Don’t you just hate it when you have to deal with the inconvenience of bent, twisted or misleading lumber? After all you cannot build anything with twisted or warped piece of lumber. Fortunately, jointers exist to flatten and straighten bent or warped lumber.
A jointer is a must have for any serious carpenter or woodworker. Problem is the market is flooded with all kinds of jointers. Some are pretty impressive while others are a waste of time. Differentiating between the two especially when on a tight budget can be difficult.
However there are many great budget jointer options. And here is my list of the best budget jointer. I have selected these jointers based on a number of features, which I will share later on in the article.
best budget jointer Reviews
DEWALT Plate Joiner Kit, 6.5-Amp
One of the most popular plate jointers on the market is the Dewalt Plate jointer kit. Given it is from of the most reputed power tool makers out there, its popularity isn’t surprising. However, its brand name isn’t the only reason why it’s popular.
Powering this jointer is a decent 6.5 amp motor that generates 10,000 RPMs at the blade. This is enough to cut through different materials cleanly. It works on both hardwood and softwood. The jointer is powerful enough to cut through PVC material.
When it comes to cutting depth, it has a maximum cutting depth of 20mm. Not too shabby for a budget jointer. With this jointer, you can work with standard biscuit sizes of 0, 10, and 20. It also comes with a fence that is easy to adjust.
This fence has a single design and a non-marring aluminum shoe. With it you can make angular adjustments of 0 to 90 degrees. You can also lock the fence angle into position using a knob. One area where it struggles is in the making of miter biscuits, such as of 135 degrees.
Specifications
- 6.5 amps motor
- 10,000 RPMs
- Non-marring
- aluminum shoe
- One-piece fence that tilts up to 90 degrees
- Rack and pinion system
why i like this model
- Comes with all three standard biscuit sizes 0#, 10# and 20#
- Is powered by a powerful 6.5 amp motor and can cut through softwood, hardwood, and plastic
- Has a rack and pinion system for easily adjusting the fence
- There is an angle gauge that lets you see the angle and can be locked into position
- Has anti-slip pins that help hold the wood in place
Drawbacks
- The fence cannot tilt beyond 90 degrees
- Is not the most stable for cutting obtuse angles
verdict
Priced at a very affordable price, it is easy to use jointer that is fit for both beginners and professionals. While its fence does not tilt beyond 90 degrees, this is a small price to pay for what you are getting at its price point. It is by far the best cheap jointer.
Triton TDJ600 Duo Dowelling Jointer 710W
The Triton TDJ600 Duo Doweling Jointer is one of those tools that is often misunderstood. It is common to find negative reviews about this jointer online. So what exactly does it offer, and does it get criticized for the wrong reasons?
Firstly this is a budget tool priced at below $200. Secondly, it’s a double doweling machine meaning it can drill two dowel holes simultaneously. For centering the dowel holes, it is fitted with a rack and pinion system, which works excellent considering the price.
For making an angled joint, the fence can be adjusted from 0 to 90 degrees. It is important to note that most budget jointers have the same fence configuration. The tool also comes with jig teeth for the exact drilling of repetitive holes. With this jointer, you get a dust collection port. The latter can be connected to an external dust extractor for cleaner work area
Specifications
- 0 to 90 degrees fence adjustments
- Dust port
- 5.9 amps motor
- Anti-slip pads for preventing movement when drilling
- 11 x 4 x 6 inches dimensions
why i like this model
- Is capable of drilling two dowel holes at once
- You can adjust the drill depth to meet the needs of the task at hand
- The fence can be adjusted from 0 to 90 degrees
- Comes with a dust port included that can be attached to an external dust collector
- The on/off switch is well-positioned for easy access
Drawbacks
- The fence can only be adjusted up to 90 degrees
- In some cases, the two dowel holes might not be parallel to one another
verdict
For the price you are paying, this is a great jointer. It doesn’t have any sophisticated features, which is one of its bestselling points. Overall it’s an easy to use jointer that does what it is meant to do very well.
Shop Fox W1829 Benchtop Jointer
Benchtop jointers can cost a fortune, but not this Shop Fox model. Priced at less than $400, it is quite an affordable jointer for what it offers. This jointer is made from cast iron, so you can expect it to serve you for a very long time.
Being a benchtop jointer, it is more powerful than some of the other smaller options on the list. It comes packed with a 12 amp motor capable of speeds of up to 10,000 RPMs. This is sufficient for most tasks and will help get the work done in less time.
Like most of the other options on the list, the adjustments of the fence stop at 90 degrees. There is a dust collection chute that you can attach to a galvanized trash can. Also, you can adjust the depth of cut to meet your needs. Weighing 80 pounds, it is not a lightweight tool. However, its bulky nature helps it in maintaining stability when in use.
Specifications
- 12 amp 1-1/2 Horsepower motor
- 10,000 RPM cutter head speed
- Two-knife HSS cutter head
- 2-1/2 inch dust port
- 1/8 inch maximum depth of cut
why i like this model
- For a six-inch jointer, it is very affordable
- While it is heavy, it does not take up much space
- Comes with a 2-1/2 inch dust port that you
- Can connect to a galvanized trash can
- The fence is fully adjustable up to 90 degrees
- It is made from cast iron meaning it is sturdy and durable
Drawbacks
- Can be challenging to put together especially if you do not have a lot of experience with jointer tools
- The maximum board length you can run through is 4 feet
verdict
The price you get this for is a bargain when you consider it benefits. Sure it has its fair share of drawbacks, but so do all other tools. It is a great tool to have in your workshop. While it is not a small jointer, it will not take up much space.
Cutech 40160H-CT 6" Bench Top Spiral Cutterhead Jointer
If you have a big workshop, then this Cutech 40160H-CT 6″ Bench Top Spiral Cutterhead Jointer will delight you. It has one of the best aesthetically pleasing designs I have ever seen on a tool of its kind. But beyond its good looks, it’s also a capable benchtop jointer with the features to prove it.
As its names suggest, it comes with a cutter that moves in a spiral. This cutter head moves at a speed of up to 11,000 RPMs. Slightly higher than its Shop Fox competitor. Also, this speed is enough to do most tasks you throw at it. In terms of size, the cutter head is 2 inches in width.
As for the countertop, it provides plenty of room for you to move around the wood. It measures 30 inches in diameter and is 6-1/3 inches long. And in regards to weight, it weighs 40 pounds, which is manageable considering some of its competitor’s weight double that.
The source of the jointers power is the ten amps motor. With this motor powering it the jointer is capable of cutting up to 1/8 inches deep. As such it can handle thicker wood with no problems.
Specifications
- 10 amp 120v motor
- 11,000 RPMs for the spiral cutter head
- Adjustable fence up to 135 degrees
- 1/8 inches maximum depth of cut
- 2.5-inch dust port
why i like this model
- Weighing 40 pounds, it is significantly lighter than some of its competitors
- It is offered at an affordable price
- The tool runs on a 120v power plug and can thus be used with standard home power sources
- With a 10 amps motor, this jointer is capable of making 1/8 inch deep cuts
- The fence on this model can be tilted up to 135 degrees
Drawbacks
- The height is a bit too low for some
- The fence is not of the best quality
verdict
The best joiners are those that offer quality at an affordable price. And with its set of features and price, this is definitely one of the best. One surprising thing is its weight. While some weigh up to 80 pounds, this weighs only 40 pounds.
Triton 962537 TDJ600 710W Dowelling Jointer
Another double dowel jointer from Triton that is worth a look at is the Triton 962537 TDJ600 710W Dowelling Jointer. As with the other Triton models on the list, this is also a double doweling jointer.
It comes with a 710w motor and also has 32mm spacing. This helps simplify tasks such as shelving and furniture construction. Also, just like its other counterpart, it comes with an adjustable fence from 0 to 90 degrees.
A precision rack and pinion system are also included in this jointer. This is one of the best small jointers around. As such, it is easy to set up, especially for rapid repeat operations. The handle is insulated and features a hex key storage. You get 2 8 mm diameter drill bits as well as a heavy-duty carry bag for when you need to take this jointer with you.
Specifications
- 2 8 mm diameter drill bits
- 0 to 90 degrees fence adjustments
- 710 w motor
- 0-38 mm fast setting drill depth
- 32 mm spacing
why i like this model
- Is easy to set up
- Comes with a heavy-duty carry bag for easy transportation
- Features an all-metal construction for durability
- Has a precision rack and pinion system for
- easy height adjustments
- It is lightweight and compact
Drawbacks
- The fence is only adjustable up to 90 degrees
verdict
This model is durable and offers excellent performance. It is a particular favorite of carpenters for use in shelving and furniture construction works. Blade changing and installation is easy, which adds to the allure of this jointer.
How to choose Best budget jointer
So what features did I picking my top 5 best budget jointers? There are a couple of things always to consider when buying a budget jointer. Here are the main ones.
Power
To be able to straighten anything you need power. That means any jointer you consider for purchase should be powerful enough to meet your needs. Ideally, a power output of 1Horsepower is sufficient for most standard tasks. It is worth noting that the more powerful a jointer is, the more expensive it is.
The bed size
The bed size is how wide a jointer can shave off at a go. For the budget-conscious buyer, I recommend a 6-inch benchtop jointer at the most. This is enough for most of the tasks you are likely to handle.
However, you can opt for an 8-inch jointer if you are working with materials that are more than 6 inches wide. For the most part, though, a 6-inch jointer will suffice.
The cutting depth
How many passes does a jointer have to make before you get a polished finish? This is what is cutting depth it. The deeper the cut depth, the less time you will need on a piece of wood or any other material. For efficiency, this is an essential factor to consider.
Portability
Depending on the nature of your work, you may need to look for a portable jointer. If you plan on moving a lot with your jointer, a portable one will be ideal. A 40-pound jointer will be easier to move than a 600 pound one. If you are looking for something portable, then even the best 12-inch jointer will not make much sense.
Knife adjustments
It is also important to consider how easy it is to adjust the knives. Most budget jointers offer two knives, while more premium models feature four blades. Thus at this price point, a two-knife jointer will be more than capable.
Why you need a jointer instead of a planer
Jointers and planers are two different tools that are often used together. Which begs the question, which one is more important? For serious carpentry works, both tools will be ideal. However, one will be of greater importance.
A jointer is used to flatten or straighten a warped piece of wood. It can also be used to square edges. On the other hand, a planer is used to create a uniform thickness throughout an entire board. As such, a piece of wood has to be passed through a jointer first then through a planer second.
This is generally the order in which these two tools are used. Thus if you are looking to flatten or straighten warped pieces of wood, you will need a jointer. While a planer can be an excellent addition, a jointer will have to come first.
Final Verdict
Ultimately the best budget jointer depends on your needs. There are all kinds of jointers on the market, and not all are suited to your needs. From the list above, you will be able to pick out one that best suits you based on your needs.
Last update on 2020-02-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
