Carba-tec CTJ-196 Jointer Review

I recently purchased a Carba-tec CTJ-196 jointer. I thought I'd give it a quick review...

This is the short table 6" Deluxe unit. I wandered around checking out jointer after jointer. Too expensive, awkward fences. I eventually settled on this unit. And I'm really pleased.

The tables were flat to within a thou. and in the 0 position they were coplanar to within a couple of thou. For what I do, that's more than good enough (and it's very good - period).

I particularly like the fence mechanism on this jointer. It's simple to use, and easy to slide & lock (I usually move the fence progressive back when I have a lot of edges to joint in a probably worthless effort to even the knife wear). Setting the stops was fiddly (the usual screw & nut-as-a-lock mechanism you get on low cost machinery).

Chip extraction absolutely needs a dust collector to work properly, or the chips will just block up in the chute. With a modest collector, though (mine's a 2hp) it works fine.

The infeed table height adjuster is simpler to use, but quite 'hard' to depress the unlocking lever. I need to find a little bit of time to look at it and adjust that out if possible.

The rolling cabinet works well.

All in all the issues above are minor at most. I really like this jointer. I've been using it heavily over the past two weeks, and it's done a sterling job. Of course, if you have the room a longer table is always better, but for those like myself whose workshops are "space challenged", it's a brilliant compromise. I haven't noticed any disadvantage to the short table at all for normal furniture work .. it's probably going to be more noticeable if you're working with 3m lengths of timber!

Phil

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Originally Posted by SP_Flip

I recently purchased a Carba-tec CTJ896 jointer. Phil

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Shouldn't that be "Carba-tec CTJ-196" ?

Thanks for the review Phil. Just one question, what made you choose the CTJ-196 in preference to the CTJ-190 which has almost identical specs except for the extra 10mm length of the bed and of course, the cabinet enclosed motor of the CTJ-196? The CTJ-190 is $160 cheaper and I guess you decided the CTJ-196 was worth the extra dollars but what was your main reason for choosing it. On the surface, it would appear you can buy "almost" the same jointer for $160 less so that may be of interest to others who might be considering buying one of the CT jointers. I would imagine your review comments would almost certainly be appropriate to the CTJ-190 as well as the CTJ-196

Thanks again Phil, good review. I am sure there are many of us who are wanting a good cheapish jointer. :2tsup:

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Originally Posted by munruben

Shouldn't that be "Carba-tec CTJ-196" ?

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Yep - thanks! I got in right in the subject and wrong in the body! Fixed it now...

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Originally Posted by munruben

Thanks for the review Phil. Just one question, what made you choose the CTJ-196 in preference to the CTJ-190 which has almost identical specs except for the extra 10mm length of the bed and of course, the cabinet enclosed motor of the CTJ-196? The CTJ-190 is $160 cheaper and I guess you decided the CTJ-196 was worth the extra dollars but what was your main reason for choosing it. On the surface, it would appear you can buy "almost" the same jointer for $160 less so that may be of interest to others who might be considering buying one of the CT jointers. I would imagine your review comments would almost certainly be appropriate to the CTJ-190 as well as the CTJ-196

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I didn't like the infeed table mechanism much on that jointer when I played with it in the showroom .. it seemed stiff and difficult to get an exact setting. But mostly it was the fence mechanism. A lot of the low end jointers seem to have fence mechanisms that require a contortionist to balance two moving heavy pieces of cast iron while using their third hand to lock the thing in place! :C I found that with the budget Carba-tec model and all those from Hare & Forbes. It's probably a personal quirk, but clunky mechanisms really bug me.

I also really liked the roller cabinet. A good roller base adds anything from $60 on up to a machine, so for a tight shop that reduces the money savings. Everything in my shop is on wheels .. I need to shift everything to the walls to have just enough space to drop a sheet of ply on the floor to break it up (using my pro-grip guides.. I really should post a review on those. I love those things!

I got one of those as well. This was the first Jointer that I have purchased let alone used. I have had it for about a year now. Working really nice.

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Originally Posted by SP_Flip

I also really liked the roller cabinet. A good roller base adds anything from $60 on up to a machine

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Looks like I will have to save up a bit more cash. :) Thanks for the info, appreciated.:2tsup:

Sounds pretty much the same as the CTJ-190 I purchased late last year. Not perfect, but has so far done all I have asked of it. Only bummer was the round plastic knob on the infeed height preset that stripped its thread, so I'll probably throw a nyloc on it for grip.

Couple of extra points:
I use scrap bits of 25mm chipboard and four locking castors at about $6 each from the local $2 shop to make mobile bases for my machines. Much quicker than dragging the welder out.

Also, the jointer puts a very nice edge (including bevels) on acrylic sheet in preparation for glue.

Apologies for the minor hijack...