular use can be operated with the standard 120 - 220 volts. The heavy-duty industrial types, however, will require 440 volts and dual phase. Jointer motors are measured in horsepower, and the higher that is, the more powerful the motor.

Jointers are used for cutting lumber, and where there is cutting, there has to be something doing the cutting. In this case, that is the cutter head. There are two main types: the straight knife, and the helical head. The straight knives are just that, straight blades that span the length of the jointer table. The blades are made of steel and are best suited for woods with straight grains. This type of cutter requires some maintenance, as it needs to be sharpened regularly. If it has a dent of some sort, it will affect the precision and smoothness of the wood it cuts.

The helical head works in a spiral. The head rotates as the blade cuts through the wood. There are multiple blades in each head that are sharpened on all sides. If a cutting edge becomes blunt or damaged, you just need to bring it out, change it to another side, re-install, and keep using. This type is easier to manage than the straight knife and is often quieter during operation.

Some jointers are bundled with accessories, and the more they come with, the better. Push blocks, hardware bags, replacement cutter tips, and dust bags are some of the accessories you can get with a jointer. As you look around, you might come across more accessories that might save you some money or a trip to the hardware store bundled with the jointer.

With this information, we hope you can now make up your mind on the features you expect to have on a jointer that is ideal for your needs.