Again I come to the well of knowledge asking for advice……
I’m considering buying a 12″ single phase jointer – I’m sick and tired of getting surfaced lumber from the mills around here that isn’t “flat”. It’s smooth, but not flat. Ever try to build a cabinet door with a piece of mahogany that looks like a arch when laid flat?
So I wanted the Powermatic, but it’s out of production until sometime in May. I really wanted an old Oliver, but those that have them don’t want to part with them and I’m not sure I could get a Byrd Helical head for some models anyway.
I’ve been offered a Northtech ($4800) from a machine house here in Dallas, but I know nothing about this brand of tools.
Anyone have any experience with Northtech?
Thanks,
Ed Williams
Replies
The market around here is awash with good used machinery. If there is craigslist in your area I would take a look. Haven't heard of Northtech.... any chance it's actually Northfield?
If you mean Northfield, they make some seriously heavy duty equipment. Not sure if they're still in business, but their old machinery is built to last forever. Never heard of Northtech.
~ Ted W ~
Tool Auctions - MyToolbox.net
See my work - TedsCarpentry.com
No, it's Northtech - here's the link.
I checked craigslist - I found a 16" 3ph with a 4 knife setup.
If I'm going to invest a bag of money, I really want the helical cutter head.
Anybody else know about this company?Ed.http://www.ejwmusic.com
We've got a 12" Northfield w/ a 3hp 3ph motor. Picked it up for $2000 back when that was a lot of money. We start it up with a $75 10hp 3ph and a washing machine windup motor... I don't know anything about Northtech, and feel even less informed after a trip to their website... but I do know that if you want many flat 3/4" boards, you'd better start off with 2x stuff!http://www.tvwsolar.com
I went down to the lobby
To make a small call out.
A pretty dancing girl was there,
And she began to shout,
"Go on back to see the gypsy.
He can move you from the rear,
Drive you from your fear,
Bring you through the mirror.
He did it in Las Vegas,
And he can do it here."
I went to the Northfield site........
!2" single phase with 4 knives = $15,000.00
Man, that's way too rich for me. I'll bet that's one heck of a machine.
Ed.
http://www.ejwmusic.com
It wouldn't be that hard to find an Oliver. They are still making a number of models.
Fwiw Oliver stopped making machines in the US almost a decade ago- Chiu Ting (Geetech) in Taiwan bought the rights to the Oliver name.
"It is hardly too strong to say that there are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters." -- Noah Webster
Ours is a 3 knife, nice, but not top of their line. We got it used from a furniture school, who got it used from a pattern maker... don't know where it started.But bet you could find a nice, older, used Oliver, Crescent, or Northfield.I've never used helical cutters, but they look like the ticket, especially for mesquite<G> I've seen ads in FWW for co.s that make replacement heads. Ours has a direct drive motor, so you'd want to think about logistics... but, then that's probably why you're looking at the Northtech<G>http://www.tvwsolar.com
I went down to the lobby
To make a small call out.
A pretty dancing girl was there,
And she began to shout,
"Go on back to see the gypsy.
He can move you from the rear,
Drive you from your fear,
Bring you through the mirror.
He did it in Las Vegas,
And he can do it here."
You ever try this technique for jointing rough boards with your Festool?http://www.woodshopdemos.com/fes-53.htmSeems like that would be a whole lot cheaper than a dedicated jointer, if it works as advertised.'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
View Image
Pretty neat... have to try it. Did you get the track saw? I don't remember if I told you, the dust collection is excellent.Uh-oh time for the 2nd half... go Heels!http://www.tvwsolar.com
I went down to the lobby
To make a small call out.
A pretty dancing girl was there,
And she began to shout,
"Go on back to see the gypsy.
He can move you from the rear,
Drive you from your fear,
Bring you through the mirror.
He did it in Las Vegas,
And he can do it here."
I've got a pos Grizzly cabinet saw rusting in a shed... just say no to Griz.http://www.tvwsolar.com
I went down to the lobby
To make a small call out.
A pretty dancing girl was there,
And she began to shout,
"Go on back to see the gypsy.
He can move you from the rear,
Drive you from your fear,
Bring you through the mirror.
He did it in Las Vegas,
And he can do it here."
Yep. Got it and just about to put it to use. I'll hook it to my vac and report back.Yeah, I thought that was a pretty slick idea. Lets you joint some long boards without worrying about outfeed tables and the like.Heels looking good. They going to win it all?'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
View Image
If they don't, Mrs' 'Snort is gonna be a bear to live with<G>http://www.tvwsolar.com
I went down to the lobby
To make a small call out.
A pretty dancing girl was there,
And she began to shout,
"Go on back to see the gypsy.
He can move you from the rear,
Drive you from your fear,
Bring you through the mirror.
He did it in Las Vegas,
And he can do it here."
I'd be warry. Parts of their website is still under construction, never heard of them before, and doesn't appear anyone here has either.
Did you check out their "Specials" box in the bottom of the left column?
"This is placement for new content. This is placement for content. This is placement for content. This is placement for content.This is placement for new content...,"
That's funny! =)
Also, their "Trade Shows" section is blank, except for "Page under construction".
I know you can't tell a book by it's cover, but the website seems to be home-made by a relatively amature web designer. I'd think a company selling that kind of machinery would step up to the plate and hire a professional. And I'd be afraid the same skimping on details and cutting corners would go into their machinery. ~ Ted W ~
Tool Auctions - MyToolbox.netSee my work - TedsCarpentry.com
I looked at photos of the jointer and the table saw. These things simply reek of import clones of powermatic, delta, etc. Nothing there that excites me.I've got a Grizzly 12 inch. The something something 609 I think. Its an OK machine, does what it's supposed to do. I'm not in love with it, but what's to love? It is a heave piece of iron, no vibration, plenty of power. I don't have the helical cutter. Couldn't afford it when I got the machine. I'll get the Byrd someday. Or I'll sell it when I move and get something else. Yet to be decided. I don't particularly like the fence on my Griz.
Ed,
Maybe consider this?
http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2009/Main/43
I realize it's not "old iron" but these things are good! I have a 15" planer with Grizzly's indexible cutter head. Also have a Byrd cutter on an 8" Grizzly jointer.
Both cutter heads are excellent! The Byrd cutter head is a bit more expensive and replacement inserts are about twice the cost.
Looking at a freshly planed board you can't tell the difference!
Just a thought, Bill
Ed (GACC!!) try here:http://www.exfactory.com/equipment.aspx?catId=JT&pos=660
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"After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion" -Neil deGrasse Tyson
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If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
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according to statistical analysis, "for some time now, bears apparently have been going to the bathroom in the woods."
Thanks Mr.T,
Those are some fine old machines.
I'll check the Byrd site and see if any of those models accept the helicial head.
Ed.
http://www.ejwmusic.com
Thanks Bill,
There's a guy around Dallas who will come to your shop and fix your machines - I used him once to repair a 15" Powermatic planer. He really knows his stuff.
He warned me NOT to buy the Grizzly because they often break down and parts are difficult to get.
But for the price - man, that's just what I'm looking for.
I'll have to think on this one.........
Ed.
http://www.ejwmusic.com
"He warned me NOT to buy the Grizzly because they often break down and parts are difficult to get."
Jointers are pretty basic pieces of equipment - not much to break. Most important is a flat table. I've got the Grizzly 8" 4-blade and have been very happy with it (including the flat table!). One reason I bought it was the great reviews here and at Knots, where some people have them in commercial shops and run them all day every day.
yeah, I have Grizzly G0555 and their performance still high and effective. I realized that when its working longer very smooth .
I taken reviews and started work with it.
https://sawingexperts.com/grizzly-g0555-review/
One other alternative may be one of them "eyetalian" machines. Minimax still lists a recon version of their F-1 jointer for $5595 ($5995 new). You'll have add shipping and it's three phase but it's 16" and has a Tersa head (easy knife changes). Minimax used to be in Austin but moved back to GA. Bought a small bandsaw from 'em about four years ago ........... they were good to deal with. http://www.minimax-usa.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_bs.tpl&product_id=59&category_id=14&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=35 Another possibility might be Invicta http://www.invicta-usa.com/jointers2.html - about $4600 will get you a 12" single phase with a helical head. Made in Brazil ....... Invicta used to build the DJ 20 for Delta and still builds the RT-40 saw for them.
"It is hardly too strong to say that there are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters." -- Noah Webster
Edited 3/29/2009 6:18 pm ET by jc21
Edited 3/29/2009 7:20 pm ET by jc21
You may want to check out the Machinery Exchange on Woodweb.com. You can search by state or by machine type, etc. Pretty handy when you're looking for something.