Choosing the best benchtop jointer can be very confusing because of the different brands highlighting different details of the jointer. We have listed some of the factors which will make it easy for you to choose the best benchtop jointer.
Cutter Head: There are mainly three types of cutter heads-straight, spiral and helical. The helical cutter heads are the best as they make less noise and in case of malfunctioning, each part can be replaced individually. However, they are the most expensive. Amps and Power: The amps and power are two more things which allow the user to determine how smoothly the power tool will function. These features also help to determine how efficient the machine will be. Bed Width and Cutting Depth: These features help to determine how many inches of wood the jointer will be able to handle. The bed width tells us how wide the wooden board can be and the cutting depth determines the length.
There are some more factors that you need to consider while selecting the benchtop jointer that are listed in the “Buying Guide” listed below. In the next section, we have listed the most illustrious benchtop jointers with their best features, advantages and disadvantages. Read on to choose your ideal benchtop jointer.
Best Benchtop Jointers 2023:List
Best Benchtop Jointer Reviews
1. PORTER-CABLE Benchtop Jointer
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This Porter-Cable benchtop jointer is very versatile and very effective for all your woodwork projects at home. This is a perfect jointer for facilitating all your DIY woodwork projects. The sheet metal material allows a variable speed of 6,000 to 11,000 RPM which enables the worker to choose depending on the hardness and size of the wooden board or the material being worked on. It features a dual knife head which makes the adjustment and replacement of the knives very simple. The in-built cutter head makes it easy for you to arrange the knives according to your preference. The head is large which provides work support and the surface can be stocked up to handle 6-inch boards. Best Features
Amperage: 10 amps Size: 6-inch Speed: 6,000 to 10,000 RPM Weight: 35 lbs
Pros:
Very versatile. Variable speed. Two knives head. Ample support for work.
Cons:
Some people had problems with installation.
2. CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Jointer
Want a variable speed cutter head ranging from 12,000 to 22,000 cuts per minute? This benchtop jointer has this feature and so much more. It also has a variable speed range of 6,000 to 11,000 RPM. These jointers also feature a dual knife cutter with an in-built head lock cutter, and easy levelling of jackscrew knife which enables a smooth functioning and easy adjustment and replacement. They are suitable for face jointing, flattening and edging. Also, the variable speed allows accurate speed for any length or width of the material. The 10-ampere machine is capable of all kinds of wood DIY work with any thickness and depth. Best Features
Amperage: 10-amps Size: 6-inch Speed: 6,000 to 11,000 RPM Weight: 39.7 lbs
Pros:
Variable speed. Variable cutter head speed. Built-in lock head. Easy levelling of jackscrew knives.
Cons:
Some people had problems with the wire.
3. WEN Benchtop Jointer
Are you in need of a jointer to smoothen out your workpieces or wooden boards? These benchtop jointers allow precise cuts on all kinds of boards till the width of 6 inches. The jointer features 12 high-speed steel cutter heads which allow smooth cuts in both hard and softwoods. Moreover, the 10-ampere motor enables 12,000 RPM. The infeed can be adjusted from 0 to ⅛ inches of the material with maximum precision and accuracy. The wide table allows a sturdy base to work freely. The spring-loaded blade guard prevents all kinds of injuries as only a portion of the cutter head is exposed to the user. The built-in dust port allows minimal cleanup. There are two push blocks which enable safe jointing of the components. This jointer is compatible with all the replacement spiral blades. Best Features
Amperage: 10 amps Size: 6-inch Speed: Upto 12,000 RPM Weight: 36.8 lbs
Pros:
Allows precise cuts. 12 HSS cutter heads which allow easy replacement. Built-in dust port. Spring-loaded blade guard.
Cons:
Some people had issues with the voltage.
4. Wahuda Tools Benchtop Jointer
The Wahuda jointer offers smooth and level edges and surfaces easily and quickly. So that you can achieve smooth and precise cuts on figured and tough woods. This jointer also features a spiral cutter head with 4-way carbide inserts for quieter and sharper operation. With the standard size of the blade makes the product cost-effective too and makes the replacement simple too. The 12,000 RPM is made possible with the 120V motor. It can easily take care of the flattening, jointing, handling, edging and tapering off any surface. The additional fence can be tilted at angles from 90° and 135° to increase versatility. The expandable and adjustable iron cast tables can improve the stability to make it suitable for working on larger boards. Best Features
Amperage: 10 amps Size: 8-inch Speed: 12,000 RPM Weight: 49.9 lbs
Pros:
Precise cuts can be achieved easily and quickly. Spiral cutter head with 4-way carbide. 120V motor. Tiltable additional fence.
Cons:
The installation takes a while.
5. RIKON Power Tools Benchtop Jointer
This Rikon jointer features a 6-row helical cutter head style along with additional double-edge 16-carbide inserts for smooth and swift action. This product allows knife changes which makes it suitable for all kinds of woodwork activities. The fence can tilt at an angle of 90° to 135°. Also, there is an easy-read measurement scale and a safety switch for better and efficient performance. The extendable table makes enough room to work with all kinds of boards. Further, it also features dust ports and spring-loaded accurate safety guards. The compact size and lightweight design make it portable and the user can easily store it away when not in use. Best Features
Amperage: 15 amps Size: 8-inch Speed: 12,000 RPM Weight: 57.9 lbs
Pros:
Helical cutter head. Options of knife change. Easy read measurement scale. Compact size.
Cons:
Not suitable for hard wood.
6. VEVOR Benchtop Jointer
The benchtop jointer by Vevor is a heavy-duty product which improves stability when dealing with large pieces. This product features an aluminium fence which can be adjusted at an angle of 90° to 135° for versatility. This 8-ampere machine allows 12,000 cuts each minute for accurate and continuous cuts. Also, the motor is made of copper which is durable and can deal with materials of thickness 0 to 3 mm. The knives are tested rigorously to make sure that they ensure smooth finishes and no scratches to the edges. The dust collection port ensures cleanliness around the work site. There are several additional features like push blocks, ergonomic knobs, overload protector and electromagnetic switches. An additional scale ruler is also provided for precise measurements. The compact design is portable and reliable which can be stored easily and is ideal for small job sites. Best Features
Amperage: 8 amps Size: 6-inch Speed: 2000 RPM Weight: 20.72 lbs
Pros:
Robust high-power machine. Rotatable aluminium fence. Scale ruler for precision. Several additional features.
Cons:
It is a rough-cut feed.
7. Grizzly Benchtop Jointer
Want high-speed steel to make precise cuts on the wooden board? This Grizzly jointer features cutting the edges directly perpendicular to the wood. The jointer has a spiral cutter head which enables less maintenance, quiet operation and smooth finishes as opposed to the straight cutter heads. These jointers have been treated with heat for resistance to wear and tear and hardness. Further, the dual side inserts allow sharper edges and reduce noise while working. The dust created is finer and is collected in clogged lines throughout the edges. The compact size allows it to be portable and store easily when not in use. Best Features
Amperage: 10 amps Size: 6-inch Speed: 10,000 RPM Weight: 81 lbs
Pros:
High-speed steel construction. Quiet operation. Less maintenance. Compact size.
Cons:
Some people had problems with the quality.
8. Shop Fox Benchtop Jointer
This cast iron jointer by Shop Fox is durable, sturdy and allows it to work for all boards that are 6-inches wide. This 10-ampere jointer can manage a depth of ⅛ inches. Additionally, it features a spiral head with 12 inserts which can be replaced individually. The speed of the cutter head is impeccable at 12,000 RPM. The dust port is 2½ inches which accumulates the dust and keeps the surroundings clean. The large table size makes it a sturdy base for all DIY wood projects. Additionally, the carbide insert size is large enough to accommodate all kinds of boards. Best Features
Amperage: 10 amps Size: 6-inch Speed: 12,000 RPM Weight: 43.08 lbs
Pros:
Cast iron material. 10 ampere suitable for all kinds of works. Large and sturdy table. Dust port keeps the surroundings clean.
Cons:
Some people had problems with the instruction manual.
Things to Consider When Looking for a Benchtop Jointer
There are many options in the market highlighting different features about their benchtop jointer which might make it difficult for you to choose the ideal product for you. In the following section, we have listed some of the basic things that will assist you while you pick your ideal benchtop jointer. However, while keeping these guidelines in your mind, it is also important for you to carry out primary research on the testing of different products and brands to know about your selected product.
1. Type of Cutter Head
Choosing the cutter head is one of the eminent things while selecting the benchtop jointer. This is that thing which decides the noise produced, sawdust amount accumulated and the energy required for it to function properly. There are three basic types of cutter heads. We have discussed them below.
Straight Knives Cutter Heads: They usually feature three blades meant for spinning the entire width of the drum. With each pass, they cut through the piece of wood with the entire width. They are easy to maintain but they make a lot of noise. But, if they strike a rock or nail, they become trash. Helical Cutter Heads: These are high-quality heads that feature several small blades arranged in a spiral position. They have smooth functioning and make much less noise. Additionally, these blades can be replaced individually if they go bad. Spiral Cutter Heads: These heads have smooth functioning and make less noise than the first alternative but you need to replace the whole unit if they need repair.
2. Amps and Power
To get the work done in the stipulated time and to work effortlessly, woodworkers need powerful machines to work efficiently. Yes, the power of the motor is important but the amperage and speed of the motor are even more essential. The 10-ampere jointers are ideal for all jobs. They prevent overheating even when working heavy-duty. They are also very efficient as they can perform 20,000 or more cuts in a minute.
3. Cutting Depth and Bed Width
The cutting depth specifies how much wood can be removed at one time. The task of achieving the perfectly carved wood is all about precision and patience. The average depth of the cut should be ⅛ of an inch as it allows the worker to easily remove a good amount of waste. The bed width of the jointer is another important feature to look for when selecting the benchtop jointer. It decides the length of the board which can be handled by the jointer. For small woodwork projects, the 6-inch benchtop jointers are suitable for 6-inch wood boards. The bed width of the jointer should match the length of the boards that you usually work with. The 8-inch and the 10-inch wooden boards usually require a standing jointer which can be really expensive.
4. Fence
Arguably, the bed is the most eminent part of the jointer but the fence is just as important. The main purpose of these are to work as a sturdy base while the worker planes the wooden board to a plane surface. However, it has more uses which makes this part much more important. Once the wooden piece is milled perfectly, the workers pass the board against the fence to achieve an adjustable or square edge which is hard to find in a readymade board. For high-quality wood projects, this step is crucial which makes the fence very important.
5. Dust Accumulation
Hygiene and aesthetics go side by side. If you are a beginner in woodwork, you probably do not have any idea about how much time and effort goes into collecting the minute dust particles after the completion of the work. So, it is important for you to select a jointer with an in-built vacuum system which can collect all the dust for you to work in a healthy environment.
6. Stability
Your money should be put into a jointer which gives you a well-built frame which is stable and does not produce a lot of noise or vibrate furiously in the long run. For a stable structure, you can go for cast iron frames as the carbon flyaways guarantee a non-vibrating process and also a stable structure.
7. Safety
The safety features should always be considered when buying the jointer or any product for any physical task. Safety should always take precedence over the budget as life is more important and power tools are hazardous. Therefore, it is better to go for the jointer which keeps safety in mind and possesses features like front power buttons, spring safety guards, push sticks and push blocks.
Final Word
With this guide at your disposal, the selection of the benchtop jointer would be like a walk in the park. You just need to keep these features in your mind while looking for your benchtop jointer. We have tried to clear all your doubts regarding the benchtop jointer but if you still have doubts, you can write to us in the comments section below.
If you are looking for recommendations, we have listed our top three favourites from our list. The first recommendation from our list is PORTER-CABLE Benchtop Jointer. It is a very versatile product and proves efficiency by allowing variable speed. The second suggestion from our list of products is CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Jointer. This product features variable speed and adjustable cutter head speed to work on several boards. The third and final product from our list is WEN Benchtop Jointer. It features 12 HSS cutter heads which allow smooth functioning and easy replacement.
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