DELTA 37-361 12-Inch 3 Horsepower Jointer, 230-Volt 1 Phase

Oh, Grizzly makes a 12" joiner with helical head also, but who wants to take a chance on them? I can't "bear" the thought of wasting my money. (Ha Ha)


Pretty basic for the money   December 22, 2002
34 out of 37 found this review helpful

first off, I have to say that the notion of getting the widest jointer you can afford is absolutely correct. I had a 6" Delta for several years, and was always an inch or two shy of being able to easily flatten the typical board. Now - no problem - its rare that you run across anything more than 10" wide.

I've had this jointer (single phase motor) for a couple of years now. After considering several brands in and around this size, including the new line of Grizzly, General International, and a Brazilian brand that made jointers for Delta (I believe Invicta), even with the added cost I decided to get Delta because . . . well, its Delta. They've been very good anytime I've had a problem with one of their machines.

So, this machine is very solid, and does its job well. But - the blades are relatively difficult to change, particularly when compared with other brands. You can't get it with a Tersa cutter. The dust collection is poor; for fine cuts its constantly clogging right below the cutter hed. The lever action height adjustment is more difficult to fine adjust than a wheel. On the up side, the cast iron came in flat to a couple thousandths, and had pretty much stayed that way (cast iron continues to shrink for a couple of years after its been cast and machined - inexpensive cast iron needs to be continuously adjusted, and occasionally remachined).

So, if for a lot of money you are OK with a very solid jointer, this works fine (even if made in Tawain). But in retrospect, I'd take a much closer look at the other brands that offer more features and have improved their service.


The DJ-30 Is A Man's Machine....   August 9, 2000
Christopher A. Loemker (Edwardsville, IL United States)
22 out of 39 found this review helpful

The ability to take WIDE rough stock and eliminate all cupping prior to planing makes this machine, second only to my table saw, the most useful in the shop. Greatly increases overall accuracy. The huge infeed/outfeed beds make even the longest board easy to manage. I had a 6' Delta jointer prior to this one and wonder how I lived without it.