Consider Getting a Jointer Planer Combo for Your Tool Collection

Best For: Affordability – CRAFTSMAN 10-Amp Benchtop Jointer
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Aside from your budget, you’re probably looking into jointer planers because you want to save space. To make sure your efforts are not counterintuitive, make sure you purchase a jointer planer with a small footprint.
Pros

What is a Jointer Planer?

Pros:
When you see the words “Grizzly” and “Polar Bear” in the same product line, you know you’re looking at a powerful machine. This 12-Inch Planer/Jointer boasts a 5 HP motor—the most powerful on our list—as well as a practical spiral cutterhead and 4” dust port. If raw horsepower isn’t enough to impress you, maybe its ease of conversion and thermal overload protection feature will! This bad boy may look intimidating, but it’s both easy and safe to use! If you’re looking for a real beast to grace your woodworking shop and make light work of any project, you’ve just found it.
Depending on the model you opt for, you’re looking at anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars for a quality jointer planer.

Do You Need One?

Ideal for the casual DIYer, the 6-Inch Variable Speed Benchtop Jointer from PORTER-CABLE features a capable 10-amp motor, variable speed capabilities (6000 to 11000 RPM), and a large enough work surface for basic day-to-day woodworking tasks. This may be only a jointer, but it has a lot to offer in terms of convenience and user-friendliness: easy setup, replaceable and adjustable knives, and more! It’s also lightweight at 35 pounds and features a strong sheet metal construction, making it perfect for frequent transport. For a basic tabletop jointer that will get the job done, we highly recommend you look into this top contender!  
Cons:
The most affordable JET model on our list, the 10” Jointer/Planer with Stand provides incredible quality considering the price. Serious DIYers and amateur woodworkers will appreciate its 13-amp motor (just under 2 HP), its large knobs for greater user control, and its aluminum-extruded fence for a more stable joining experience. This model also features a big dust port and an overall compact, semi-lightweight design for easy transport. Depending on your preferences, you’ll also appreciate its stand design, which allows you to use the machine standing or on the benchtop. If you need an affordable machine that means business, you need look no further!

• …take up less space than two separate machines would.
• …may cost less than two individual machines would, depending on the model(s).
• …give you the luxury of having two machines in one, so you don’t need to choose between the two.

Keep reading for more information on how to choose the best jointer planer combo for you and to comb through our personal top picks!
Its 5 HP motor is only a fraction of the practical and user-friendly features you can expect from this 12-Inch Planer/Jointer from Grizzly—it’s a beast that can be tamed!

How to Choose a Jointer Planer

That said, you’re going to need both functions available to you for day-to-day woodworking tasks. While you could begin by purchasing one over the other, or simply buy both machines at the same time, there’s a much more economical option: buying a jointer planer combo.

Budget

Cons:
This tabletop jointer from CRAFTSMAN is perfect for new woodworkers or DIYers who need an affordable yet high-quality jointer for their workspace.

Intended Use

Size & Weight

Another factor to consider here is how heavy the machine is. As a rule of thumb, you should opt for jointer planers that are relatively lightweight (unless you know the machine will be staying in one place).
A jointer planer is a machine that combines the features of a jointer and a planer, so that woodworkers (or DIYers) can utilize the functions of both machines without making two separate purchases.

Power

Like any power tool—especially the kind with blades—jointer planers can be dangerous if used incorrectly or if they’re lacking in safety features. Essential features include:

Stand Type

This jointer planer from JET is perfect the DIYer or amateur woodworker who needs plenty of power and convenience from their machine—without breaking the bank.

• Though more expensive than the other two options, the closed stand type has the most durable design and construction. Some may also have included storage space—always a bonus!
• The open stand type is less expensive than its closed variant, and this is reflected in its level of durability. Its design is similar to that of table legs, where there’s empty space beneath the machine rather than a solid base.
• Fold-Down. The fold-down variety tends to make the machine more portable and versatile, though there’s not much to be said about the quality.

Cutting Depth

Best For: Professionalism – JET 12” Planer/Jointer with Helical Head

Number of Blades

Indeed, you can.

Bed Width

Best For: User-Friendly Solo Jointer – PORTER-CABLE 6-Inch Variable Speed Benchtop Jointer

Dust Collection

Pros:

Ease of Use

As mentioned, a jointer planer combo gives you both machine functionalities. Many woodworkers—especially those just starting out—find this very convenient for a number of reasons. To give you an idea, jointer planer combos…
Of course, there’s no need to spend thousands of dollars on a jointer planer if you don’t need all of the features a machine in that price range offers. If you only plan to use the machine for small DIY projects or other light, occasional use, you can get by with a less expensive model.

Safety Features

• Magnetic control switch
• Automatic restart prevention
• Secure cutterhead design
• Kickback protection

The Best Joiner Planer Combos

A jointer planer combo can be an incredibly useful tool, but it’s ultimately up to you whether you need one or not.

JET JJP-10BTOS 10″ Jointer/Planer

Like cutting depth, the number of knives or blades on the machine will vary from one model to another. Many machines will have either two or three blades.
Choosing which jointer planer combo you need (or deciding if you even need one!) is a weighty decision not to be made lightly. We hope our buying guide and product picks helped give you a better idea of what to look for and what to expect. Who knows? Maybe you’ve already found your ideal jointer planer! Until next time, good luck and stay safe.
Choosing which jointer planer combo you need (or deciding if you even need one!) is a weighty decision not to be made lightly. We hope our buying guide and product picks helped give you a better idea of what to look for and what to expect. Who knows? Maybe you’ve already found your ideal jointer planer! Until next time, good luck and stay safe.
Choosing which jointer planer combo you need (or deciding if you even need one!) is a weighty decision not to be made lightly. We hope our buying guide and product picks helped give you a better idea of what to look for and what to expect. Who knows? Maybe you’ve already found your ideal jointer planer! Until next time, good luck and stay safe.
Now that you know a little more about what you’re dealing with, it’s time to have a look at our top jointer planer picks. We’ve included models to satisfy a range of budgets, purposes, and preferences, so you’re sure to find one that just “clicks.” Keep in mind that we’ve also included a couple of solo jointers, just in case you’re looking for something a bit more affordable and straightforward.

• Variable speed
• Knives are replaceable and adjustable
• Portable design
• Easy to set up
• Good dust collection unit