I just got mine today before watching this and realized I put the fence on upside down. I agree, I wish the fence was fixed at both ends instead of just the center.
Thanks for the review. I have one of these coming next week. Biggest gripe I've heard/read is setting the fence - was there a lot more tweaking of the set screws to get it squared up than in the video?
No setting the fence was so easy I didnt really think to talk much about it. You just loosen the fence, do a 1/8th turn on a set screw, tighten down and repeat. Cant remember how long it took specifically but I had the fence on and adjusted in 30 minutes.
@@SwapnilBhartiya It has not been an issue for me but you dont put a lot of pressure against the fence. I use it a few times a week and have not had to adjust the fence yet.
Hi Carolina Workshop. After more than a year with this jointer, is it still holding up. Could you share an update. Thanks. Thinking of buying one but would love some updated info ater the use and experience you have had with it. Pros and Cons. Thanks from Colombia
I think you will find the rikon and wahuda 8 inch are basically the same jointer for more money. For the size and price it cant be beat but I make a lot of large pieces and a longer bed would be ideal but thats a major price jump.
@@carolinaworkshop7091 The Wahuda is more expensive but the manufacturer clearly states that the infeed and outfeed tables are cast iron, and the inserts are four sided carbide...with Wen I cannot find any manufacture documentation that states the table composition, some commenters say cast iron some aluminum. As far as the inserts go the ones that come with the Wen are two sided HSS 14.2mmX14.2mm (that is all they sell for around $40 for a set of 10, the unit takes 16 if I recall correctly) and I cannot get feedback from anyone who has installed carbide 14mmX14mm (standard size cannot find any 14.2mmX14.2mm carbide inserts anywhere) four sided inserts in their Wen unit. Has anyone that owns one used four sided inserts yet? Thanks for the good review Adam.
The fence has a strange mechanism holding it on so to me it seems difficult to upgrade. You dont really have to put a lot of pressure against it so I think its fine as is. Just keep jointer top lubed up and it shouldn't be a problem. Its stayed square for me so far.
I use it all the time and it works great. I have to watch grain direction while running poplar through it. I dont bother doing boards longer than maybe 3 or 4 foot on this anymore as the tables just not long enough. Its a great 400 dollar jointer and I wont upgrade to anything less than 2k.
I got a question, im have not used a planer or jointer yet but ordered a planer (Wen 13in) and am considering this jointer as well- but the thought a jointer was for the sides of the lumber but see u milled the face as well so what's the diff between milling the face on a jointer vs planer? and why can't u just do all four sides on a jointer as long as its 8 inch or less????
You get one side of a board flat with a jointer. To get the other side flat and parallel with the side you just flattened on the jointer you need a planer. A planer flattens the side of a board facing the cutters in relation to the other side of the board. If you cant imagine this its hard to explain. Try to flatten a board with your planer and you will see the board is smooth but not flat. Any curve will remain even though its smooth.
Technically, you don’t need a planer. You can flatten all sides of the board if your only going to use that one board. The purpose of a jointer is to make a perfect 90 degree as your starting point. The board can then be put through a planer to bring multiple pieces to one uniform thickness. Then the ends of the boards will be perfect to glue up, making one solid piece out of multiple boards. Once you get a jointer you will realize you need a planer, and if you get the planer first, you will realize you need a jointer lmao
The jointer isn't going to get boards a consistent thickenss. It makes one side flat and depending on how the board is you might get one side much thicker than the other.
I was very interested in this jointer but after being burned on another WEN product that they would not warrant because "I did not Purchase it from an authorized dealer" so I will not buy another WEN product. I will probably spend more and get the JET brand.
A lot of lower end tools are all the same. The rikon is clearly the same jointer though i suspect some better materials on handles and screws and such.
Its fine. Good even. Its way too small though. I have jointed large boards on this but you cant really get anything longer than the bed length perfect. I will be upgrading as soon as a good deal comes around.
"Luckily, I'm a team." Some people see problems, others only see solutions. Thanks for the video!
When your able to collaborate within the team is when solutions presents itself.
That second run looks like a pristine finish! I mean u can see the light reflect off board face and looked very smooth.
Ive had good results with the jointer. No regrets on the purchase.
Thanks for your overview. I've been looking into this particular model for a while and this made the decision to buy a lot easier.
I just got mine today before watching this and realized I put the fence on upside down. I agree, I wish the fence was fixed at both ends instead of just the center.
I love mine. Have had it for 6 months
just ordered one today with lowes first purchase of 20% off a lowes card plus cash and gift cards came to 178 bucks
Thanks for the review. I have one of these coming next week. Biggest gripe I've heard/read is setting the fence - was there a lot more tweaking of the set screws to get it squared up than in the video?
No setting the fence was so easy I didnt really think to talk much about it. You just loosen the fence, do a 1/8th turn on a set screw, tighten down and repeat.
Cant remember how long it took specifically but I had the fence on and adjusted in 30 minutes.
@@carolinaworkshop7091 How flimsy is the fence?
@@SwapnilBhartiya It has not been an issue for me but you dont put a lot of pressure against the fence. I use it a few times a week and have not had to adjust the fence yet.
@@carolinaworkshop7091 thanks. Got mine yesterday, after watching your video.
Hi Carolina Workshop. After more than a year with this jointer, is it still holding up. Could you share an update. Thanks. Thinking of buying one but would love some updated info ater the use and experience you have had with it. Pros and Cons. Thanks from Colombia
I still like it. I have upgraded nearly every major tool in my shop and I have no plan on upgrading this unless a good deal comes up.
@@carolinaworkshop7091 great to hear. thanks for getting back. take care.
Any update to how this jointer is holding up? Thanks for the video!
Its perfect. I use it all the time and have not had to adjust the fence or change the blades yet.
@@carolinaworkshop7091 Thank you!!
you look and sound exactly like the riffs bears and gear youtuber, you are his doppelganger
I disagree but it appears we are from the same area and around the same age.
Thanks. I’m thinking about this model.
I think you will find the rikon and wahuda 8 inch are basically the same jointer for more money. For the size and price it cant be beat but I make a lot of large pieces and a longer bed would be ideal but thats a major price jump.
@@carolinaworkshop7091 The Wahuda is more expensive but the manufacturer clearly states that the infeed and outfeed tables are cast iron, and the inserts are four sided carbide...with Wen I cannot find any manufacture documentation that states the table composition, some commenters say cast iron some aluminum. As far as the inserts go the ones that come with the Wen are two sided HSS 14.2mmX14.2mm (that is all they sell for around $40 for a set of 10, the unit takes 16 if I recall correctly) and I cannot get feedback from anyone who has installed carbide 14mmX14mm (standard size cannot find any 14.2mmX14.2mm carbide inserts anywhere) four sided inserts in their Wen unit. Has anyone that owns one used four sided inserts yet? Thanks for the good review Adam.
Thanks.
nice vid and even nicer jumpsuit!
Thanks! I like to stay clean.
Looks like a good jointer.
Ive been using it a lot and its worked well for me.
Spiral head cutters typically provide a better finish than the typical 2 straight blade heads. Not as good as a helical cutter head.
True but a helical cutter head will put a real big hole in your pocket and cost as much as the entire machine.
I'm.looking at getting one myself but I can already tell that fence is flimsy.
How can you upgrade/beef up the fence?
The fence has a strange mechanism holding it on so to me it seems difficult to upgrade. You dont really have to put a lot of pressure against it so I think its fine as is. Just keep jointer top lubed up and it shouldn't be a problem. Its stayed square for me so far.
Got any further thoughts half a year later? I’d love to hear if you have any tips or practices that have helped.
I use it all the time and it works great. I have to watch grain direction while running poplar through it. I dont bother doing boards longer than maybe 3 or 4 foot on this anymore as the tables just not long enough.
Its a great 400 dollar jointer and I wont upgrade to anything less than 2k.
What specifically do you look for in terms of grain direction? I have one of these jointers arriving today, thanks for the video!
does your jointer have swirl marks on the beds,,i bought the same one and mine has swirl marks all over both beds
Yes, those are milling marks.
After a year, what are your thoughts on the jointer now? Still positive?
It's great. I put a lot of boards through it and upgraded to a much larger jointer about 6 months ago. No issues.
@@carolinaworkshop7091 What did you upgrade to if I may ask?
Ty.
@@jjadaddy I found an 8 inch wide 76 inch long older shop fox jointer on facebook marketplace.
I got a question, im have not used a planer or jointer yet but ordered a planer (Wen 13in) and am considering this jointer as well- but the thought a jointer was for the sides of the lumber but see u milled the face as well so what's the diff between milling the face on a jointer vs planer? and why can't u just do all four sides on a jointer as long as its 8 inch or less????
You get one side of a board flat with a jointer. To get the other side flat and parallel with the side you just flattened on the jointer you need a planer. A planer flattens the side of a board facing the cutters in relation to the other side of the board.
If you cant imagine this its hard to explain. Try to flatten a board with your planer and you will see the board is smooth but not flat. Any curve will remain even though its smooth.
@@carolinaworkshop7091 got it! Thank u
Technically, you don’t need a planer. You can flatten all sides of the board if your only going to use that one board. The purpose of a jointer is to make a perfect 90 degree as your starting point. The board can then be put through a planer to bring multiple pieces to one uniform thickness. Then the ends of the boards will be perfect to glue up, making one solid piece out of multiple boards. Once you get a jointer you will realize you need a planer, and if you get the planer first, you will realize you need a jointer lmao
Not sure what is going on with my jointer but I think my table is off boards are not same thickness from one side to the other
The jointer isn't going to get boards a consistent thickenss. It makes one side flat and depending on how the board is you might get one side much thicker than the other.
Can you replace the cutters with a helical replacement part?
Not that I am aware of
I was very interested in this jointer but after being burned on another WEN product that they would not warrant because "I did not Purchase it from an authorized dealer" so I will not buy another WEN product. I will probably spend more and get the JET brand.
Its fine for small boards.
I upgraded to an 8 inch shop fox. I would recommend anything long and heavy. Whatevers cheap on Facebook marketplace.
My only complaint with this jointer is you can't lock the fence at 90 degrees.
You mean there's no positive stop at 90?
@@carolinaworkshop7091 exaclty.
Can this make a 45 degree joint?
nope. it will just make things flat
This looks very similar to the 8" Rikon
A lot of lower end tools are all the same. The rikon is clearly the same jointer though i suspect some better materials on handles and screws and such.
Oh you’ll be leaving those extensions out.
Year later how do you feel about it?
Its fine. Good even. Its way too small though. I have jointed large boards on this but you cant really get anything longer than the bed length perfect. I will be upgrading as soon as a good deal comes around.