Main Features

One of the first things that strikes you about the 37-071 is the way it’s built. Whereas many smaller jointers are made from aluminum, the Delta is fashioned from cast iron. Not only is it built to stay the distance, the molded body is also designed to dampen down the vibration that can menace you while planing.

Although the instructions could be a little clearer, assembly is straightforward so you’ll be up and running promptly.

Many 6-inch benchtop jointers have a single horsepower motor. The 37-071 is equipped with a 1.5HP powerplant that spins the cutterhead at an impressive 10,000RPM.

Weighing in at 76 pounds, the Delta is heavy enough to offer up the stability you need while light enough to move it around if required. As far as benchtop jointers go, the Delta punches above its weight.

The size of this 6-inch jointer reflects the widest timber you’ll be able to cut so make sure this is adequate for your needs before committing yourself. The depth of cut is 1/8-inch and this is achieved with a rapid rate of 20,000 cuts per minute. For a small jointer, the Delta is surprisingly efficient.

While spiral cutterheads are continuing to gain currency, at this price range it’s not surprising that the 37-071 has straight knives. This is by no means a deal-breaker but it will tend to mark more than a spiral variant which means you’ll need to devote a little more time to finishing. There’s a simple jackscrew arrangement so swapping out the knives is a breeze.

The fence supports your workpiece admirably and it’s pretty simple to adjust. There are 2 positive stops at 45 and 90 degrees. This gives you a winning combination of user-friendliness and the ability to join precisely and flexibly. On the downside, this fence does demand time to get square.

If you’re looking for a jointer with a sprawling table, the Delta will disappoint. It measures 6 ¼ inches by 28 ½ inches which means you’ll be somewhat limited in the scope of work you can undertake. Much like the fence, the table is machined very accurately meaning you can get going with precise planing straight out the box.

There’s a dust blower built in so at least some of the legwork is taken out of keeping your workshop free of fine particles. Although this will efficiently eject woodchips and stop the dust chutes from becoming clogged, you’ll need a shop vac as well to work in comfort and to keep your line of sight clear.

You wouldn’t expect anything much by the way of accessories with a jointer priced like this so the pair of push blocks is a nice bonus. Make sure you use them and keep your fingers well clear of the cutterhead at all times.

You’ll be able to process pretty much all types of wood with the 37-071, even more challenging hardwood. You can join 2 x 6 boards without duress. The Delta allows you to make pretty much anything from small boxes right through to furniture and it’s ideal for beginners and more experienced woodworkers alike.

We’ll outline the main advantages and drawbacks for you so you can see at a glimpse how this excellent benchtop jointer measures up…

As with all benchtop jointers, the Delta is pitched at home woodworkers rather than seasoned professionals. The price and size reflects this.

If you are just starting out on your woodworking journey and you fancy a very affordable benchtop jointer perfect for those smaller projects and more occasional use, the 37-071 is a smart choice. If, on the other hand, you know you’ll be working with larger pieces of lumber and more demanding applications, this is not the jointer for you.

That said, don’t write off the 37-071 as a lightweight. As far as benchtop jointers go, the Delta is a hard-hitter.

The straight knives make it slightly less effective than models with spiral cutterheads but the cast iron gives it an extra edge in terms of staying power and durability. Buying any lower-end power tool or machine always involves some degree of compromise and the Delta 37-071 is a capable all-rounder with many strengths at a price you’ll love.

Check one out today and enjoy flat boards tomorrow.

​Next up in our best benchtop jointer reviews is a keenly priced 6-incher from Cutech.

Although this planer is very inexpensive, don’t let the price tag fool you. You’ll enjoy a highly capable jointer that might not be supersized but is designed for both beginners and more experienced woodworkers alike. It’s not expensive but it certainly won’t let you down in terms of performance.

While Cutech might not be a household name, the company was launched specifically to sell spiral cutterhead planers and jointers alongside a wealth of spare parts. You’ll get great customer service as well so perhaps it’s time to give some new blood a chance.

Weighing just 40 pounds, the Cutech is not the bulkiest benchtop on the market. While this means you might lack a little of the stability found with bigger jointers, the advantage is that you can move it around if you need to and it doesn’t take up too much room either. Anyone with a smaller workshop will find this advantageous.

Although it comes in at a competitive price, you’ll be rewarded with a spiral cutterhead for maximum planing efficiency with a dozen 2-sided HSS inserts to help you flatten out your boards double-quick. Replacement inserts are readily available in packs of 10 at a reasonable cost. If you find that one of the inserts is nicked or worn, rotate it to unmask a fresh cutting edge. If it wears further, you can replace that single insert.

The motor maxes out at a highly respectable 11,000RPM but you’ll be able to get a high degree of accuracy rather than just raw, imprecise speed.

The table is above average size for a compact benchtop jointer. Although you won’t be able to work with colossal lengths of timber, you shouldn’t expect to with a planer this size. At 30 inches by 6 3/16 inches, you’ll get more than enough room for maneuver. It gives you a bit more latitude to work with longer boards. You can also fine-tune the table with ease for a nice degree of flexibility.

Depth of cut is limited to 1/8 inch which is the norm for a benchtop jointer.

The fence is 19 5/8 inches by 4 3/8 inches and you can tilt this from 90 degrees to 135 degrees. Some users complain that there’s a lack of rigidity and support from the fence while others commend the way you can tweak it with ease.

There are a couple of less positive things that rate a mention…

Although the overall finish is first-rate, watch out for machine marks on the edge you’re cutting.

If you try to use thicker pieces of wood – anything over 3 inches really – the motor has a tendency to labor and struggle.

While there is a 2 ½-inch dust port, you’d be well advised to get a separate shop vac as it’s slightly too small to be properly effective.

There’s a 2-year warranty with the Cutech and if you need to avail yourself of this coverage, their customer service department is responsive and helpful so it’s not just a paper exercise but your back is truly covered if anything goes wrong.

A snapshot now of where the Cutech stands and falls before we round out with our verdict on this cheap benchtop jointer…

​Unlike the other benchtop jointers we’ve reviewed today, the PORTER-CABLE boasts variable speed functionality.

The 10-amp motor kicks out just under 1 ½ HP and you’ll be able to adjust the speed according to the size and the hardness of the workpiece. Not all wood is created equal and this feature makes your life much easier while providing superior finishing results. You can ramp things up from 6000RPM at the lower end right through to 11,000RPM when conditions dictate.

Changing or adjusting the pair of high-speed steel knives and altering the fence is an exercise in simplicity. This is particularly important for novices who don’t want to be struggling when they could be planing away. There’s a cutterhead lock so you can make changes without compromising your safety.

The table measures up at 30 inches so you’ll get ample latitude to surface thicker boards without feeling cramped.

The center-mounted fence tends to polarize opinion slightly. It’s fashioned from aluminum which many purists sneer at. In our opinion, there are certain sacrifices you need to accept if you’re buying a budget machine and this is by no means a catastrophe just something to bear in mind. The more tiresome issue with the fence is the fact it needs re-squaring every time you adjust it. Due to the design, this is not exactly straightforward.

On the plus side with the fence, there are positive stops at 45 degrees and 90 degrees to simplify operation. Due to the way it’s mounted, your workpiece will be fully supported throughout the cut allowing for highly accurate edge jointing.

The 4-inch dust port on the PORTER-CABLE is a little larger than on many competing benchtop jointers, one of the many ways in which this admirable machine differentiates itself. Keeping your workshop clean and clear of potentially lethal flying debris is critical and every little extra helps.

You’ll get a 3-year limited warranty with this jointer showing that PORTER-CABLE stands behind its products even though they don’t cost the earth. This gives you an added feeling of security and reduces your reasons not to try this versatile and capable jointer.

We’ll showcase the pros and cons of this benchtop before finishing up these benchtop jointer reviews and letting you decide for yourself which would best serve your needs…

Considering the cut-throat price tag, the PORTER-CABLE is a superb little benchtop jointer that will allow you to surface even thicker boards without undue effort.

Although marketed as a jointer for amateurs and professionals alike, this is clearly not a machine built for prolonged and hardcore use in a commercial setting. It’s more accurate to say that advanced woodworkers will appreciate the flexibility of the variable speed motor while it’s user-friendly enough if you’re just starting out on the woodworking trail.

If you’re on the hunt for a bargain – and who isn’t? – the PORTER CABLE PC160JT is a strong contender for the best benchtop jointer in its class. Give it a shot and you’ll be very pleasantly surprised.