Whether you’re a professional woodworker or you just enjoy DIY projects, one thing is certain if you start your woodworking from logs of trees – you need a jointer planer combo machine. Its use is in the early stages of woodworking before the wood is ready for any fancy design.
In fact, after using the chainsaw to cut the tree into smaller sizes and your table saw to further cut it into shape, the next woodworking machine you’ll be needing is a jointer planer combo to form a flat and smooth surface. The aim is to get a square, flat surface with no errors as they can be costly later on in your work.
Rikon 25-210H 12″ Jointer Planer
Our Top Recommendation for Jointer Planer Combo Machine!
One of the most significant reasons Rikon 25-210H is topping this list aside from being a heavy-duty machine is its powerful motor and durable tables made from cast iron
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The importance of getting the right jointer planer cannot be overemphasized. Having a planer and a jointer as separate machines in your workshop can be expensive and take up a lot of limited space. This is where this combo machine shines as it combines the work of the two machines. A jointer planer combo machine is a significant investment for many woodworkers, and so due diligence is necessary before committing to buy any.
Best Jointer Planer Combo Machine
This guide is the ultimate due diligence you can do to get the most useful jointer planer for your needs.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Rikon 25-210H 12" Jointer Planer | • 3 HP motor • Heavy-duty design for stability • 12" wide blade | |
 | JET JJP-12 12" Jointer Planer | • 3 HP motor • 12" wide blade • 5 years warranty | |
 | Shop Fox W1876 6" Bench Top Jointer | • 1.5 HP motor • Compact design • 6" wide blade | |
 | WEN JT833H 8" Jointer | • 1 HP motor • 8" wide blade • Long table length up to 51 inches | |
| WEN JT630H 6" Jointer | • 1.5 HP motor • 6" wide blade • Affordable |
1. Rikon 25-210H 12″ Jointer Planer
At 12″, the Rikon 25-210H is the biggest Rikon jointer planer combo machine available. It sports a powerful 3-horsepower motor that allows it to not only combine the two activities but do each one with efficiency.
The cutter heads are 12″ inches in size, allowing you to work with larger pieces of wood. The helical head ensures clean and smooth cuts in shear angles. It has 56 cutters in total arranged in four rolls with 14 cutters per roll. The blades have four sharp sides that you can change when one side has become blunt. This improves the overall lifespan of the blade and saves you money.
With a speed of 5000 RPM, the four-sided carbide insert can make 20000 cuts per minute, allowing you to make faster and smoother cuts. And to minimize flex, the long fence is held in two corners improving its stability.
Support and stability are in abundance in this combo machine as it consists of an extra outfield roller table for the planer table, which is quite rare for combo machines in this range. It is a large and heavy machine weighing 494 lbs and comes with a stand, further improving stability when working. However, its weight and size make it difficult to move it. You may need a mobility kit or a caster base if you want to move this Rikon 25-210h jointer planer combo machine.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Powerful 3 HP motor
- It comes with a stand
- Heavy-duty design to improve stability
- 12″ wide jointing and planing capacity
- Long and durable tables made from cast iron
- Helical head with four rows for better cuts
Cons
- It is difficult to move the machine
- The quality of the parts can be improved upon
2. JET JJP-12 12″ Jointer Planer
This is another combo with 12″ cutting cutter head sizes; however, it is a compact machine that saves you a lot of space while allowing you to work large pieces. The JET JJP-12 12″ jointer planer combo machine comes with a powerful 3-horsepower motor for your jointing and planing needs.
The compact nature of this machine makes it useful for people in small sheds or workspaces. The 12″ cutter head comes with three knives covered with a guard to protect the user from injuries. These knives rotate at 5500 RPM to give impressive cuts, whether in the jointer or planer machine.
The safety of the user is paramount, especially when dealing with a larger machine with parts moving at such speeds. This is why the auto-lock found in the JET JJP-12 is timely. Switching between the machines is seamless and swift, and the controls are easy to access and understand. No need to spend hours learning how to operate this JET combo machine.
This JET JJP-12 is perfect for woodworkers with small spaces but who still want to enjoy a massive capacity combo machine as it sports a 12″ cutting head and powerful motor. It is also affordable, which further improves its appeal.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable
- 3 high-quality knife cutters
- Swift and easy change between the machines
- 3 horsepower motor
- It comes with a stand
- Auto-locking mechanism and cutter head guard improves safety
- 5-year warranty
- It comes with a dust collector
Cons
- Still heavy even for a compact combo machine
- Rough table surface
Bonus Read: 22 Amazing 8×12 Shed Plans
3. Shop Fox W1876 6″ Bench Top Jointer
From the stables of the popular shop fox brand comes this W1876 jointer with a 6″ cutting head. This is a small jointer machine only working 6″ and below wide pieces. However, it packs a lot of power for its size, with its motor having a 1½ horsepower rating.
The cutter head used here is a spiral with 12 inserts rotating at 19000 RPM and making 12000 cuts per minute. It can cut up to ⅛” deep and 6” wide.
The infeed and outfeed table is made of cast aluminum which provides a decent level of durability, especially since it’ll be working on smaller pieces. This machine is affordable and small, sitting on top of your table.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Compact size tabletop design
- High-speed design
- Spiral head cutter head
- Powerful 1.5 HP for a small jointer
Cons
- Small cutter head
4. WEN JT833H 8″ Jointer
Here’s another benchtop jointer machine making this list. It is the WEN JT833H jointer with an 8″ cutting width which is a decent size when working with medium-sized wood. The cutter head used here is a spiral design with 16 HSS blades put in a staggered manner.
The fence is adjustable, and it bevels up to 45 degrees for angled cuts. With a speed of 12000 RPM, you can get smooth woodwork. The infeed table has an adjustable cutting depth from 0 to ⅛“.
One of the advantages of this WEN JT833H jointer is the table size of 33 × 8 inches which can be increased further by extending the support ends. You can extend the length of your table to 51 inches.
When it comes to user safety, this WEN JT833H jointer employs a cutter head blade guard. It is equipped with a spring-loaded design that enables it to expose a small portion of the blade while you work, thereby protecting the user as much as possible.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- The long table length is further extendable to 51 inches to accommodate longer pieces
- Spring-loaded cutter head blade guard
- Spiral cutter head design with 16 HSS blades
- Compactible with WENBP510H replacement spiral blades
- 45 degrees angled cut
Cons
- Power is low
5. WEN JT630H 6″ Jointer
Another WEN jointer makes the cut and this time in the form of the JT630H 6″ benchtop jointer. If you’re looking for a jointer with large table space for your work, this WEN jointer would be a great addition to a 30 by 6 inches table. It sports a spiral cutter head system with 12 HSS blades set in a staggered manner to provide clean cuts. These cuts can be as deep as ⅛” per cut as the blades are adjustable by using the easy-to-grip knobs on the jointer.
It is also the most affordable option on this list while providing a combination of impressive features. One of such features is the impressive 1.5 HP motor and 6″ cutting blade width.
It uses a spring-loaded guard system to cover the blades and reduce the chances of injuries. The two push blocks available also keep your fingers at safe distances away from the blades. Putting your fingers close to blades going at speeds up to 10,000 revolutions per minute can be dangerous.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Good horsepower rating of 1.5
- Large table size of 30 inches
- Spiral cutter head with 12 HSS blades
- Affordable
- Spring-loaded cutter head guard and two push blocks for improved safety
- Beginner-friendly controls
Cons
- Parts are not of the best quality
User Guide – How to Use a Jointer Planer Combo Machine?
Say you just got your first jointer planer combo machine but you don’t know where to start or how to use it effectively. Here are some things to keep in mind as you start enjoying this combo machine in your workstation:
1. Switching Between Jointer and Planer
This is two machines in one doing two different things but using the same cutter head. Typically you start from a jointer before needing a planer. To switch from a jointer to a planer, reposition the jointer fence or remove it entirely, depending on the model. Then raise the table, rotate the chip collection box into the area, and then raise the planer table.
You can then set the cutting depth you want, as most combo machines have adjustable cutting depth. This process may vary slightly depending on the model. Grizzly models typically usually have separate tables, and chip collection boxes.
2. Before You Start
Before you press that start button on your jointer planer combo machine, make sure the machine is in good condition and ready to be used. Check that moving parts are lubricated and the clearance of the knives. Also, examine the fence position to be sure it is properly placed for combo machines with movable fences.
3. Using the Jointer Planer Combo
Remember, the jointer aims to provide a flat surface on one side while the planer provides a matching flat surface at the right angle at the ends. So typically, the jointer comes first.
You pass your piece of wood over the cutter blade to get a smooth surface. Then make the adjustments depending on the type of jointer planer combo you’re using to give you access to the planer section. Set the table cutting height and pass the wood through the table to the other side to get a smooth and angled end.
4. Protect Yourself
While most jointer planer combos have distinct safety features that protect the user. You should also take your safety personally by employing extra measures.
This includes using safety goggles to prevent chips from the wood from flying into your eyes. Wear suitable hearing protection and protective footwear and use only sharp blades.
Summary
Jointer planer combo machines will save you a lot of money, space, and time you would’ve otherwise spent operating two different machines. The combo machine allows you to quickly do your jointing and planing without stress. Everything becomes easier once you get the most suitable combo for you. This is why this article shines, showing you some of the best in the game.
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