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CRAFTSMAN CMEW020
- Dual-knife cutter head
- Variable spend up to 22,000 CPM
- Manufacturer warranty
Powermatic 54HH
- Robust cast iron construction
- Accurate machine
- Quiet operation
PORTER-CABLE PC160JT
- Decent table lengths
- Extra-fast cutter speed
- Generous 3-year manufacturer warranty
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Some people might consider a jointer a luxury tool. Indeed, any tool that flattens and squares rough, warped, edges is a miracle tool that some hobbyist woodworkers might not feel the need to have.
If you get a good 6-inch jointer, you’ll have the capacity to prep large boards without spending a tiny fortune.
In this guide, we’ll show you what the best 6-inch jointer is on the market after comparing over 25 different models.
Best 6-inch Jointer – CRAFTSMAN CMEW020
The best 6-inch jointer out over 25 models we analyzed and compared is the CRAFTSMAN CMEW020.
This powerful yet lightweight jointer provides up to 22,000 CPM at up to 1/8 of an inch. Plus, it’s backed by a generous 3-year warranty you can’t pass up.
Here’s what the CRAFTSMAN CMEW020’s key specifications look like—
- 10A Motor
- 12-22000 CPM
- 30-inch Infeed + Outfeed Tables
- 3-Year Warranty
The CRAFTSMAN CMEW020 sports a robust 10A motor that drives the two-knife cutterhead at speeds of up between 12,000 and 22,000 CPM.
This is one of the few 6-inch benchtop jointers that comes with variable cutting speeds, letting you work with softer and denser types of wood without causing accidental chipping on the board.
This jointer can shave up to 1/8 of an inch at a time per pass.
The infeed and outfeed tables combined measure in at 30 inches, giving your maximum support for longer boards and logs.
The tables are made of durable cast iron that shouldn’t warp, even if you drop heavier boards on top.
Pros
- Dual-knife cutter head
- Variable spend up to 22,000 CPM
- Generous manufacturer warranty
- Easy to adjust and replace knives
Cons
- Could come with a dust/chip collection bag
The CMEW020 is the ideal 6-inch jointer for homeowners and aspiring woodworkers. It’s easy to maintain and is relatively inexpensive compared to other 6-inch models.
Top 6-inch-jointer in the Market Compared
| Product Image | Product Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| | Best Overall -CRAFTSMAN CMEW020 |
| Check Today's Price |
| | Best Premium -Powermatic 54HH |
| Check Today's Price |
| | Best Budget -PORTER-CABLE PC160JT |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Delta 37-071 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Shop Fox W1829 |
| Check Today's Price |
 | Cutech 40160H-CT |
| Check Today's Price |
 | JET JJ-6CSDX |
| Check Today's Price |
Reviews of Best 6-inch-jointer
Best Premium - Powermatic 54HH
Key Specifications
- 1-HP Motor
- 18,000 CPM
- 66-inch Infeed + Outfeed Tables
- Helical Cutterhead
The Powermatic 54HH is highly regarded as being one of the best 6-inch jointers for professional woodworking shops.
It boasts a hefty 1-HP motor that delivers up to 18,000 CPM and shaves off up to half an inch of material with every pass.
Each of the tables on either side of the cutterhead measure in at 33 inches, offering a ton to square longer boards.
The 54HH uses a helical cutterhead, which is a lot preferable to straight cutterheads.
The slight angle at which the knives jut out of the cutterhead allows it to produce a hand-plane-esque cut that leaves the edges of boards straighter with less snipe.
Pros
- Robust cast iron construction
- Accurate machine
- Quiet operation
- Positive fence tilt at 45° and 90°
Cons
- Fence could be flatter
Overall, the Powermatic 54HH is a highly powerful jointer that should help larger woodworking shops square their boards more accurately with every pass over the cutterhead.
Best Budget - PORTER-CABLE PC160JT
Key Specifications
- 1.4-HP Motor
- 12-22,000 CPM
- 30-inch Infeed + Outfeed Tables
- Built-in Cutterhead Lock
The PORTER-CABLE PC160JT is yet another inexpensive 6-inch jointer that would work beautifully in any garage or small-scale workshop.
It features a 1.4-HP motor that drives the dual-knife cutterhead at speeds of up to 11,000 RPM, delivering twice as many cuts every minute.
Each of the tables measure 15 inches long, which should be enough to handle most DIYers’ workpieces.
This machine also shaves a maximum of 1/8 of an inch of material with every pass.
To adjust the cutting depth, you need to loosen the steel blades from the cutterhead by loosening and re-tightening the jackscrews.
A knob adjustment system is easier to use, but this manual method of raising/lowering the blades works just fine.
Pros
- Decent table lengths
- Extra-fast cutter speed
- Generous 3-year warranty
- Super-beefy motor for its size
Cons
- Fence could be sturdier
For its cost, there’s hardly a DIYer that shouldn’t consider picking up this 6-inch jointer, though you’ll need to pay extra care to the fence’s position.
Delta 37-071
Key Specifications
- 12A Motor
- 20,000 CPM
- 28.5-inch Infeed + Outfeed Tables
- Built-in Dust/Chip Ejector
The Delta 37-071 is smaller than most 6-inch jointers though only by an inch or so. However, what it’s missing in infeed-outfeed table lengths, it more than makes up for with its super-beefy 12A motor.
With two steel knives fitted into the cutterhead, you can expect up to 20,000 CPM to remove 1/8 of material with each and every pass.
This 6-inch jointer is all about longevity. Made almost entirely out of cast iron, dropping this machine would break your workshop’s floor before its table dents.
There’s also a built-in ejector to remove dust and chip buildup quickly and efficiently. And if you thought a three-year warranty was generous, you’ll be happy that this one is protected for five!
Pros
- Robust, inside and out
- High-precision squaring
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Adjustable fence, 45° and 90° positive stops
Cons
- Replacement components could be easier to find
All in all, the Delta 37-071 would be the dream 6-inch jointer for any semi-professional woodworker who would invest a bit more on a longer-lasting tool.
Shop Fox W1829
Key Specifications
- 1.5-HP Motor
- 20,000 CPM
- 28.5-inch Infeed + Outfeed Tables
- Fine-Adjust Infeed Table Knob
The Shop Fox W1829 might not look any different from other 6-inch jointers, but inside of this beast is a hefty 1.5-HP motor that drives the dual-knife cutterhead to produce up to 20,000 CPM.
This machine is designed to cut up to 1/8 of an inch with every pass, but sadly, a missing screw bolt will force you to cut only at the max depth.
The 28.5-inch infeed and outfeed tables should provide enough support for square most if not all of your rough boards.
Its tables are made entirely out of cast iron that offer a sleeker surface to remove the right amount of material per pass. Plus, the fence can tilt up to 135° for more specific jointing jobs.
Pros
- Easy-to-adjust infeed table height
- High-speed and high-torque cutterhead
- Comes with 2.5-inch dust port
- User-friendly 6-inch jointer
Cons
- Could arrive with missing screw bolt
If your machine comes intact without missing components, you should enjoy perfect squaring with this high-powered system.
Cutech 40160H-CT
Key Specifications
- 10A Motor
- 22,000 CPM
- 30-inch Infeed + Outfeed Tables
- 12-Knife Spiral Cutterhead
The Cutech 40160H-CT is another 6 x 30-inch jointer that comes in a compact package.
Its 10A motor delivers a maximum speed of up to 11,000 RPM, while the 12-knife spiral cutterhead delivers 22,000 CPM to produce super-smooth, super-squared workpieces with ever pass.
Weighing just about 40 pounds after assembly, calling this machine portable is an understatement.
Assembly and disassembly require just 15 minutes to do, so taking this machine to the job site isn’t a challenge.
The guard also helps in pushing your workpiece so it sits flush against the beveling fence (up to 135°).
Even though this Cutech jointer is an entry-level 6-inch jointer, it can take quite a bit of time to get the tables sitting at the right height.
Pros
- Easy to transport
- Powerful motor
- User-friendly
- Accurate cuts, thanks to spiral cutterhead
Cons
- Could be easier to adjust the table height
All in all, this Cutech jointer is a user-friendly, low-maintenance machine that would make any hobbyist woodworker proud to own.
JET JJ-6CSDX
Key Specifications
- 1-HP Motor
- 18,000 CPM
- 56-inch Infeed + Outfeed Tables
- Handwheel Table Adjustment
The last 6-inch jointer on our list is the JET JJ-6CSDX.
Built into this machine is a sizable 1-HP motor that drives the two-knife cutterhead to produce up to 18,000 CPM, leaving squarer corners and flatter edges.
The 56-inch worktable length is a definite must-have if you plan on milling larger, rougher logs from your local lumber yard.
One of the JET’s shining features is its handwheel table adjustment system.
Instead of adjusting the steel blades by hand, you can simply turn the handwheel to get the infeed table sitting at the correct height.
This machine can cut up to half an inch deep, though some users found that the blades struggle to leave clean cuts after the 1/8-inch mark.
Pros
- Compact stand
- Great for milling rough lumber
- Durable cast-iron construction
- Easy-to-use table height adjustment system
Cons
- Instruction manual could be more concise
If you have experience operating a jointer, then transitioning into the JET JJ-6CSDX won’t be a challenge.
Best 6-inch Jointer Buying Guide
In this guide, we’ll briefly go over what a jointer is, why you should get a 6-inch jointer, and what specs and features to keep your eyes peeled for.
What is a jointer?
To put it simply, a jointer is a woodworking machine that’s used to square the corners of a board. You do this by passing the workpiece over the cutterhead twice: once to cut the board’s face, and a second time to cut the side.
A jointer is an essential power tool for any woodworker who wants to avoid using pre-pampered lumber from large retailers.
Consider it an investment; by milling logs you purchase from a lumber yard or that logs from a nearby forest, you won’t need to pay a premium fee for pre-squared and pre-thickened boards.
Benefits of a 6-inch jointer
While searching in your local hardware store or online, you’ll undoubtedly come across a wide range of jointers.
The most common sizes are 6 and 8 inches, but there are several more options that go beyond the 10-inch mark. So, why would you consider getting narrowest of the bunch?
Easy: these are the most inexpensive options available. Also, you might not need to deal with wider lumber, especially if you have a saw that can cut wider boards down to size.
However, if you want an 8-inch jointer, we have a guide on the best 8-inch jointer that might interest you.
Important Features + Specs
Motor Size
One of the most important considerations is know how powerful the motor is. You can do so by checking the motor’s rating, which is usually expressed in amps or HP.
A higher amp or HP figure denotes a more robust jointer that will cut through all types of wood.
For instance, if you have old oak boards laying around, look for a jointer that sports at least a 10A or 1-HP motor.
Cutting Speed
The cutting speed is determined by both the size of the motor and the number of knives on the cutterhead.
A more powerful motor can turn the cutterhead at higher speeds, and multiple knives will deliver quicker cuts every minute.
Variable speed is a nice-to-have feature, especially if you work both dense and softer wood types.
Infeed and Outfeed Table Lengths
The combined lengths of the infeed and outfeed tables will give you a good ideal of how long a board can pass over the cutterhead without producing snipe.
A longer worktable is preferable if you can swing it, but most DIYers can get by with around 30 inches of workspace.
Cutting Depth
This refers to how deep the cutterhead knives dig into the board with every pass. Most jointers can shave off up to 1/8 of an inch with every pass, but other beefier machines can do half an inch.
You’ll have to determine whether enhanced work productivity with a deeper-cutting jointer is worth the extra cost.
Adjustable Fence
The fence is the steel or cast-iron piece that sits perpendicularly to the worktable and cutterhead.
It helps angle your board perfectly as it passes over the knives to ensure a squarer cut. Some fences have positive tilt stops at 45° and 90°, while others can go as far as 135°.
FAQ’s
Snipe is a noticeably deeper cut on the head or tail of a workpiece. It’s usually caused by passing a board over a jointer or through a thicknesser. To avoid snipe with your jointer, make sure that you pass boards that are no longer than the combined lengths of the tool’s infeed and outfeed tables. Also, the guard should push the workpiece so it sits flush against the jointer’s fence at all times.
That’s entirely up to you, but the greatest benefit that a 6-inch jointer can offer is its compact size. They don’t take up very much floor or workbench space, which is a huge plus for hobbyist woodworkers. Plus, there’s really no reason to go beyond the 6 to 8-inch-wide mark, especially if you’re not a professional and need to mill your own lumber on a regular basis. That said, you can certainly go wider if the need arises.
Jointers and planers are incredibly different tools, even though they look like they serve the save purposes. Jointers are used to square the corners of a board, and planers will reduce the thickness of the board. Although you could theoretically shave thin layers off one of the board’s faces with a jointer, it won’t guarantee identical thickness from head to tail. However, we’d recommend a jointer first since squaring a board’s corners by hand is lot more difficult than making it an even thickness.
Yes, it is, even for hobbyist woodworkers. Jointers will square up a board’s edges while also by removing imperfections like cupping, twisting, warping, and the natural look of rough lumber. Doing so by hand is not out of the question, but it can be exceedingly difficult to do. You need both a keen eye and a steady hand to achieve the same results as you would bypassing the board once or twice over a jointer’s cutter head.
Summary
In this guide, we showed you our pick of the best 6-inch jointer—the CRAFTSMAN CMEW020.
We’ve also included several alternatives, some cheaper and some costlier, that you should spend some time looking through.
The guide we included will help you determine which 6-inch jointer model will suit your squaring needs in your workshop.
If you aren’t sure about anything in our guide, we’d be happy the lend a helping hand in the comments section.