what is a rabbiting jointer?

[Bigfoot]

I've been looking at Harbor Freight and they have a number of jointers there, I'm interested in a 6 inch rabbiting jointer and a 7 inch rabbiting jointer, are these a good value and do you guys think this is a good buy? One of the jointer has 3 blades and the other has 2 blades. thanks Don:)
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[Don]

Hey, Don. A rabbeting jointer simply has a machined out area on the edge of the infeed table, next to the operator. This allows you to use the machine not only for surfacing a face on material, but to make a rabbet on the edge of a board as well. Say you are making a box and want to put a 1/2" plywood bottom in it. A rabbeting jointer will allow you to make that 1/2'" x 1/2" groove along the bottom edge of your material. It's kind of like having horizontal shaper with a rabbeting cutter in it. A nice feature to have, but don't get too hung up on it. In over 35 years of woodworking I've only used that feature less than a half dozen times. That operation is easier done on the table saw, shaper, dado head, router - you name it.

More knives on a jointer head is always a plus, three is about the standard. But your cuts per minute (CPM) are dependant on cutterhead speed and feed rate. Most often you can make up for a poor cut by feeding slower since that part is a hand operation.

A jointer is something that many people want but seldom use in a hobby type shop unless you are really doing solid wood furniture, etc. The jointers you selected start around $200 and go up from there. Ask yourself what you will be using it for and how often. A cheap one could last a lifetime and work just fine when called on for duty. A more expensive one will last two lifetimes and be more of a joy to use when you flip that switch.

If you are working with big, heavy, rough lumber - bigger is always better. If you are jointing the edge on a short pine board, anything will do the job.

I'm in the market myself for a jointer. I'm torn. I know the ones you selected will do the job 90% of the time, but I don't know if I want to look at that cheapo thing in my shop for years to come. The Powermatics are beautiful and have much longer tables and heavy bases, just add another $600 to the cost and you can have one.

A spiral cutterhead would be the cat's meow as far a jointer is concerned. Replacing the tooling would be childs play. Chipped tooth? No problem, just rotate that single knife. I may hold off for this one - but it's a grand.

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All the best

[Bigfoot]

Yes I think I understand. sounds like good advice Don, I won't be getting anything just yet but I'd like a good Jointer around someday. Thanks again Don Bigfoot:)