Searching for the perfect jointer planer combo can be a tough task. Make a hasty choice, and you might end up with wasted materials and the hassle of spending more money on a replacement.
That’s why understanding what you need from a jointer planer is crucial. Today, I’ll help you pinpoint the right machine for your project.
Reviews of the Top Jointer Planer Combos
1. Jet JJP-8BT 8″ Jointer / Planer Combo
The JET JJP-8BT is the best overall jointer planer combo model that will deal with your demands quickly and precisely while taking up as little room as possible on your workbench.
With the large, ergonomic knobs, you’ll have complete command and an even lighter touch. The machined surface of the tabletop allows for precise, error-free cutting.
The 13-amp power and the two fast-moving blades make this device quite useful. The Jet JJP-8BT 8” combination of planing and joining allows precise cutting. With its lightweight 67 pounds, big metal jointer fence, and built-in cable wrap, this playpen is easy to move and store.
What I Like
- It has a 13-amp motor
- It's a compact and light tabletop model
- The quick feed rating is excellent
- I like the high fence
What I Don't Like
- No adjustment screws
- Leveling may not be for beginners
2. RIKON 25-210H 12” Planer/Jointer
The RIKON 25-210H is a gigantic floor machine with a 3 HP, 3400 RPM, 220V motor and can do extremely simple cuts. It has 56 interchangeable carbide inserts in helical cutter tips of 4 rows, allowing for the cleanest finish possible.
This is the best combo machine that accepts feed rates of up to 23 FPM (feet per minute) and takes up minimal room on the ground because of its sleek design.
It features simple controls for improved speed and accuracy and performs more silently and cleanly than competing models.
What I Like
- Rikon power tools are proven sturdy
- It has a four-row cutter
- This tool is powerful
- The 23 FPM feed rate is impressive
- It has a 5-year guarantee
What I Don't Like
- May not be for longer boards
- Its carbide inserts can be expensive
3. JET JJP-12 12-Inch Jointer Planer
The JET JJP-12 has a three-knife cutterhead in steel for quick slicing and a clean cut every time. The unique shape keeps the jointer planer table near the cutter head for accurate and detailed adjustments and a better overall result.
The huge fence of the JET JJP-12 has centralized controls for quick, precise modifications. This equipment allows the user to go from planing to joining in a flash without shifting its fence. This jointer/planer has a 3 HP asynchronous motor [1] and can manage any job.
What I Like
- The stand includes mounting tabs
- It has huge controls
- The rapid cutting is accurate
- It has a quick release fence
- Rubber outfeed rollers reduce vibrations
What I Don't Like
- Hazardous safety problem
- Manufacturing problems
- Poor-quality bracket
4. Jet JJP-10BTOS 10" Jointer/Planer Combo
The Jet JJP 10BTOS is an ideal compromise between effectiveness and affordability. It has a feed rate of 19 1/2 feet per minute, and the two HSS knives spin at 9,000 revolutions per minute.
In the jointer function, the optimum depth of cut is 1/8 inch, and in the planer setting, it’s 5/64 inch. The transition is quick and painless.
You can install it on a kitchen counter or on the stand that’s included, and a regular household current powers it. If you’re a hobbyist with limited resources, this tool may be a good fit for your needs.
What i Like
- Stand/Benchtop or lunchbox planer combo
- It's a good value for money
- Delivers high-quality performance
- 74 lbs integrated cord wrap
- It comes with a blade guard for safety
What i Don't Like
- Not the most durable stand
- Steel and aluminum planer jointer tables
- Poor quality infeed and outfeed table
5. JET JJP-12HH 12” Planer/Jointer
The JET JJP-12HH is one of the simplest to switch between a planer and a planer jointer and vice versa because the jointer fence may remain in place during the process. For a smoother and quieter cut, it features a helical cutter head with indexable carbide inserts that you can rotate, flip or exchange without interrupting the machine.
There is far less chipping and tear-out with a spiral cutter head since there are no projecting blades and since it is immovable, fine-tuning the individual knives is unnecessary. The planer jointer table of the JET JJP-12 is kept within easy reach of the cutter head thanks to the parallelogram shape, which enables fine-tuning the cutting depth.
What I Like
- The conversion is easy
- The parallelogram design looks sturdy
- Easy to adjust fences to their maximum cutting width
- It has a 3 HP induction motor
- Easy to adjust outfeed and infeed table
What I Don't Like
- You need to adjust the jointer tables to be coplanar
- The ribbed bed increases friction
6. Ridgid JP0610 Planer, 6-1/8-Inch Jointer
A 1 HP motor drives 12 to 6 amps of current in the Ridgid JP0610, based on whether it is wired for 120 or 240 volts.
This machinery uses three 6-inch knives to make 10350 cuts per minute, only spinning at 3450 RPM. It is made of cast iron, which significantly lessens vibration and makes it an inexpensive option. It has a maximum planing altitude of 6″.
The Ridgid JP0610 does a decent job of justifying its price thanks to its unique features, such as its ability to produce cuts on workpieces independent of the bevel angle.
What I Like
- The accessories are included
- It enables interior bevels
- This tool enables rabbet cuts
- It's a powerful machine
What I Don't Like
- It requires assembling
- Adjustment can be difficult
7. Vevor 8” Jointer Planer Combo
This tool has been constructed to endure moderate utilization of its copper motor, aluminum frame, and steel base. It performs well for its cost. If you need a dependable and inexpensive instrument, this is the one you should choose.
Aside from being a cost-effective model, the Vevor 8” jointer/planer combo is also one of the easiest to operate. The crank handle made it easy for us to adjust and cut more accurately.
A dust collector is included in this small 6-inch helical head that can cut hardwood. In the event of an electrical overload, it will automatically shut off.
What I Like
- The performance is good
- The dust collector is included
- The best jointer planer combo for the money
What I Don't Like
- Smaller in size
- May require an adapter/converter
Jointer Planer Combo Buyer’s Guide
Design and Build Quality
The table material composition is a crucial part of a jointer planer because it determines the amount of vibration transferred to the object. The density and weight of the cast iron make it the ideal element for this use, followed by steel and aluminum.
The absence of damage to the cut face on the way out may also play a role in your final selection, so it’s worth checking out the outfeed table.
Feed rollers in rubber are used on more sophisticated jointer planer equipment, but plain metals will suffice for all but the softest woods.
Power
The motor’s power and amp draw should be considered when choosing the best jointer planer combo for your projects. When shopping for jointer planer combo machines, the amp rating will reveal how much juice the machine can keep chugging along on under stress.
In contrast, the horsepower rating will give you a sense of the machine’s peak cutting capability.
While you cannot disregard it entirely, power isn’t the most crucial aspect of jointer planer equipment. In most cases, even less powerful jointer/planer machines may perform well, although at a slower pace under stress than more potent ones.
Cutterhead Style
Knife
This is the most prevalent cutter form for both jointer planer combo machines and standalone cutting tools.
The large, single-sided blade of the machine’s knife is what does the shaving. Compared to helical cutters, this kind of cutter is much more affordable, but it also causes more vibrations and leaves a rougher surface that needs further sanding.
Helical
Helical cutters, as opposed to knives, include many rows of tiny 4-sided inserts, and are frequently used in a modern, high-performance combo machine.
These cutters inside the insert rows create increasingly finer cuts along the row while the inserts spin, which results in a substantially cleaner cut face. These cutters last longer but are more costly.
Blades
Some models may have fewer knives than others, but multiple-bladed jointer planer combo machines are common. The spiral cutter head is an improvement over previous designs. It could have as many as 56 tiny square blades arranged in rows that circle the head.
Each square blade may be easily unscrewed and adjusted to a new, sharp edge as it begins to dull. Eventually, blades have to be replaced, which takes time.
RPMs
To calculate the number of cuts made per minute, the total cutters should be multiplied by the revolutions per minute. Higher RPMs are preferable for cutting through tougher materials.
The feed pace in feet per minute (fpm) is affected by the cutter speed and the number of cutters.
The speed of the best woodworking machines may be more significant than its power, based on the type of materials at hand and the preferred work rate. Remember that there are a few other speeds to think about, but the cutters’ RPM count is the most crucial.
Cutting Capacity
Some jointer planer combination machines can make specialty cuts that take more than 1/8″ of the workpiece in a single pass.
Aside from the overall capacity, the greatest height the equipment can cut is also important because it defines the maximum thickness of the workpiece.
Many woodworkers want, if not simply require, higher capacities from their jointers and planers. However, this largely depends on the nature of the projects you do.
The breadth and depth of cut are the primary capacities to think about since they determine the maximum project size and the total amount of resources that can be cut in a single motion.
Cost
Buying jointer planer combo machines is not about cost but justification. You’d rather spend less on a piece of high-quality equipment that you know will last and function well than more on a low-quality one that you know will break or underperform.
In addition, investing in a jointer planer combo machine can save space in your workshop while providing versatility and efficiency in your woodworking projects, making it a worthwhile long-term investment for serious woodworkers.
Reasons to Get a Good Jointer Planer Combo
Though separate machines are important in their own right when integrated into one machine, their benefits are multiplied.
Jointer planers are a great option for those who want to go into woodworking but don’t have the room. There will be a slight reduction in storage space when using a planer combo instead of buying the two tools separately.
The combined cost of a jointer planer machine is typically lower than buying the two tools separately.
Additionally, there is a wide range in price between different designs of a planer jointer combo, so even those with limited funds can find one that works for them because these are somewhat expensive machines.
FAQ
What is the difference between a joiner and a jointer?
The difference between a joiner and a jointer is that the latter is a machine used to even out the grain of the wood and create precise cuts, while the former allows you to precisely cut small joints into small crescent-shaped cut wood edges, making it an ideal substitute for the Festool Domino.
Do I need a planer or jointer?
The answer to whether you need a planer or jointer depends on the type of project you have on hand since planers and jointers are power tools that can manage two interconnected but at the same time very dissimilar tasks.
Next Read: How to Join Two Boards Lengthwise
My Top Pick For a Jointer Planer Combo: Jet JJP-8BT
Our top choice for the best jointer planer combo machine is the 8-inch Jet JJP-8BT. Its portability and low profile make it a great fit for cramped offices. Even though these jointer planers are small, they pack a punch! With a powerful 13-amp motor, they keep up the pace, ensuring smooth cuts even when they’re working hard.
They can make an impressive 18,000 cuts per minute at 9,000 RPM. Just a heads-up: since they use only two blades, it’s best not to rush the material through too quickly. Happy woodworking!
Robert Johnson is a passionate furniture maker & carpenter, sought after for his knowledge on the craft.
You’ve probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.
Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.
