DELTA JT160 Shopmaster 10 Amp 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer

by DELTA

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The DELTA JT160 Shopmaster 10 Amp 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer uses a variable speed motor and two-knife cutterhead configuration with jack-screw knife leveling arrangement for easy replacement and adjustments. The 30 x 6-3/16 inch table provides support for surfacing stock up to six inches wide, including soft woods, hard woods, and plastics. The speedy 10 Amp motor spins at 6,000-11,000 RPM, which makes the dual-cutter turn at 12,000-22,000 CPM. The center-mounted fence provides ample support throughout the cut for precise edge jointing, and it tilts out at 45 degrees for added versatility.

From the Manufacturer

DELTA JT160 Shopmaster 10 Amp 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 33 x 13 x 11.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 41.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00006K00R
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: JT160
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,973 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #1 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Jointers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

147 of 152 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Well, it almost worked/needed user made fixes, November 9, 2003

By 

Jeff Wells (South Bay, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DELTA JT160 Shopmaster 10 Amp 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer (Tools & Home Improvement)

Please note in my update below that I have raise my rating to 3 stars.
----

This isn't so much a tool as it is a way to spend an afternoon getting frustrated. I really wanted it to work out as it's the perfect size for my tiny shop, alas it was not to be.

On the plus side, it seems to have plenty of power for a small unit. It also seems to face-joint okay, which is nice.

And then there is the vertical fence, what a piece of junk! Between having a rather high coefficient of friction, even when waxed, being slightly warped from one end to the other and its greatest downfall, the pathetic mounting system, I have yet to get one square edge.
The plastic-headed bolt that attempts to tighten the fence stripped out within a few days. Even when I actually got it tight, I could still alter the angle of the fence slightly without too much pressure pushing against the base of it.

The results I've had are not worth $200. Maybe $100 as a face jointer. I can still combine this with my router table to get the job done, but I'll be in the market for a real jointer as soon as I can make the space!

Save your money and get a better unit. Delta has a full sized one for $300 and it has to be better than this!

UPDATE to my review:
I have fixed this unit's two major shortcomings. First I replaced the useless swiveling fence mount with a solid and supportive piece of MDF. Now it holds 90 degrees. I don't miss the ability to bevel the fence, but if I had to, I could stick the factory mount back on.
Second, I covered the face of the fence with low friction tape. Now wood can smoothly slide through without binding.
In it's current state, I'd probably give it 4 stars as it works as it should, but because I had to do those things myself, I'll go with 3.

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not the best, but at $200 who expects it to be?, March 6, 2006

By 

Michael T. Shue - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DELTA JT160 Shopmaster 10 Amp 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer (Tools & Home Improvement)

Okay, I purchased this tool from somewhere else and was looking for the DC connector when I read the reviews here. My feeling after reading the ones on the main page of the tool is that this must be a different jointer, so I checked, nope same one. Which leaves one other conclusion, the people who have reviewed it so poorly must not be using correct technique when they use the machine.

I have had this tool for about 3 years and have had no problems. I regularly edge joint boards up to 6 foot in length with no problem. It has plenty of power to joint 4 inch thick padauk, and the fence while alittle quirksome, holds true to whatever angle I set it.

Like I said, the only thing I can come up with is that the reviewers either don't actually own the machine, are applying too much preasure at the top of the fence (pressure should be applied at the middle to bottom of any fence)and must be allowing the board to tip as they joint (once you have about a foot of board on the outfeed side, all downward pressure should be on that table).

Again, not the best tool. Not expected to be. Will I eventually upgrade? yeah, but not a priority in my shop. It works for me.

46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't bother, April 5, 2004

By 

Andrew Violette "A Customer" (Hoffman Estates, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: DELTA JT160 Shopmaster 10 Amp 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer (Tools & Home Improvement)

Spend the extra money and by a good (free-standing) Jointer (You're going to eventually, once you realize how useless this product is on anything but the smallest scale project). I built a couple of small end tables with this jointer, but when I went to put a straight edge on some longer lumber I am using for a desktop, I was not able to effectively do it (I eventually rigged-up my router table to do it). It is mainly 'cause the outfeed table is so short.

Also, there is no way to effectively hook up a dust collection device to this. I ended up using a magnetic dust chute, but it's still not very effective.