Have you been reading 6-inch jointer reviews online? There’s no shortage as a lot of jointers can be purchased today, but choosing from the many options can overwhelming.
This is a concern for the first time buyer and I know how bewildering it is especially if you really need one right now.
If the above description fits you, I’ve explained the fundamentals in the buyer’s guide section. If you’re new to jointers and don’t know where to start, start with the guide.
If you’re looking for a specific product, please check out the reviews.
Top Six 6 Inch Jointer: Comparison
Product | Cutterhead | Fence Adjustment | Dimensions | Weight | View on Amazon |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Porter Cable 6 Inch Variable Speed Bench Jointer | 2 knives, 6,000 – 11,000 RPM | 90 to 135 degrees | 32.1 x 12.4 x 11.2 inches | 40.56 pounds | Check Price |
Cutech 40160H-CT 6″ Bench Top Spiral Cutterhead Jointer | 2 knives, 11,000 RPM | 90 to 135 degrees | 32″ X 12 1/4″ X 11″ | 40 pounds | Check Price |
Shop Fox W1829 Benchtop Jointer | 2 knives, 10,000 RPM, 20,000 CPM (cuts per minute) | 45 to 90 degrees | 29.5 x 19.8 x 12.5 inches | 80 pounds | Check Price |
Delta Power Tools 37-071 6 Inch MIDI-Bench Jointer | 2 knives, 10,000 RPM, 20,000 CPM | 45 to 90 degrees | 35 x 17 x 13 inches | 76 pounds | Check Price |
Grizzly G0725 6 by 28-Inch Benchtop Jointer | 2 knives, 10,000 RPM, 20,000 CPM | 45, 90, to 135 degrees | 15 x 32.5 x 11.2 inches | 81.15 pounds | Check Price |
Powermatic 1791317K 54HH 6-Inch Jointer | Helical carbide inserts | 45 to 90 degrees | 66 x 24 x 37.5 inches | 328 pounds | Check Price |
Best Picks of 6 Inch Jointer
#1: Porter Cable 6 Inch Variable Speed Bench Jointer
The Porter Cable is a versatile bench jointer for DIY, home improvement and other projects. It comes with a center mounted fence so edge jointing cuts get the necessary support.
The Porter Cable jointer has a sizable surface, allowing you to stock inches wide. Another nice thing about it is the built-in cutter headlock, as that makes knife adjustment and replacement simpler.
A close inspection shows it has a jackscrew knife and 2-knife cutter head arrangement, making a lot of your work easier.
The variable speed is the highlight for a lot of users though. With the 6,000 – 11,000 RPM range you can make the cuts as precise as it needs to be.
The jointer allows you to work up to 64” longboards. You can hook it up to a 2 1/2 vac via a reducing adapter.
Both the table and fence are built from solid metal, and the speed control works very well. Adjusting the fence and depth cut is easy but many users will find the default settings suitable for their needs.
Regarding the knives, they’re easy to replace and sharpen. Replacements are cheap enough but if you’d rather sharpen them it’s all right.
What I Like
- 6500 – 1100 RPM
- Easy knife replacement and adjustment
- Excellent support during the entire process
- Sufficient surface space
- Cutter head integrated
- Durable construction
What I Didn’t Like
- Tightening knobs are made of plastic
- Too much pressure causes the fence to move
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#2: Cutech 40160H-CT 6″ Bench Top Spiral Cutterhead Jointer
The 40160H-CT is a versatile tool designed for novices and serious DIY workers alike. It has 12 two-sided inserts so you get a high-quality finish.
A 2 and a half inch dust port is included, improving evacuation of chips and minimizing tear cut. The unit also has push blocks and all the essential tools for replacing and rotating cutter tips.
The 40160H has a 10 amp, 120-volt motor, more than enough for common tasks. Yet the jointer weighs only 40 lbs so it’s convenient to transport.
Made from heavy-duty materials, the 40160H has a maximum capacity of 30” x 6” x 1/8” (L W x D). The extra generous capacity makes this an excellent choice for some heavy-duty DIY work.
Its fence is 4 3/8” high by 19 5/8” and adjusts easily. You can adjust the tilt from 90 to degrees depending on what you need to do.
The aluminum table is well made and is one of the best spiral cutting types available. The fence and dust collector need to be attached but it’s easy to do.
The Cutech goes through hard and soft woods smoothly including 40” long red oaks without difficulty.
What I Like
- Easy to adjust
- Powerful motor
- Adjustable fence
- Push blocks included
- Ideal for professionals and beginners
- Excellent spiral type cutterhead
What I Didn’t Like
- he guard could use a better design
- Stock can be hard to push if you don’t wax it first
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#3: Shop Fox W1829 Benchtop Jointer
The W1829 is powered by a 12 amp, 60 Hz, 110 v 1 1/2 motor and does 20,000 cuts a minute. Its cutter head speed goes up to 10,000 RPM so you can do more work in less time.
The fence stops at 90 and 45 degrees, and it’s easy to adjust as well. Does your project need a different angle? Just stop the fence and set the appropriate angle.
This 6-inch jointer is made from heavy-duty cast iron that complements the fence for more efficient results.
You can set the bevel jointing to 45 degrees, and its impeller draws chips from the cutter head and sends them to the dust port. It also has a dust connector filter chute designed for use with galvanized trash cans.
With 1 1/2 HP there’s enough power here to handle most projects and tasks. The cast iron table is built to precision, and its vacuum mechanism does an excellent job managing shavings and dust.
The infeed table is easy to adjust for the tasks you want to do. The jointer weighs 80 lbs, giving it stability when you’re using it.
The W1829 also comes with a two-knife HSS cutter. This is an important feature as it keeps the cuts clean.
What I Like
- Solidly built
- Stable even when under heavy pressure
- Dust port runs very well
- Cuts cleanly
- Powerful motor
- Safety push blocks included
What I Didn’t Like
- Setting up the fence could be easier
- A better manual is needed though it’s easy to use
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#4: Delta Power Tools 37-071 6 Inch MIDI-Bench Jointer
The Delta Power 37-071 jointer that supports depths 1/8 inches. Its fence system comes with stops at 90 and 45 degrees so you can work with greater precision.
The fence itself is made of cast iron and provides ample support for pinpoint jointing. This level of accuracy in both fence and table makes the Delta Power a handy choice for beginners and long-time jointer users.
The unit has 2 knives and is good for up to 20,000 cuts per minute. With the Delta Power 37-071 you can do a lot more precision jobs.
The Delta Power is easy to use and adjustment controls respond quickly. It’s a snap to hook up the dust port for easy cleaning.
The 37-071 is a well-made jointer and does what you expect it to. Aligning the fence takes a bit of time but when it’s set works out fine.
The 37-071 is suited for making furniture, crafts and other DIY projects. The jointer is particularly good for aligning pellet wood.
The 37-071 series has a good deal of power so you can use it on a 2×6. The blades last a long time but they are easy to replace if necessary.
What I Like
- Made from durable materials
- Supports up to 1/8” deep cuts
- Doesn’t slip around
- Fence doesn’t move once set
- Great for precision work
What I Didn’t Like
- Oil applied during shipping takes some effort to remove
- A bit of wood shaving gets past the exhaust port
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#5: Grizzly G0725 6 by 28-Inch Benchtop Jointer
The G0725 is a compact but powerful jointer designed for small and large jobs alike. Running on a 1 1/2 hp motor, it allows you to do a lot more work without getting stressed.
The G0725 has a compact design so it won’t eat up as much space as other jointers. It also has a 45-degree bevel adjustment for greater precision when you’re crafting.
The cutting head knives are easy to adjust and the dust collection system keeps your workspace clean. There’s also an infeed table adjustment knob and the fence stops at 45, 90 and 135 degrees.
The mounting base is 19 1/2 x 10 1/2” so it does not occupy a lot of space when set up. You can’t adjust the outfeed table, only the input side. However, this doesn’t affect the overall performance.
The G0725 runs consistently especially with short and medium size pieces. Getting the in and outfeed to work is easy too.
This is not the most powerful 6-inch jointer in the market, but it is suitable for small and light tasks. The G0725 should also appeal to pros who want a backup for their main jointer.
Whether you make wood toys or small furniture, this is one jointer that gets the work done.
What I Like
- Powerful 1 1/2 HP motor
- 10,000 RPM speed
- Solid table
- Easy to use
- Dust port built in
- 2 cutterhead knives
What I Didn’t Like
- Not suited for very long pieces
- The instruction manual needs improvement
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#6: Powermatic 1791317K 54HH 6-Inch Jointer with helical cutterhead
The 54HH 1317K 6 inch helical cutter head jointer designed for quieter and smoother operation. It has forty 4-sided knife inserts and built expressly for heavy-duty work.
The 54HH is equipped with a one-phase, 115/230 volt, 1 HP, one phase motor to handle whatever you throw at it. The motor is mounted so you can easily modify the belt tension when it’s necessary.
The infeed table comes with a rapid adjustment lever to make certain you’ll be able to cut with precision. A dust collector is also built-in so it keeps your working environment clean.
The 54HH also has a real helical cutter head design so you get maximum benefits. The inserts also come with a 4-inch radius ground for genuine 14-degree angle when cutting wood.
The 54HH also has a 66-inch long table, making it a great choice to work on long pieces. There’s also a handwheel under the table for feeding adjustment.
What I Like
- Four sided knife inserts
- Adjustable outfeed and infeed tables
- Doesn’t male a lot of noise when cutting
- Runs smoothly
- Helical cutterhead
- All steel base cabinet
- Belt tension adjusts easily
What I Didn’t Like
- Heavy
- Needs assembly
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What is a Jointer?
This tool is used to create flat surfaces along a wood’s fence and edge. This tool is especially useful if you like to make your own furniture and other woodwork. Jointers today come with different features to make your tasks easier.
How to Choose the Best 6 Inch Jointer
- Table Flatness: if it’s supposed to flatten materials, the surface must be flat and sturdy.
- Firm: moderate pressure should not cause the jointer to bend.
- Length: long tables leads to straighten lines. However, the ideal length depends on the project you’re working on.
- Features: get a jointer with only the features you need. There’s no need to get long fences if you’re not going to use it.
- Wheels vs. Levers: in-feed and out-feed adjustment are done via wheels or levers. Some prefer wheels while others like levers, it’s up to you.
- Spinal Cutting Head: some of the newer jointers have 4 sided cutters arranged in such a way that makes it easy to slice wood.
- Weight: the heavier the jointer is, the more stable it will be.
- Dimensions: make sure your workspace is sufficient for the machine.
Final Verdict
Bench jointers are a dime in a dozen but the six products here stand out from the rest. Of the six through the Porter Cable Jointer is the best overall when it comes to features and performance.
What I like about the Porter Cable is its variable speed as makes it easy to find the right setting. I also like how convenient it is to replace knives when needed.
These 6-inch jointer reviews have shown how good these machines can be, but for maximum value and efficiency, I’d go with the Porter Cable.