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Jointers are essential tools for woodworkers, especially for those who need to work on small woodworking projects. Benchtop jointers are a popular choice for many woodworkers as they are compact, portable, and relatively affordable. In this article, we will be discussing the best benchtop jointers for small woodworking projects.
Before we dive into the best benchtop jointers on the market, let's first discuss the factors you should consider when choosing a benchtop jointer.
The cutterhead design is an important factor to consider. There are two types of cutterhead designs: helical and straight. Helical cutterheads are made up of multiple carbide blades that are arranged in a spiral pattern. The advantage of helical cutterheads is that they produce a smoother cut and require less maintenance. Straight cutterheads, on the other hand, have straight blades that can produce a slightly rougher cut and require more maintenance.
The cutting width of a benchtop jointer is another factor to consider. The cutting width is the maximum width of a board that can be jointed. For small woodworking projects, a cutting width of 6 inches to 8 inches should be sufficient.
The cutting depth is the maximum amount of material that can be removed in a single pass. For small woodworking projects, a cutting depth of 1/8 inch to 1/6 inch should be sufficient.
Dust collection is an important consideration, especially if you are working in a small workshop. Look for a benchtop jointer with a dust collection port that can connect to a dust collector or a shop vac.
Price is always a consideration when purchasing any tool. Benchtop jointers can range from $200 to $700. Determine your budget and find the best benchtop jointer that meets your needs within that budget.
Now that you know what to look for in a benchtop jointer, here are the best benchtop jointers for small woodworking projects.
The Jet JJP-8BT 8-Inch Jointer is a top-of-the-line benchtop jointer that is perfect for small woodworking projects. It has a helical cutterhead with a total of 16 carbide knives that provide a smooth and precise finish. The cutting width of 8 inches is perfect for small projects, and the cutting depth of 1/8 inch allows for easy material removal.
The Jet JJP-8BT also has a built-in dust collection port that can connect to a shop vac or dust collector. Additionally, the machine has a compact design that makes it easy to store in a small workshop.
The only downside to the Jet JJP-8BT is the price. It is on the higher end of the price range for benchtop jointers.
The Grizzly G0725 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer is an affordable option for those on a tighter budget. It has a cutting width of 6 inches and a cutting depth of 1/8 inch, which is sufficient for small woodworking projects.
The Grizzly G0725 has a straight cutterhead with 12 HSS knives that can produce a slightly rougher finish than a helical cutterhead. However, the machine is still capable of producing a good finish, especially when used with a sharp blade.
The Grizzly G0725 also has a built-in dust collection port that can connect to a shop vac or dust collector. Its compact design makes it easy to store in a small workshop.
The Cutech 40160H-CT 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer is another affordable option for small woodworking projects. It has a helical cutterhead with 12 carbide knives that produce a smooth finish. The cutting width of 6 inches and cutting depth of 1/8 inch make it perfect for small projects.
The Cutech 40160H-CT also has a built-in dust collection port that can connect to a shop vac or dust collector. Its compact design makes it easy to store in a small workshop.
The Porter-Cable PC160JT 6-Inch Jointer is a budget-friendly option for those looking for a reliable benchtop jointer. It has a cutting width of 6 inches and a cutting depth of 1/8 inch, which is sufficient for small projects.
The Porter-Cable PC160JT has a straight cutterhead with two knives that can produce a slightly rougher finish. However, with a sharp blade, it can still produce a good finish. The machine also has a built-in dust collection port that can connect to a shop vac or dust collector.
The only downside to the Porter-Cable PC160JT is that it can be noisy when in operation.
Benchtop jointers are essential tools for small woodworking projects. When choosing a benchtop jointer, consider factors such as cutterhead design, cutting width, cutting depth, dust collection, and price. The Jet JJP-8BT 8-Inch Jointer is the top-of-the-line option, while the Grizzly G0725, Cutech 40160H-CT, and Porter-Cable PC160JT are more budget-friendly options. Whatever your budget, there is a benchtop jointer out there that will meet your needs.
