rigid 6” jointer,anybody use one?others
alwaysoverbudget
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
needing a 6 jointer, nothing elaborate,just something for light shop use. i’ve been looking at the ridgid for 350. it looks pretty good ,but looks don’t mean nuthing if it performs like crud. anybody been around one of these or any suggestions on other brands in about the same price range? thanks larry
Replies
I bought a Rigid 6" Jointer about a year ago as almost an impulse purchase. What I really wanted was a larger Delta machine but couldn't justify the extra $1000+ it would cost.
Anyway, I have been quite pleased so far. Moderate to small vibration; nice big wheels and handles; reasonably flat and true out of the box. (All jointers will need to be tuned before use.)
I did make a frame with locking castors into which I bolted the legs. This made the stand far more stable, and the machine more mobile.
I've run through close to 1000 ft. of oak, maple, walnut, and pine without incident. Well to be honest, a moment of stupidity with a small piece of trim cost me the fleshy tips of two fingers for 6 weeks, but I can hardly blame that on Rigid. They did include the safety push blocks. Haste does indeed make waste!! Be safe.
I've been very impressed with most tools that Ridgid has been putting out lately, they are very nicely made and highly accurate for the money. The only Ridgid tool I've heard mixed feelings about was their series of compressors, but I've never used one of them myself. In any case, I think Fine Woodworking did a review on portable planers not too long ago, consider checking that out too. -Justin
losing flesh is a whole lot better than shorter fingers! looking at another post about frivolus lawsuits, i,d sue hd for making a jointer that will cut fingers, gotta be worth $$$$$$$ lol thanks larry
I have one and like it. Dust collection is not too great. Easy to get it clogged up. The little plastic gage they provide is junk. It was not the easiest thing to assemble the base. Otherwise, I'm happy. It was a good value for the price. I looked at most all of them in that price range and liked their design best. I doubt it would hold up in a production shop, but for occasional use its fine.
I set one up for a friend, and then trimmed his house using it. A little cranky to set up, but it did work ok. I think he paid 450 for it. I think it was worth it. I've got a 12" Northfield w/ a 6' bed, in the shop, that's pretty sweet. I might get a Ridgid if I had to. Don't worry, we can fix that later!
Larry
I don't know much(insert anything) about the Rigid but you can get the Jet for about the same money and they aren't all that bad a jointer, especially if you don't need a production jointer.
They have been making them a lot longer than Rigid so might have some bearing.
i'll check into a jet ,i know some people swear by them. thanks larry
If I recall correctly, Fine Woodworking said that the Ridgid was the Best Value jointer. Surprised me. I'd probably go for a Jet or Grizzly, but the mag article claimed the Ridgid was the best for the money.
i hear lots of good things about grizzly,i'm even fairly close to one of their stores, but the couple tools i have bought of theirs performs ok, but it seems like everything is a little oddball and won't except other brand of acessories. i have a small shaper, a grinder and they have done fine, but just a little lerry of big tools of theirs. thanks larry
Check out the stuff from Grizzly, they make a number of models. Don't know if you're looking for portable though, these are mostly shop type models.
Edited 9/29/2004 9:53 pm ET by markwood
I've had a Ridgid jointer for two years, and it's done well by me. Ridgid, Jet, Grizzly, Sunhill, Bridgewood jointers are all pretty much the same Taiwanese machine, so pick your best deal.
Whatever jointer you buy, take a short and long straightedge and check the tables before you buy. You will have no end of grief if they are warped. I did a demo for 300 woodworkers a few months ago and was supplied with a new 6" Jet jointer, kindly provided by Rockler. ( I only had a half hour to remove the cosmolene and get acquainted with the machine prior to the event.) The outfeed table was dished 1/32" (or .030", same thing) across its width, right at the table lip next to the cutterhead. I had to point this out to the crowd, which did not sell a lot of Jet jointers, but truth is truth. One nice thing about older used machines is that the iron is done moving, and is where it will stay ever after.
No rag on Jet per se, just remember to check before you buy.
Bill