10 Best Benchtop Jointers- Buyer’s Guide and Reviews

Last Updated on February 28, 2024 by Naomi Nimu

As a woodworker, you know that the best tool makes all the difference. That’s why you’re searching for the best benchtop jointer. You want a tool that will last for years and produce top-quality results every time you use it.

I recently went through the process of researching and testing a number of jointers hence I will be sharing my experiences with them.

If you were looking for cheap jointers, I have reviewed them here.

Top Benchtop Jointers Reviews

There are several pros and cons to every benchtop jointer I have reviewed here today. Some of them might not be suitable for your needs so it’s important that you read my full reviews before making any decisions about which one will be best for you.

1. Grizzly G0946-6″ Benchtop Jointer

Main Features

• This is a 6-inch Grizzly jointer
• Brand is Grizzly
• It makes use of HSS knives
• Has a spiral-type cutter head
• This Grizzly wood jointer has a dust port
• Its fence is adjustable

Is Grizzly a Good Jointer?

Yes, Grizzly is a good jointer known for its great features, making it one of the best choices when looking for a new benchtop jointer.

A Spiral Type Cutterhead

This model comes with a spiral-type cutterhead, making it easy to change the blade in this jointer. With this type of cutterhead, you will not have any problems changing the blades because all you need to do is loosen some screws, remove the blade and put another one in its place.

This saves you time and money because instead of having to buy another machine, you simply just have to purchase another set of blades for your current machine.

Pros

• The dust port on this benchtop jointer helps you keep your work area clean while you’re working on it.
• Since Grizzly makes this bench top joiner, you can expect it to be a durable tool that will last for many years to come
• This type of jointer also makes use of high-speed steel knives that are durable
• The fence on this Grizzly wood jointer is also easy to adjust, which makes it easy for anyone to use it effectively, whether they are right or left-handed.

Cons

• None

2. Wahuda Tools Jointer

Main Features

• This is an 8-inch Benchtop Wood Jointer
• Brand is Wahuda
• It features a Spiral Cutter head
• This power tool features a 10amp Motor
• You can adjust the height of the table
• Its fence is also adjustable
• Has cast iron tables with extension arms to joint longer boards
• Has 4-sided carbide tips
• This is a portable jointer; hence you can move around in your home workshop.

I bought the Wahuda Tools Jointer to test its performance, and so far am happy with its results. It does a great job of jointing wood boards and removing twists from wood without getting stuck or slowing down at any point during operation.

Best Portable Jointer

The first thing that you will notice about this woodworking power tool is the fact that it is portable. This means that you can take it with you anywhere in your home workshop or even outside for some jobs.

Where Are Wahuda Tools Made?

Wahuda tools are made in Memphis, TN.

The Wahuda team is proud to say that they are committed to supporting American manufacturing. All of their products are made right here in the USA by skilled workers who take great pride in their craftsmanship and dedication to quality.

Pros

• The best wood jointer comes with all the features that you need such as having an adjustable fence, etc
• The motor is powerful enough to do all your tasks without getting stuck or slowing down at any point during the operation.
• It is portable hence you can use it in different places
• This power tool features a spiral cutter head, which makes it possible for you to turn the blades of this machine when they become blunt or dull.

Cons

• None

3. CRAFTSMAN Benchtop Jointer

Main Features

• Brand: ‎CRAFTSMAN
• It comes with a heavy-duty 10-amp motor to handle all types of wood
• Use the benchtop jointer for flattening, edging, or face jointing
• Has a variable speed of 6, 000 to 11, 000 RPM
• It also has easy knife adjustment and replacement
• Has a center-mounted fence for accurate jointing

I have used this power tool for about 8 months now. I have a small wood shop in my garage and use this jointer to make furniture parts out of hardwood and softwood lumber to trimming doors.

This Table Top Jointer is Portable

I like the fact that it’s portable, so I can take it outside or into my shop as needed. It’s also fairly quiet compared to other benchtop jointers I’ve used (they tend to be loud).

Has Variable Speeds

The Craftsman benchtop jointer also has a variable speed of 6, 000 to 11, 000 RPM so you can choose the best speed for any type of wood. You also get easy knife adjustment and replacement with this model. Finally, it has a center-mounted fence for accurate jointing.

Pros

• It is affordable
• It features a 10-amp motor that provides enough power to handle all types of wood, including hardwoods.
• The Craftsman Benchtop Jointer also comes with a center-mounted fence for accurate jointing.
• A renowned brand makes this best tabletop jointer

Cons

• I didn’t experience

4. WEN JT630H Benchtop Jointer

Main Features

• Has a powerful motor of 10-Amp
• Brand is Wen
• This is a 6-inch benchtop jointer
• Has a spiral cutterhead that uses 12 staggered HSS blades
• Has a spacious table
• Wen jointer has an adjustable fence

Best 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer

This is one of the best 6-inch benchtop jointers available today. It has great features such as;

Powerful Motor

A powerful motor is needed for heavy-duty work such as cutting thick stock or when you need to make large joints for cabinets or furniture pieces. The WEN JT630H 10-Amp 6-Inch Spiral Benchtop Jointer features a powerful motor of 10-Amp, which is more than enough for most users.

Adjustable Fence

The fence on this machine can be adjusted easily so that you can make precise cuts every time without any problems at all.

Pros

• The WEN JT630H comes with an adjustable fence which allows for more accuracy when making cuts on your workpiece
• The table is spacious enough for you to work on different types of wood materials without any problem
• It is affordable
• Has a powerful motor of 10-Amp

Cons

• None

5. PORTER-CABLE Benchtop Jointer

Main Features

• Its brand is PORTER-CABLE
• Has variable speed of 6,000 to 11,000 RPM
• Has an extra-large table
• It is a 6-inch benchtop jointer
• It features a jack screw knife leveling arrangement for easy adjustment and replacement of knives

This is a great benchtop jointer for the hobbyist and DIYer. This tool’s jack-screw knife leveling arrangement makes it easy to adjust or replace the knives. The blades are made from high-quality steel, which makes them durable and long-lasting.

A Renowned Brand makes it

PORTER-CABLE is a brand that has been around for about 100 years now. They have been making tools for the DIYer and professional woodworkers alike. This benchtop jointer is no different. It is a powerful machine with a lot of features that make it easy to use and maintain.

Pros

• it is portable enough for you to carry around wherever you go without straining yourself too much.
• This 6-inch benchtop jointer features a variable speed control, allowing you to use the jointer at a speed that is right for the job.
• Its large table comes in handy when you need to work with longer pieces of wood.
• It makes it easy to change or adjust its knives

Cons

• It is a bit expensive but worth your cash due to its great features

6. RIKON Power Tools Jointer with Helical Head

Main Features

• It has a helical cutterhead
• This is a 6-inch benchtop jointer
• It features a powerful 10 AMP motor
• Rikon jointer has a large table
• Has an adjustable fence
• It has all steel construction

Is Rikon a Good Jointer?

Yes, Rikon is a good jointer. It provides an amazing amount of power thanks to its 10-amp motor, so you can get through whatever project you’re working on quickly and efficiently.

Benchtop Jointer with Helical Cutterhead

The RIKON Power Tools jointer comes with a helical head that allows for more precise cuts and greater control over the depth of cut than you would get with a standard straight-head jointer. This feature makes it easier to make consistent cuts that are exactly as deep as desired on both sides of the board being jointed.

Rikon Tools

RIKON Power Tools is a company that has always focused on producing high-quality products that are easy to use and reliable.

The company has a wide range of products including table saws, band saws, jointers, and routers. Their benchtop jointers offer users the ability to easily join two pieces of wood together and produce a smooth surface without damaging the edges of the wood.

Pros

• The Rikon jointer is made of steel, which makes it strong and durable
• This unit has an adjustable fence that allows you to make accurate cuts.
• The helical cutter head produces smooth surfaces and straight edges for precision work
• It has a powerful motor that can easily handle the most demanding tasks
• This wood power tool has steel construction for durability.

Cons

• None

7. Cutech 40180HC-CT 8″ Bench Top

Main Features

• This is an 8” benchtop jointer with a spiral cutterhead
• Its table can be adjusted (height)
• Brand is Cutech
• It comes with carbide tips
• This wood jointer has a powerful 10 Amp motor
• Its fence can tilt: 90 to 135 Degrees

It is a Powerful Wood Jointer

The Cutech 40180HC-CT 8″ Bench Top Spiral Cutterhead Jointer is a great choice for woodworkers who want a portable jointer that they can use in their workshop. It features a powerful 10 Amp motor that can cut through hardwood and softwood quickly and easily.

Comes with Carbide Tips

One of the best features of this wood jointer is its spiral cutterhead, which has carbide tips instead of traditional blades.

Carbide tips are much harder than steel and don’t require sharpening as often as regular metal blades do. This means that you won’t have to worry about replacing them or having them dull out too quickly.

Pros

• Its 10 Amp motor runs smoothly and quietly, making it ideal for all types of woodworking projects
• The best jointer comes equipped with a full-length dust port that helps keep your work area clean while you’re working on it
• The spiral cutterhead produces clean, smooth edges on your boards for added accuracy.
• The table is adjustable, which allows for customizing the machine to your needs

Cons

• The fence is a little finicky if you have not adjusted it well

Cutech Benchtop Jointer Review YouTube Video

8. JET JJP-8BT, 8-Inch Planer-Jointer Combo

Main Features

• This is a planer-jointer combo
• It has HSS Knives (high-speed steel blades)
• Has a large aluminum fence
• Its motor is powerful- 13-amp motor
• It is portable

Is There a Jointer Planer Combo?

Yes, there is a jointer planer combo like JET JJP-8BT. This is a combination machine that allows you to use it as a jointer or planer depending on the project you are working on. This means it will both plane and joint at the same time.

This machine is made by JET and they are known for making quality tools and this one does not disappoint. If you need a machine that can handle heavy-duty projects, then this one should be your first choice.

Pros

• It has a powerful 13-amp motor that can handle tough jobs and still give you an excellent finish
• The JET JJP-8BT is also portable so you can take it with you when you need to go on location.
• The best thing about this machine is that it is a jointer planer combo.
• It also has HSS Knives (high-speed steel blades) which makes it a durable machine.
• This machine also comes with an instruction manual that will help you get started right away – no need to spend time searching online trying to figure out how everything works.

Cons

• I did not experience any problems when testing the best planer-jointer

9. Shop Fox W1876 6″ Benchtop Jointer

Main Features

• This is a 6-inch benchtop jointer
• Motor: 1-1/2 HP, 120V
• It has a spiral-style cutter head with 2 inserts
• Brand is Shop Fox
• It comes with a dust port

This benchtop jointer is a great option for anyone who wants to add the power of a jointer to their home shop but doesn’t have the space or budget for a full-size machine. It has all the features of a good jointer such as infeed and outfeed tables, dust port, powerful motor, good cutter head, etc.

Overall though, this seems to be a good jointer for the price. You could probably find something better but you’d probably have to pay more for it too.

Pros

• The dust port allows users to connect an external dust collection system to keep the work area clean
• The spiral cutter head design allows you to change blades quickly and easily
• It’s made by one of America’s most trusted tool brands; Shop Fox
• It has a powerful motor

Cons

• None

10. Grizzly G0945 – 6″ Benchtop Jointer

Main Features

• The brand is Grizzly Industrial
• Horsepower: ‎1.5 hp
• Cutterhead speed: 11,000 RPM
• The fence is made of Aluminum
• The height of the infeed table can be adjusted

The Grizzly G0945 – a 6-inch benchtop jointer is a great tool for anyone looking to get into woodworking as a hobby or profession. It’s small enough that it can fit in your garage or shop, but powerful enough to handle most jobs that come your way.

It is also an affordable benchtop jointer that can handle most of your needs in the home shop.

Pros

• If you’re looking for a portable jointer that won’t break the bank, this model should be on your shortlist
• Its powerful motor provides plenty of power for making straight edges quickly.
• It is affordable
• The top benchtop jointer is made by a renowned brand hence you will be buying a high-quality power tool

Cons

• It only has a 6-inch table and with this size, you will have trouble jointing large pieces of wood.

Best Benchtop Jointer Buying Guide

How to use a Benchtop Jointer? -Step by Step

Step 1: Have Safety Gear On

Before using any jointer, you first want to ensure you have safety gear on. This includes your earplugs, safety glasses, and gloves. You will also want to make sure that the parts of the jointer are assembled well before you start using it.

Step 2: Set up the Benchtop Jointer

The machine should be set up before using it so that it can work properly and safely.

Place the jointer on a flat surface where there is no vibration or movement while you are assembling it.

Performs Some Adjustments If Necessary

Adjust the depth of the cut and the fence before using it. Make sure it is set well before using it. If something doesn’t seem right with the machine, check your owner’s manual for instructions on how to adjust it properly.

Step 3: Start by Flattening/Face Jointing If Necessary

After ensuring everything is in order, turn on the machine and place the wood on the table for jointing. You should also use a push block when doing this part so that if anything goes wrong, it will not be able to reach your hands or other body parts due to its force when jointing.

How to Operate a Benchtop Jointer YouTube Video

Watch the video below for illustrations of how to operate a benchtop jointer effectively.

How to Buy the Best Benchtop Jointer?

The decision-making process for buying a benchtop jointer is not a difficult one. In fact, it is quite easy to narrow down the choices and make your final choice of the best model for your needs.

The following factors should be considered before making your purchase:

Size

A small benchtop jointer will take up less space than a large floor-standing model and might be easier to fit in your home shop or garage if space is limited. But if you want to make larger cuts or work with longer pieces of stock, then a larger machine may be needed.

Budget

If you are a hobbyist or just getting started in woodworking, you might want to consider a cheaper model. On the other hand, if you are a professional woodworker and need something for large projects, you might want to go with a more expensive model.

Jointer prices range widely; some models cost less than $200 and others more than $1,000. The more money you spend, the better the quality of your machine, but don’t be fooled into thinking that a high price tag means a better jointer.

In fact, in our tests, found some great values among the less expensive machines. Our Best Buy award winner starts at $299.

Powerful Motor

You need a powerful motor so your jointer can handle the tough demands of woodworking. A powerful motor doesn’t necessarily mean a loud one; it does mean one that runs efficiently without overheating or jamming up easily.

Adjustable Fence and Table

Another thing that you need to check out is whether the fence and table can be adjusted. A good jointer should be able to adjust its fence and table so you can use it on different projects.

Variable Speed

Benchtop jointers come with variable speeds, which allow you to control how fast or slow the cutter head runs. This is important because it helps ensure safety as well as get the right cut on each material type that you’re working with. If you want more control over your cuts, then look for a benchtop jointer with variable speed settings.

Type of Cutter Head

There are two types of cutter heads available today: helical heads and spiral cutter head. Each one has its pros and cons, so it’s important to understand what those are before making your purchase decision. If possible, try using both types before deciding which one works best for you.

References

https://www.i3detroit.org/wiki/Jointer

Joyce, Ernest (1987) [1970]. Peters, Alan (ed.). The Technique of Furniture Making (4th ed.). London: Batsford. ISBN 0-7134-4407-X.