Customer Reviews

DELTA 37-190 6-Inch Deluxe Jointer with Stand

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I also thought that the jointer fence had too much side-to-side play after tightening the clamp onto the formed plate steel bracket. After investigating a bit I realized that is not the purpose of the bracket - I'm not sure what its purpose is, unless to keep you from completely removing the fence from the joiner. In any case, I removed mine (its held on with one socket head cap screw). The REAL fence clamping action is via the heavy steel split collar surrounding the 1" hex steel fence mounting rod. Heavily torque down on the fence clamp to compress the split collar around the hex rod and your fence will securely held. The original sheet steel bracket just deceived you into thinking your fence was clamped in.

Knife setup continues to be an onerous task. Here is what I have found works best:

1. Set the outfeed table to 0.060" above the cutterhead cylinder.

2. Set the knives as best you can per the jointer instructions, trying to achieve equal elevation of the three knives.

3. Lower the outfeed table about 1/8".

4. Obtain a piece of wood about 1x6x18 with a straight edge (table saw rip OK).

5. Joint the wood edge about 9" length applying pressure on the INFEED TABLE ONLY, the stop the jointing (and stop the jointer). There will be about a 1/8" gap between the wood and the outfeed table.

6. While pressing the wood firmly to the infeed table, raise the outfeed table to zero clearance between it and the wood.

7. The jointer should now cut dead straight AND with no tendency to taper the cut.

I compared the Delta and Jet jointers before deciding on Delta due to it's reputation. This jointer is not bad, but it could use some improvements in comparison to Jet tools. A TEFC Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled Motor would be better to prevent motor overheating. The table height adjustment should be done by a rotary dial, as in the JET, instead of a lever. The rotary dial provides easier and more accurate adjustments. The fence rail brackets should be reengineered to provide more accuracy, ease of adjustment, and rigidity. Currently there seems to be a little too much side to side flexibility in the fence. This is due to a single pivot point supported only by a formed plate steel bracket. Two such brackets, or even better, tubular steel brackets in two locations would firm up the fence significantly. Personally, I believe that a jointer should be one solid hunk of steel. There should be no flex to any of the moving elements. A slight variance will only spell disaster when trying to join long boards. The JET does have a slightly longer table, and a better fence support system. Ease of setup was okay. It took about 1.5 hours. Ease of the Manual is good. Nothing fancy, but a jointer isn't really a tool that requires fancy instructions.

I have not yet had the experience of blade changing.

Before purchasing a jointer, I would recommend: Figure out what are you planning on joining. Long or short work. The longer the jointer bench the more accurate the work should be. Also, you should see a display, working or not, and make adjustments to table height, cutting depth and width then push a board along the fence. Use a small square to check the infeed and outfeed tables along the length of the bench. You might find that many jointers are can be square over the cutting area, but the end of the table has an 1/8" variance.

Ease of blade changing is important only if your jointer is always in use or if you lack common sense when jointing. Jointer knives should last you for some time. Don't joint anything with glues or other foreign matter. If an area becomes dull, move the fence to reveal more or less of the knife.

After finding out more on JET tools, I would say I would look seriously at their selection. They seem to offer more features and improvements at the same or less price.

I have now purchased two 37-190 Jointers both mail-order. My Dad, had a Jet Jointer which I used extensively until he gave it to my brother, and I had to buy my own. I recently bought Dad a new 37-190, so I could use mine. The Delta machine is less expensive than the Jet and offers a superior fence system. From the time both Delta jointers came out of the box (I helped him set his up) they were square, knifes adjusted properly at the factory, and the table and fences were straight. My Dad has been building cabinets for his new house and says the Delta fence is superior to the Jet in ease of adjustment and lack of movement. The Jet reviews that talk about the problems with Delta Jointers must be Jet Factory Reps. I have never had a problem with my 37-190, and I have owned mine for 6 years now. The fence is the best part, it is far superior to any other 6" jointer fence for the major brands on the market, that's why I bought the Delta. The fence is extremely stable and never moves unless moved, and is very easy to adjust for different angels. I have several Delta machines and have never had a problem with any of them. I would highly recommend the 37-190 to anyone looking for an excellent value with superior quality.

Knuckle knocking nobs. Also changing blades is difficult. Had to cut most of the bolts to get the blades out. Customer service said this was common !

I've had my 37-190 for over a year now. It's been running fine, once I adjusted the blades. The blades came out of alignment from the factory. In order to adjust the blades though, you may need to cut off the set screws and replace them. This is recommended solution from customer service as this problem is quite common. Apparently they torque the set screws too tight, and I broke 3 wrenches and 1 drill bit trying to loosen those.

Other than that, the fence is not quite as sturdy as I would like, and the depth setting lever is very, very hard to adjust in small increments. The Jet hand-wheel would be much of an improvement.

I can hardly recommend this unit, because of the problems mentioned above, and since the Jet is not much more $$.

I agree with all the observations, but not the conclusions...1) side to side movement in the fence means nothing, the only important thing is that the fence remain perpendicular to the blades. If it stays square, a little wobble along the length will not affect the cut. 2) Yes, hand wheels would be a little easier to adjust but to date, i have have had no problem making fine adjustments with the lever. You might have to try once or twice, but it works fine. 3) And the blade adjustments?? Please. Show me a jointer where the blade adjustments are easy.....anyone?? Didn't think so. You're working in tolerances of a few thousandths. How easy did you think it was going to be. Overall.....great machine, great price. Long live Delta.

I have had my Delta 37-190 jointer for only a short while, but it has turned out to be a wonderful item. A real life saver in cabinetry.

Yes, the knives on my unit were not in spec when out of the box, but it is an easy thing to fix if you take the time to do it right. You should realign the knives anyway when new out of the box.

The fence is a sturdy piece. You have to wrench the handle down good to get solid lock up. If you don't, it wants to wobble. If it wobbles, turn the handle a bit more until it stops.

Out of the box the fence was not in zero, but a quick fix solved that. My fence has held zero since I set it up with the square. Can do 45's then swap to 90's without it ever going out of zero.

This is a tool that I would recommend. You have to get to know it to make it work properly, once you do, it is a tool you can't be without.

I have been using the 37-190 Deluxe 6" Jointer in my cabinet shop for the past 18 months. For the price, it is an excellent bargain and is certainly a capable piece of equipment. There are other Jointers on the market (like the JET) that may have more features and a prettier paint job, but a lot can be said for simplicity. Changing blades is no more fun than any other jointer, and to date, I have had no problems in the process. In fact, the only problem that I have had is moving it around my shop. If you are going to buy one, get the mobile base!

I bought this model about 4 months ago and have been pretty satisfied with its performance. It has been a good machine for the money but I wish I would have spent a little more and gotten the Jet...I have also had an annoying problem with the fence. I slid it out to reveal only about 2 inches of the blade as I only needed to joint 1X stock. When I tried to slide the fence back to expose more of the blade, I had a difficult time getting the fence to slide smoothly. It didn't help that when the fence is not tightened down, it wobbles side to side more than I'd like it to.

To date, I havent had a need to change blades.

This machine handles it's work load very well. It's only draw back is a poor dust collection system. The enclosed stand makes this machine rate a 5.