Many people are faced with space restrictions in their shop. Using a full sized 6” jointer eats up floor space and they are heavy. Bench top jointers have been around a long time but they always seemed under powered and noisy until now. Not anymore.
Introducing the Cutech 40160H-CT. Cutech launched in July of 2015 with a selection of thickness planers and the 40160H-CT jointer. While it looks similar to other brands of bench top jointers there are some very good features that set it apart from the rest.
The 40160H-CT has lightweight aluminum tables so it is easy to move when needed. The new aluminum cutter head features 12 inserts staggered in pairs for helical cutting. The inserts are high speed steel and carbide is available as an option. Helical cutting results in smoother cuts and since only two of the inserts are contacting the wood at a time it feels much more powerful and is quieter than other brands. The push pads have a very good gripping surface and are comfortable in the hand. A 2-1/4” standard sized dust port is included. The controls are clearly marked and easy to adjust. The power switch has a removable safety key.
It all sounds very good but how well does it perform? Out of the box assembly was simple and the instructions were clearly written. A quick wipe down of the tables and cutter head with mineral spirits followed with a wax or surface protectant. Ready to cut. I tested the jointer on redwood, red oak and a South American mystery hardwood with a dense grain. (This is wood used as a shipping crate for granite slabs and it has pink and yellow hues to it) The photo of the results speak for themselves. This jointer has plenty of power and does a great job.