Cutech Jointer Under Review [All You Need To Know]

Whether you are a beginner in the world of woodworking or a seasoned expert, having a jointer is a must in your arsenal of tools.

This review highlights the Cutech jointers specifically, a brand that offers quality for a wallet-friendly value. You’ll find where it performs well and areas that it may be lacking in.

Cutech Jointer Review

Why Invest In A Jointer?

For those who may not be aware of what it does, the jointer is a tool used to create even surfaces on the faces of separate planks that are to be joined. Essentially, it ensures the joint between two planks is seamless when joined together.

Types Of Jointers

Closed stand jointers are self-explanatory in their name itself. They are available in 6, 8, 12, or 16-inch sizes, with an enclosure around the base to protect the motor from sawdust and other elements. As a result, these types of jointers are heavier with an attached base.

Alternatively, the open stand variant is much lighter without the enclosure attached. Where it gains in lighter weight, it sacrifices in the protection of the motor.

Tabletop jointers are smaller in their build but are still able to handle thicker wood. They fit on top of a worktable and, as such, are ideal for smaller working spaces—a powerful and small alternative to the larger closed and open stand jointers.

Similar to the tabletop is the final type of jointer, the benchtop jointer.

As is evident from its name, the benchtop jointer is smaller in size, being able to fit on top of a workbench. They usually come in 6-inch lengths; however, there are 8-inch versions of the same available. Similar to the closed stand jointer, the benchtop jointer is also enclosed.

The Cutech jointer falls under this type of jointer. In fact, benchtop jointers are one of the specialties of the Cutech brand.

Important Factors For Choosing A Jointer

Workshop Setup

If space is not an issue for you, then you do not have to worry too much about this factor.

However, if you are limited in the space available, having a smaller work area for your tools can have you breaking down tools that are not in use. You should consider a jointer that is easy to break down and set up again if this applies to you.

Additionally, a more general concern would be the actual size of the tool. If the workspace is a constraint, then the smaller benchtop jointer would be an ideal choice.

Power

Before deciding on the model you want, you should have an idea of what kind of work you’ll be putting the jointer through. Some wood types are more demanding than others and need more force to cut through and shape them.

Ensuring that the jointer will handle the strain of these tasks beforehand will minimize the chances of it breaking down on you in the middle of a project. If you are working with harder woods, having a jointer with a sufficient power supply to handle the strain makes work easier.

That said, the standard horsepower for a jointer is one horsepower, which is enough to enable the blade to cut through most wood without considerable difficulty.

Maintenance

Every woodworker knows that half the job of woodworking is the cleanup process after work. Making sure you regularly clean your tools will keep them working smoothly and increase their lifespan drastically.

Some jointer models come with included dust bags to collect the sawdust. Others require you to take it apart partially in order to vacuum the dust out between parts.

Another factor to consider is the availability of replacement parts in case any of them should break down. Future-proofing tools will save you from the hassle of replacing an entire machine instead of just a specific part.

Having spare parts readily available, as well as any add-ons you may want in the future, is always a good idea for the long run.

Tool Specifications

Different models of jointers may have slight variations; in the case of jointers, the weight and blade quality.

Weight is an essential factor, especially for benchtop jointers, as having lighter ones can make working with them difficult. On the other hand, heavier jointers are more stable and secure, with little to no risk of moving around while you’re working.

Now, how well the blades of a jointer function varies between brands. The efficiency of the actual blade cutting through the wood and how deeply it goes can make or break the decision to go with one model over another.

Replacing blades in the jointer is an inevitable occurrence with use. Finding out how easy it is to purchase replacements and rotate the broken ones with a fresh set is another good step to take for future-proofing.

Cost And Warranty

Woodworking is by no means an easy activity to get into. From the cost of materials to tools, as well as the time and energy it demands to hone the skills, it can be an expensive affair.

When purchasing any woodworking tool, it is considered an investment. The high prices of the tools are justified by the safety features and build quality included. Additionally, the craft’s resulting quality depends on the quality of the machine’s components itself.

Going for the cheapest option will not be able to provide the results you want. Moreover, the quality of the jointer itself will not be the best in terms of material or durability. Spending just that extra bit of money will ensure that it lasts for a long time while providing consistently clean results.

Furthermore, having safety features built into your tools is always a smart choice. Rather than pay dearly, it is better to spend that extra bit of money to ensure your safety. After all, who knows what could happen while working on a project!

With the expensive price tag of jointers, you should take every precaution to ensure the quality of the machine is maintained. Buying from a respected brand is one way to go about this. Another could be looking for a jointer with a one to five-year warranty.

Having a warranty to fall back on will help in the event the jointer has a malfunction or breaks down.

Cutting Depth

Being able to control how deeply the blades are cut will determine how finely adjustments are made and how many passes are needed to shape the wood. The standard cutting depth for bench jointers is ½” or ¾.” The benchtop jointer standard is ⅛”.

Depending on how deep this cut is, the number of passes required to chip away at the material to attain the shape you want will increase. For example, finer adjustments will benefit from using the smaller, more precise cutting depths. Conversely, broader adjustments will be made more efficiently using the larger depths.

The cutting depth is a factor to consider when envisioning what you want to use the jointer for, be it finer depths or broad and deeper cutting depths.

Table

Jointers need tables to rest the wood to smoothen the edges. The width of this table or “bed” is usually related to the price of the jointer itself. Essentially, a larger bed will merit a heftier price tag and vice versa.

The reasoning for this increase in price related to the table width is the accuracy of the bed in relation to the blades. Having a proper orientation down to a millimeter can make a difference when using the jointer. Accounting for these minuscule errors of judgments is a consideration the manufacturer must take.

Using a bed with six to eight inches seems to be sufficient for most uses of the jointer. Anything beyond eight inches is typically used in larger, complex projects. Unless you are planning a specifically large project, a standard six or eight-inch table should be enough for any use you may have.

Having the ability to angle the table can help you smoothen out wood more cleanly. The different angles used when cutting the wood will manifest in the smoothness of the cut and the ease of doing the same.

However, you should note that this option may be difficult for larger tables with more extensive and heavier builds. Adjusting to the desired angle is not as seamless an experience as that of the smaller jointers.

Fences

One of the essential components of a jointer, the fence, keeps the wood from skewing while sliding it along the bed. Having a fence that is durable and adjustable is vital in the workflow when using a jointer.

A fence with poor attachment to the jointer itself will lead to variations in the cuts’ smoothness.

Blades

Easily an overlooked component of the tool; blade selection is important and can save you time and money in the long run as you use the jointer. Most, if not all of them, come with a set of blades already. However, these blades will need to be replaced eventually with wear and tear over time.

Using curved blades over the straight option is the preferred way to go for jointers. Putting a straight blade in a jointer will break down and dull the edges at an alarming speed, even with light use. There is also the risk of having the straight blade break while using the machine, which can be dangerous and cause injury.

As such, curved blades are the way to go when deciding which blade option to choose.

Dust Collection Bag

Considered an extra feature in some jointers, a dust collection bag is self-explanatory in its function. By collecting the leftover chipped-away material into a bag, it eases the cleanup process. However, the absence of a dust collection bag is not necessarily a deal-breaker.

A jointer does produce a considerable amount of sawdust and debris that can make its way into other machines and the work area. If you can not afford to have dust in your surroundings, a dust collection bag will be a necessary feature in your jointer.

Not only does it make cleanup a substantially efficient process, but it also has other long-term benefits. After all, having dust and dirt settle in and around your work area can be harmful to your respiratory system. Moreover, it will only make the environment more susceptible to accidents and malfunctions.

By attaching directly to the jointer itself, the dust collection bag collects the debris and stores it until disposal, eliminating the need for vacuuming and cleaning. A larger bag can store the dirt until it is full and needs to be disposed of, thereby saving you time cleaning.

Cutech Jointer Review

Weight And Build

Being benchtop jointers, they incorporate effortlessly into any workshop space with a small footprint.

Coming in either six (40160H) or eight-inch (40180HB) variants and weighing a good 40 and 49 pounds, respectively, Cutech jointers have a quality build and inspire confidence for their size. It is one machine that is not going anywhere while running.

The 40180HB has a larger than usual table measuring 34” but can be extended up to 51” for longer planks.

But one area that this jointer suffers in is the quality of the fence. It is made of aluminum and measures 19 ¾ inches and is adjustable. However, the aluminum stands out as a thin sheet, a stark contrast from the otherwise quality build of the rest of the machine.

On the other hand, the table has a tough Teflon coating to prevent scratches and allow smooth usability when working. It can also be rotated from 90 to 135 degrees with a secure lock. This range allows for more versatility to get difficult angles in your cuts as and when needed for any project.

Power

The motor in the Cutech jointers is a 10-amp model and carries 120V of power. Reaching speeds of up to 12,000 RPM, it can efficiently power the blade and give you a smooth cut.

Maintenance

Maintaining the Cutech jointer is a simple job. While both models may not include dust collection bags for seamless cleanup, both feature a 2.5-inch dust port for easy vacuuming.

Finding replacements for the blades as well as any part you may need is not an issue. With dedicated customer support as well as online availability, there should be no issue related to maintenance.

Additionally, buying replacements for the Cutech jointers is budget-friendly. Not only are the blades good in quality and last long, but they come in packs of 10 online. Take into account the rotation of the individual blades; plus, it is easy to make these blades last the distance.

Blades

Moving on to the blades on the Cutech jointers, both come with spiral cutterhead blades measuring six inches. The models’ blades rotate at 10,500 RPM with a standard max depth cut of ⅛”.

Where both differ from each other is the number of inserts. The six-inch model comes with 12 two-sided HSS inserts, whereas the eight-inch sports 16 of the same inserts. It is noteworthy that both can upgrade from HSS to Carbide inserts.

And when replacing the chipped blades, you can replace individual teeth rather than the whole blade. Rotating the blade to use the lesser worn down teeth of the blade is an option that gives value for money, all while providing a smooth cut.

Being able to rotate the blade and replace individual inserts is an option not found in many other jointers. This feature has the potential to save you big on money and time.

Pros

Ability to rotate blades out
Low noise levels
Extendable table for large planks
Adjustable table for different angles
Included push blocks and tools to adjust cutter heads
Two-year Cutech warranty

Cons

Flimsy aluminum fence
No vacuum bag
The lighter weight model requires proper securing before use

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a jointer and a planer?

For the newcomer in the world of woodworking, a jointer and a planer may appear to do the same thing. While this is essentially true in that both do create flat and smooth surfaces on the wood, the tools are designed for different and unique tasks.

On the other hand, a planer is designed to maintain the same thickness across the wood. It is instrumental when making parallel surfaces.

Meanwhile, a jointer is designed to smooth a face that is to be joined with another surface. This is done to make sure the meeting point of the two pieces is seamless.

Creating a clean-cut square intersection will improve the quality of your projects.

Are jointers and planers both necessary tools?

As such, the question comes up of whether one machine can be used to do the job of the other. Undoubtedly both the jointer and planer share functions as they smooth the edges of the wood. Purchasing just the planer could potentially save you both money and space at the same time.

In fact, using a planer to function as a jointer is also possible. However, it requires a higher skill set and know-how to emulate the same effect of a jointer. It is not usually used to make the flat edges that a jointer is designed to create.

Having both these tools at your disposal is simply a much easier process. No hassle or thought is needed to create the shapes you want.

Verdict

The Cutech brand is up-and-coming, but it is already making waves by providing excellent tools for a price that isn’t outrageous for the investment that will last. Be it for the novice or master; they offer quality tools for any skill level.

Both of these benchtop jointers deliver in smoothing out surfaces on par with standalone jointers with consistency and efficiency. They operate at a considerably lower noise level while maintaining their small footprint.

To say this quality experience and output is coming from a benchtop jointer is no small feat!

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