Can I cut metal or other non-wood materials with your jointers? Although our jointers can physically cut many different types of materials, they are designed only to cut natural wood or wood-based materials (plywood, MDF, OSB, etc.). Cutting materials not intended for a woodworking jointer can lead to serious injury for the operator or bystanders, shorten the machine's lifespan, and void the warranty.
Can I still use my jointer without connecting it to a dust collector? Yes, but we don't recommend it. Without using a dust collector, dust will quickly accumulate inside and around your machine, requiring more cleaning later. Besides being messy, fine dust can be harmful to your respiratory system. A better option is to connect your table saw to a properly designed dust collection system that at least provides the recommended minimum CFM for your machine's dust port.
I see some machines advertised for 220V, some for 230V, and some for 240V. Aren't these all the same? And if so, why don't you just pick one and use it consistently on all machines throughout your catalog and website? The answer to the first part of your question is both yes and no. Yes, generally speaking, all machines advertised with any of these voltages will operate on the same nominal power supply, and as a consumer, you usually don't need to be concerned. No, because the official nominal voltage recognized in different countries actually does vary slightly. For example, in the USA, the nominal voltage is officially 240V; however, in Taiwan, it might be 220V, and in China, it might be 230V. These differences primarily concern the power companies in these countries, which are typically required to guarantee that the power supply service to consumers is within plus or minus 5% of the nominal voltage. Similarly, motor manufacturers typically must guarantee that their motors will operate within plus or minus 10% of the voltage indicated on the nameplate. Therefore, our policy is to show the actual voltage indicated on the motor's nameplate. This provides our customers with the most accurate information, preventing discrepancies between our catalog and the machine's labeling upon arrival.
What is the difference between the G9860 8" x 76" Benchtop Jointer and the G9860ZX 8" x 76" Benchtop Jointer with Spiral Cutterhead? The G9860 has a straight-knife cutterhead, and the G9860ZX has a spiral cutterhead with indexable carbide inserts. Aside from this difference, the two models are identical.
Can you install a spiral cutterhead before shipping the machine to me? Unfortunately, no. However, we do sell similar machines that already have spiral cutterheads pre-installed and tested at the factory.