Planer or Jointer

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jkeithrussell

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If you could buy either a planer or a jointer, but not both, which would you buy? I do mostly crafty type woodworking, small boxes, pens, scroll saw puzzles and crafts, etc. Sometimes I feel like having the boards planed would be most helpful, other times I wish I could get a reliable square edge.
 
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I feel the same way. If you have a TS get the planer...Its really nice to change thicknesses with a planer...I recommend the ridgid from HD

Grub32
 
I have had my shop for a little over 30 years now and am on my second planer having had a planer for probably 20 of those years and only saw fit to add a jointer the past 7 years. In everything I do, I probably use the planer 10 to 1 over the jointer.

If you decide on a planer, don't skimp and get a GOOD one or the snipes will eat you alive!
 
In addition to a tablesaw, it's very easy to modify a router table, especially one with a split fence, to be able to joint edges cleanly. I'd chose a planer over a jointer as well.
 
I would think hard about a thickness sander instead of either a planer or jointer UNLESS I was getting rough sawn lumber such as produced by "thick and thin milling company" in which case I would get the planer.

Have a jet thickness planer and use it all the time now that it is there. To surface rough cut boards, it makes the sound of air rushing into a vacuum. anything else, it works well.
 
Go for a planner if you must. A jointer is only good for removing the joints from your fingers. I have a Rigid planner and I can't say how many hundreds of board feet of lumber has gone thru mine. Blades are easy to change, without a lot of hassle as well.
 
Ok, thanks.

I've been leaning toward the planer, and I think I'll stick with that. I need to figure out how to build a sled for my table saw so that I can get square edges.
 
I definitely use my planer more often than I to the jointer. I do know other woodworkers who are exaclty the opposite, though. Each can solve some problems the other can't without an elaborate jig but if I had to do it over again I would pass on the jointer and put more into a table saw. Or maybe a big honking planer...

Marc
 
I have had the Ridgid planer for about 6 years and no problems. I would go for the Dewalt if I had it to do now.
 
I just bought a Ridgid planer off of craigslist. It's my 1st planer so I can't compare to another model but I am very pleased with it. I just planned several board feet of oak that were church pews at one time and it didn't struggle at all and came out perfect. I also have a joiner attachment for my shopsmith and have used it a couple of times but could probably have done without it if I had to. My .02
 
I say go with the planer, also. I've seen jigs in the woodworking magazines that will support a board on edge so the edge can be planed. Of course this does require boards that are not too wide to be held on edge, but you did say that you work with small boards.
 
I say planer. Ive had one for about fifteen years now and it has saved me lots, especially being able to use recycled lumber. Just a few passes and it looks new again. Not to mention the ability to customize as you go. You would be suprised how much free hardwood is out there. (machine and shipping crates, old barns, construction co beams, etc.)
 
I have both and I use them both for just about every project, but then I get all my lumber rough cut. If I could only have one I would go with the planer. You can get a straight edge on the board with your table saw and using a sled there are methods to use the planer to get a flat surface.

Oh you better have a dust collector because they make a pile of shavings real fast.
 
Planer, there are a lot of ways to joint a board, but planing is something only a planer does. Even a router table can be set up to joint.
 
I just got an email from Amazon advertising Jet tools and they have a couple of combo planer/jointer machines, might be the answer to your problem.
 
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