12-in. Jointer/planers Handle Almost Any Board

摘要

A lot of woodworkers' wish lists include a 12-in. jointer to match their 12-in. thickness planer. But a 12-in. jointer is a big expense. That's why, in recent years, combination machines have gained popularity. A 12-in. combo machine gets you both machines in one space-saving package for about the same price as a 12-in. jointer alone. Recently, I looked at two new ones from Grizzly and Laguna. The machines are functionally alike and both are excellent. I planed and jointed white oak, maple, and cherry with each machine and the results were impressive. If forced to pick between the two, I'd lean toward the Grizzly, mainly because of the lower price. As an option on both machines, you can substitute a spiral cutterhead for the standard straight-knifed cutterhead. It adds about $500 to the price but requires less power and produces little tearout, even in very challenging woods.