We cannot say that the PORTER-CABLE PC160JT Benchtop Jointer is not worth enough to get a higher position on our list, but we noticed several features which placed them on the third position.
This benchtop jointer is similar to the Cutech in many ways but the difference is in the price.
the PORTER-CABLE PC160JT Benchtop Jointer advantages are that it is very easy to put together, it has a variable speed functionality which will allow you to achieve the best setting for a piece of wood. This device is slower for more elastic pieces of wood and faster if you work with harder woods, but in the end what you get are fantastic results.
The weakness which affected its position on our list is the issue with the fence, which is difficult to set to sit 90 degrees from the table.
Besides the fact that the fence feels weak and you have to think about the amount of pressure you put on to this, this benchtop jointer is the best value for money.
Many people who are not into that field ask a question what a benchtop jointer is and what it can be used for.
So, we decided to give a short description of a benchtop jointer and its usage.
Its only job is to make wood flat, free of twists and warping.
It is designed for those who work with the wood and makes their job far easier.
The device is making one surface of a piece of wood straight and you may have to put the wood through the device several times depending on how hard it is and there a set of blades would cut off what needs to be cut so that the wood ends up perfectly flat.
By the end of the operation, what you get is a flat and smooth piece of wood.
Benchtop jointers can be of different sizes, which would determine the size of wood you can use.
The smaller jointers are also available on the market, but they are only useful to people who do this as a hobby or have limited space in the workshop
It should be set on top of a benchtop and they cannot cut anything more than 6 inches wide.
What should I have in mind when buying a benchtop jointer?
Prior to purchasing a benchtop jointer, you should consider several factors that determine the quality and value of the jointer.
Size – Being that the size of the wood that can be used is determined by the size of a benchtop jointer, you have to have in mind how large the pieces you will work with are going to be, so as to choose the ideal measurements and sizes.
You have to pay attention to the cutting depth, the length, and width of the bed and knife size.
The knife size of a jointer is determined by the length of the knives and it shows the size of the widest board that the jointer can comfortably handle.
Blade size and the length of the bed are also of great importance when the size of the wood that the jointer can work with is in question.
The acceptable size is 6-inch blades.
The cutting depth represents the number of times you have to pass the wood through the device so as to obtain a straight board.
The most frequent cutting depth of jointers is a half inch to three-quarters of an inch and that is considered enough for small to medium size pieces of wood.
The table or bed is the part of the device on which the wood sits.
People who are working with small pieces of wood would find the above mentioned jointers satisfactory, but those who use larger pieces of wood may need to add tables on either end.
Depending on the available space in your workshop, we suggest you buying the largest table possible jointer.
Fence – being an important part of the benchtop jointer, fence is the piece that sits 90 degrees from the table.
Its qualities should be sturdiness and durability and that is achieved by the material which it was made with.
While you work, you continually put pressure on fence and it has to be strong enough to stand that.
Some tables allow users to adjust the fence to a different angle which is an additional excellent feature.
Power – The most frequent benchtop joiners have 1HP of power.
This is power is in line with the size of wood that these jointers can handle and you do not have to worry about that.
When it comes to electricity, what you will need is 110 or 220 volts single-phase outlets.
Cleanliness – while you work with a benchtop jointer, you would make a lot of mess and you will have to clean your benchtop jointer after the usage.
That is why you should look for a jointer which is easy to keep clean.
The majority of models have possibility of adding a vacuum to it, and these ones are considered the best.
The vacuum will get rid of all the shavings or dust.
Furthermore, there are some models that come with their own system like the Powertec BJ600.
Once I get it, how to know how to set and use it?
Now, that you made a decision which one is the best for you, and purchase it, you might have trouble understanding how it is used and what to do with it.
Firstly, you will need to assemble it by having a close look into the instruction manuals.
The users say that many of these manuals are poorly written, so you need to pay special attention when assembling it.
What you should do after assembling is checking the angles, 45 and 90 degrees.
Make sure that the fence is sitting correctly to the table.
If this is not in right position, you will not get the desired results.
If there is some oil on the surface of the jointer, you should wash it off with some mineral spirits.
Besides having in mind how large pieces you can work with, you should know that the hardness of wood is also important and harder wood can damage smaller blades on your jointer.
Here are some of the safety tips that you should follow when using a benchtop jointer.
First and foremost, you need to clearly read the manual provided and get acquainted with all the possible issues that can come up while working with a benchtop jointer.
The second important thing is to wear safety goggles to protect your eyes and avoid loose clothing when working.
If you are not qualified for the job with benchtop jointers, it is suggested not to work with the tool.
Your benchtop joiner has to be secured and you can do it by bolting it to a wall.
That way the falling will be avoided.
Last, but not the least, all equipment has to be safely packed away and out the reach of children.
Conclusion
It is true that you might have difficulties is finding the ideal benctop jointer and we hope that the top 5 that we have chosen for you would be good enough to suit our needs.
Benchtop jointer producers are trying hard to make as great benchtop jointer as possible, so the competition on the market is high.
We created this buying guide not only to help make that purchase easier but also to give you some hints related to the usage of the jointer.
In a conclusion, we can claim that our top pick is actually the best benchtop jointer.
The Cutech 40160H-CT is such a tool which has all the equipment and everything that a good benchtop jointer needs to possess.
It is designed for professionals, while those low-cost models are more for people doing woodwork as a hobby.
The Porter-Cable PC160JT has almost equal characteristic as the Cutech, except the Cutech’s durability, so no matter which one you choose, you will not regret it.
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