For tough projects that involve hardwoods, the Rikon 20-600H 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer is a worthy tool, thanks to its helical-style cutter head. If you’d like to avoid spending a lot of money (and effort) frequently replacing blades, this cutter head style is for you.
So, should you know about the Rikon 20-600H 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer? I’ve written a review below to tell you just that. It goes over all of its features, specs, pros, and cons to help you decide on if it’s right for you or not.
Rikon 20-600H 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer
As a benchtop jointer that’s made for tough jobs, this tool has a powerful motor and helical-style knives that allow it to handle hardwoods without issue. This would appeal to woodworking projects involving oak and ash.
Specifications
This 6-3/4-inch benchtop jointer has 12 HSS helical-style knives in a 6-row configuration, each with two inserts. This makes it durable for long-term use because it doesn’t wear out easily compared to standard jointer knives. It has a standard 30-inch length capacity and a weight of 36 pounds.
The machine runs on a 10-amp motor at 120V 60Hz, and it has a no-load speed of 20,000 RPM for the motor and 12,000 RPM for the cutter head. With a 19-3/4 x 4-3/8-inch fence, it has a tilting capacity of 90 and 45 degrees that makes it flexible for different projects.
It will accept stock thicknesses from 1/2 to 3/4 inches, with a max depth of cut of up to 1/8 inches. What’s more, it has a 2-1/2-inch dust port for your shop vacuum needs.
Quality
This helical-style jointer is backed by a 5-year warranty from Rikon. Nonetheless, among the features that make it quite durable is its all-metal construction. What’s more, the tables are made from machined aluminum to keep them rust-free. Additionally, the insert knives are made from HSS, while also bearing a helical-style cutter head to add to its durability.
Usability
When it comes to usability, the machine has an easy-change blade mechanism with a quick access feature. It also has a convenient depth setting that comes with a scale for maintaining accuracy. Moreover, the adjustable fence’s multiple angles makes this benchtop jointer a flexible machine, great for various projects.
In addition to that, the two push blocks and spring-loaded safety guard add to the overall safety of this unit. To further make your every operation convenient, the on/off switch is located at the front for easy access. All of these features will help you to be more productive, with less risk of accidents and injury.
Should You Buy the Rikon 20-600H Benchtop Jointer?
I think the Rikon 20-600H will fit your needs if you find it tedious to keep replacing the machine blades due to wear and tear. A helical-style cutter head will suit those who use the benchtop jointer frequently because it will keep its sharpness longer than standard styles.
Likewise, it has a durable construction (all-metal and machined) that will not only make it more durable, but also accurate when you’re surface-jointing wood. This will suit both hobbyists and jobsite workers alike.
If you are still unsure about your decision, go through the below list of the pros and cons of the tool.
Pros of the Rikon 20-600H
Let’s start with the positives.
It uses helical-style knives.
A set of helical-style knives aids the overall durability of this benchtop jointer. If you simply don’t like the chore of replacing the blades often, this is a plus point and a convenience, so that you can focus more on your project.
Helical knives are not only durable, but also more efficient when handling hardwoods such as oak and ash. Therefore, if you often work with these kinds of woods, I think you’ll find this benchtop jointer to be a good fit.
The construction is quite durable.
Made with HSS cutters and all-metal construction, durability is one of the main features of this benchtop jointer. Whether you’re an at-home hobbyist or a jobsite worker, having a durable machine is always an advantage because you’ll get more value out of your money in the long run.
While it is true that HSS cutters are common on many benchtop jointers on the market today, the fact that it has a helical-style set of knives further improves this durability. Likewise, all-metal construction will also keep the machine stable, reducing the likelihood of accidents and resulting in more accurate outputs for your wood material.
It has two fence angle stops.
Unlike other machines that only go up to 45 degrees, this benchtop jointer has two fence angle stops (90 and 45 degrees) so it will accommodate the different needs for your project.
It has a slightly longer table width than most 6-inch jointers.
With 6-3/6 inches of table width, it has a slightly longer capacity when you compare it to other jointers of a similar build. Therefore, it has extra room for working on slightly longer materials.
Cons of the Rikon 20-600H
Even though the Rikon 20-600H is a great tool, there are a few cons worth noting as well.
The fence adjustment could be better.
The design of the fence could be better, and you may find it a bit too sharp, which raises concerns for injury if you’re not careful.
The locking mechanism requires a learning curve.
Although the locking mechanism works just fine, it is a little intimidating when first working with it. I do hope that the manufacturer would make the locking mechanism less complicated in the future.
What Are the Alternatives to the Rikon 20-600H?
Although I believe that the Rikon 20-600H is a great jointer to have, if you don’t find it suitable for your needs, here are some other alternatives:
The WEN JT630H 10-Amp 6-Inch Spiral Benchtop Jointer is a similar choice that has HSS blades as well. It has up to 45 degrees for its fence angle while it also has a 30-inch length for material capacity. What’s more, this tool is filled with safety features, such as a spring-loaded blade guard and two push blocks to make sure knife changing won’t cause you to have more bandages later on.
If you prefer a similar machine with helical-style blades, the JET 718600 JJ-6HHBT 6-Inch Benchtop Jointer is for you. It has a 4-sided design with 14 durable carbide blades, and a 45-degree adjustable fence. It has a 15-amp motor with a cutting speed of 10,000 RPM that allows you to handle hardwoods just fine.
Yet another similar machine is the WEN 6559 6-Inch 10-Amp Jointer, which has a dual-direction fence with 45 degrees bevel capacity. Powered up to 20,000 CPM, it will handle hardwoods and difficult projects with ease, and it has a standard dust port at 2-1/2 inches. It also includes safety features, such as the spring-loaded blade guard.
Finally, make sure to also check my overview of the best benchtop jointers on the market.
Summary
Overall, the Rikon 20-600H is a workhorse when it comes to both hardwood and softwood projects. Since it has a durable build and a set of helical-style blades, it won’t need a lot of maintenance in the long run, thereby saving time and money in the process. If you want an nearly no-fuss bench jointer for constant woodworking tasks, this machine is a great choice for you.