Found a Jet Jointer/planer I like. it comes in 8 inch and 10 inch. Difference in price is about 125 bucks but the 10 inch comes with a stand. they both have the same 12 Amp motor (2 HP) .

My question is , how often do you have to plane boards more than 8 inches wide? I will never have to Jointer anything that wide so its really just the planer function if I go for the 10 inch.

Right now I'm leaning towards the 8 inch but can swing the 10 inch if there is justification.

If you are building multi board panels for cabinets/furniture a wider planing capability is very useful... if you do not plan to glue up multi board panels go with the smaller unit.

How much is the 8 inch unit? I would think for the lousy $125 you would get all the capacity available. You may never plane 10" stock but you may get into stuff that is over 8."

Get the ten it will give you the ability to do wider if you want to.
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No one ever says I should have bought the model capable of doing less work. Although you may not have an immediate need to plane 10" if the need should arise you've got that covered.
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What he said ^ I have a 15" and have used all of it
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Good advice. I also noticed the table on the 10 inch is much longer so that has me leaning towards the 10 inch. Right now the debate in my mind has now switched to whether I should get a seperate Jointer and planer. The planer would likely be about 13 inches wide.

Like a kid in a candy store, I can't make up my mind. :)

Buy the planer!

Got the 10 inch Jet do to longer table and included stand. Its a little heavier too. Also noticed Norm on New Yankee workshop uses the width of the blade a little at a time so even doing mostly jointing of thinner stock I will have 25% longer blade life as I work across the extra 2 inches of width vs the 8 incher. Will eventually get a separate thickness planer but can use this ones capability until then.. Need the jointer now for a project I'm doing.

Anyway , got it from a company called Equipment Surplus and Sales. They are an outlet for Jet and Powermatic. Best available price online. Free shipping , no sales tax. Took a month to decide to buy it and now I can hardly wait the few days for the delivery. New Toy!! :)

Mike;
I hope you get many years of service from your new toy. Enjoy it.

good choice! My wife chose the 10 inch over the 8 inch and has been happy ever since!