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Jointer width and jointer-planers: 6, 8, 10 and 12 inch compared

A jointer's width rating is its maximum cutting width. WEN's benchtop lineup goes from a 6-inch model with a 30-by-6-inch table to a 12-inch model with a 34-by-12-3/16-inch table. Jointer-planers such as RIKON's 25-212H use one cutterhead and lift their jointer tables out of the way for planing.

What does a jointer's width rating mean?

WEN describes a jointer as two long, flat tables on either side of a rotating cutterhead plus a large fence, with the infeed table set lower than the outfeed table. (WEN Products)

Makers list a maximum cutting width: RIKON gives 6" for the 20-600H and 8" (203.20mm) for the 20-800H. (Rikon Power Tools, Inc.; Rikon Power Tools, Inc.)

Powermatic lists the 54HH's cutting capacity as 1/2" x 6" (depth by width).

6 vs 8 vs 10 vs 12 inch jointers: how do the specs change?

WEN sells benchtop spiral jointers in four widths, which makes its lineup a useful side-by-side. The figures are WEN's.

The 6-inch JT630H has a 30-by-6-inch table and 12 staggered HSS blades on a 10-amp motor. (WEN Products)

The 8-inch JT833H has a 33-by-8-inch table with support arms that extend up to 51 inches, and 16 staggered HSS blades on a 10-amp motor. (WEN Products)

The 10-inch JT1020H has a 34 by 10-3/16 inch table and 20 HSS blades, and the 12-inch JT1224H has a 34-by-12-3/16-inch cast iron table and 24 HSS blades; both run 12-amp motors and have support arms that extend up to 54 inches. (WEN Products; WEN Products)

RIKON's 6" 20-600H lists a 30" x 6-1/8" table with 12 two-sided HSS inserts, and its 8" 20-800H lists a 30-1/2" x 8-3/16" table with 16 two-sided carbide inserts. (Rikon Power Tools, Inc.; Rikon Power Tools, Inc.)

How long is a jointer's table?

Benchtop tables in these lineups run about 30 to 34 in.: RIKON lists 30" for the 20-600H, and WEN lists 34 inches for the JT1020H. (Rikon Power Tools, Inc.; WEN Products)

Powermatic's 6-inch 54HH, a stand-mounted jointer, lists a 7-1/4 x 66 in. table.

Felder lists a total planer table length of 78¾ in. for its AD 741 jointer-planer. (Felder Group)

What is a jointer-planer combination machine?

WEN describes jointer-planers as machines, usually floor-standing, that combine a planer and jointer and use the same cutterhead for each function. (WEN Products)

WEN also says a combination machine often costs about the same as buying both machines separately but takes less space. (WEN Products)

RIKON lists a 12" jointer and planer width on the 25-212H, and 16" on the 25-216H, both with an 8" planer maximum height. (Rikon Power Tools, Inc.; Rikon Power Tools, Inc.)

Felder lists a 16 in. surface planing width and a ⅛-9 in. thicknessing height for the AD 741. (Felder Group)

How does a jointer-planer switch between modes?

RIKON says the 25-212H's one-piece jointer tables lift up and out of the way for planer use, or to reach the cutterhead. (Rikon Power Tools, Inc.)

RIKON's 25-216H page describes the same one-piece jointer tables that lift out of the way for planer use. (Rikon Power Tools, Inc.)

Felder says the AD 741 converts from planer to thicknesser by lifting its spring-assisted planer tables simultaneously. (Felder Group)

Taikra doesn't rank or test tools; every figure here is from the maker's own page or manual, linked.

Setup and operating instructions are in each maker's manual.

Jointer width and jointer-planers: questions answered from the sources

What's the difference between WEN's 6-inch and 8-inch jointers?

WEN lists a 30-by-6-inch table and 12 HSS blades for the JT630H, and a 33-by-8-inch table with arms extending to 51 inches and 16 HSS blades for the JT833H.

Sources: WEN JT630H 10-Amp 6-Inch Spiral Benchtop Jointer; WEN JT833H 10-Amp 8-Inch Spiral Benchtop Jointer with Extendable Table

Is there a 12-inch benchtop jointer?

Yes. WEN lists the JT1224H with a 34-by-12-3/16-inch cast iron table and 24 HSS blades.

Source: WEN JT1224H 12-Amp 12-Inch Spiral Benchtop Jointer with Extendable Cast Iron Table

Do jointer-planers use one cutterhead for both jobs?

WEN describes combination machines as using the same cutterhead for each function.

Source: An Introduction to Planers and Jointers

How do you change a RIKON 25-212H to planer mode?

RIKON says its one-piece jointer tables lift up and out of the way for planer use.

Source: 25-212H: 12" Planer/Jointer with Helical Cutter Head

How wide can the Felder AD 741 surface-plane?

Felder lists a surface planing width of 16 in. and a thicknessing height of ⅛-9 in.

Source: Jointer-Planer AD 741

Sources

  1. An Introduction to Planers and Jointers — WEN Products
  2. WEN JT630H 10-Amp 6-Inch Spiral Benchtop Jointer — WEN Products
  3. WEN JT833H 10-Amp 8-Inch Spiral Benchtop Jointer with Extendable Table — WEN Products
  4. WEN JT1020H 12-Amp 10-Inch Spiral Benchtop Jointer with Extendable Cast Iron Table — WEN Products
  5. WEN JT1224H 12-Amp 12-Inch Spiral Benchtop Jointer with Extendable Cast Iron Table — WEN Products
  6. 20-600H 6" Benchtop Jointer with Helical-Style Cutterhead Operator's Manual (20-600HM5) — Rikon Power Tools, Inc.
  7. 20-800H 8" Benchtop Jointer with Helical-Style Cutterhead Operator's Manual — Rikon Power Tools, Inc.
  8. Operating Instructions and Parts Manual 6-inch Woodworking Jointer Models 54A and 54HH (M-1791279DX Rev E) — Powermatic (2018)
  9. 25-212H: 12" Planer/Jointer with Helical Cutter Head — Rikon Power Tools, Inc.
  10. 25-216H: 16" Planer/Jointer with Helical Cutter Head — Rikon Power Tools, Inc.
  11. Jointer-Planer AD 741 — Felder Group