Toys

[aschueler]

Well after much planning and discussion, I got two new toys this weekend.

First is new ROS -- Porter Cable. Much, much nicer than the Black & Decker one I am replacing it for.

Next I got the Jet 6" jointer from WoodCraft. Somehow got it out of the truck, into the garage and set up by myself. Didn't even drop it!

Now I am working at aligning and squaring everything. It looks like it's gonna take a while.

[bogydave]

Nice.
Almost 300 lbs by yourself. (don't mess with aschueler)
Which jointer 1 hp or 3/4 hp?
Once it tuned up & running, you'll love the way it makes sawdust & chips, fast.
Wish mine had a DC atachment.
Let us know your review of both tools.

[aschueler]

Hmmm....it was the cheapest Jet they had which was 1 hp.

Let's see if this link works:http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=2051&mode=details#tabs
And before you guys think too much here: On a good day on my tiptoes I am MAYBE 5'5", used to be 150lbs now 160 (gained 10lbs of cooking after getting married 2 yrs ago). When you're not a big dude, you learn to move things with technique and leverage. I backed the truck into the garage, then slid it onto sawhorses, then unpacked the box, then lowered it to the ground. I moved it by degrees, plus the heaviest part was the jointing surface itself, and I doubt it was more than 150 lbs.

Thant reminds me: I was moaning before about not finding jointers with wheels. Well, this is lighter than my tablesaw, and if I put it on a large piece of heavy duty cardboard I can actually slide it about fairly well. The wheel attachment is over 100 bucks, and cardboard seems to work just fine.

[Ylwng2001]

My Christmas present was a Delta X5 6" jointer and I didn't have a rolling base for it, so I made one. Had a sheet of 3/4 BC plywood so I bought a set of casters from Rockler and threw together a mobille base in a day or so. It's ugly but seems to be sturdy!

[aschueler]

Well, I think I got it all set up and adjusted properly.

As far as I could tell, the 90 degree stop from the factory was off, and it was kind of a pain in the butt to get it just right -- you have to twist a regular machine bolt until it's square, and it's a little wobbly.

Checked the knives using advice on an earlier post from Don, and they seemed to all be in line already; I set the outfeed table just a tidge above the knives and got snipe, then lowered a little and it seems exact. I took some spare red oak and made (as near as I can measure) a long stick that's perfectly square, about 1/2" by 1/2" without trimming my fingernails.

I found that my three squares (big metal one, combination square, and speed square) all are just a little off by looking at how flat they are on the fence and the table; kind of a shock, actually. When I draw a line and flip them over, the lines overlap; so I guess they are good enough for woodworking, but not necessarily for metal work.

Anyway, I am really happy with this thing. Review? I have nothing to really compare it to, honestly, but it seems to be doing what it should be and I didn't curse much at all.

[bogydave]

Looks like you even got a $rebate.
Good old yankee ingenuity for the of-load, the same way I had to do my table saw
"Happy" is a great review. Having fun using it is also a great review.