If you've been hunting for a reliable benchtop tool, the 6 porter cable jointer is likely one of the first machines you've come across in woodworking forums or local classifieds. It has a bit of a reputation as the "entry-level workhorse," and for good reason. While big, floor-standing cast iron jointers are the dream for many, the reality of a small garage shop usually means we have to be a bit more strategic with our floor space. That's where this little machine really shines.
I remember the first time I realized I actually needed a jointer. I was trying to glue up a tabletop using "straight" boards from the local big-box store, and no matter how many clamps I used, there were still gaps you could see daylight through. It was frustrating. That's when the 6 porter cable jointer entered the picture for me. It's not the biggest tool in the world, but it solves that one specific, nagging problem: making a board actually flat and its edge actually square.
The Reality of Benchtop Jointers
Let's be honest for a second. Benchtop jointers often get a bad rap from the pros. You'll hear people say they aren't heavy enough or that the tables are too short. And sure, if you're trying to joint an eight-foot-long 8/4 slab of white oak, this machine isn't the right tool for the job. You'd probably tip the whole thing over. But for the average hobbyist making cutting boards, picture frames, or small furniture, it's a total game-changer.
The 6 porter cable jointer (specifically the PC16021 model that most people recognize) is surprisingly capable for its size. It's light enough to move around if you don't have a dedicated station for it, but it's sturdy enough that it doesn't vibrate across the workbench when you turn it on. That balance is hard to find in some of the cheaper "no-name" brands you see online these days.
Variable Speed: A Nice Perk
One of the more unique things about this machine is the variable speed dial. Now, you might think, "Why do I need to change the speed of a jointer?" Most of the big industrial ones just run at one speed. However, on a smaller machine like this, being able to adjust the cutter head speed can actually help quite a bit.
If you're working with a particularly knotty piece of pine or a very soft wood, you can crank it up to get a smoother finish. If you're pushing through a dense piece of maple or cherry, slowing it down a touch can sometimes help prevent that annoying "chatter" or tear-out that happens when the blades are moving too fast for the feed rate. It gives you a level of control that feels a bit more "pro" than the price tag suggests.
Setting It Up Right
I've spent a lot of time fiddling with the 6 porter cable jointer, and the biggest piece of advice I can give anyone is to spend an afternoon really dialing it in. Out of the box, most jointers—even the expensive ones—need a little love.
The tables on this unit are made of aluminum. This makes it light, which is great for portability, but it also means you need to be careful not to ding them. Checking that the infeed and outfeed tables are "coplanar" (basically meaning they are perfectly parallel to each other) is the first thing you should do. If they aren't, you'll end up with a "snipe" at the end of your boards or, even worse, a board that's slightly bowed instead of flat.
The fence is another area where you'll want to pay attention. It's a decent fence, but it can be a little finicky to get a perfect 90-degree angle. I usually keep a high-quality square right next to the machine. Every time I lock the fence down, I double-check it. It takes five seconds, and it saves you from the headache of realizing your "square" edges are actually 89 degrees when you go to glue them up later.
Working with the Knives
The 6 porter cable jointer typically comes with a two-knife cutter head. In the world of modern woodworking, everyone talks about helical or spiral cutter heads with those little square carbide inserts. Those are great, don't get me wrong, but they also cost a fortune.
The straight knives on this Porter Cable are actually quite good. They're easy to find replacements for, and if you're careful, you can even sharpen them yourself. The trick is getting them set at the exact same height. If one knife is even a hair higher than the other, it'll be doing all the work, and your finish will suffer. It's a bit of a learning curve to change them out the first time, but once you get the hang of using a straight edge or a magnetic jig, it's not a big deal.
Dust Collection Matters
If you run the 6 porter cable jointer without a vacuum attached, you're going to have a bad time. Jointers create a massive amount of chips very quickly. Because this is a compact machine, those chips can get backed up in the internal housing if they aren't being sucked out.
I've found that a standard shop vac is usually enough to keep it clear. It comes with a dust chute that works pretty well, though you might need an adapter to fit your specific hose. Seriously, don't skip this. Not only does it keep the shop cleaner, but it also keeps the cut cleaner. If chips get trapped between the board and the outfeed table, it can actually lift the board slightly and ruin your cut.
Managing Longer Boards
I mentioned earlier that the tables are short. That's just the nature of a benchtop machine. If you need to joint a board that's four or five feet long, you're going to need some extra support. I usually set up some outfeed rollers or even just a couple of sawhorses with a flat board across them.
The key when using the 6 porter cable jointer on longer stock is where you apply pressure. You want to start with pressure on the infeed side, but as soon as enough of the board is on the outfeed table, you shift your weight and pressure to that side. You're basically "referencing" the flat surface you just cut. It takes a little practice to get the "hand-off" right without creating a divot in the wood, but once you find the rhythm, it works surprisingly well.
Is it Still Worth Buying?
With so many new brands hitting the market, people often ask if the 6 porter cable jointer is still worth it. In my opinion, yes. There's a reason you see so many of them in hobbyist shops. They are simple, they use parts that are easy to find, and they don't have a lot of complex electronics that are going to fail on you.
It's an honest tool. It doesn't pretend to be an industrial machine, but it does exactly what it says on the tin. If you're tired of using a hand plane for hours just to get one edge straight, or if you're sick of your projects looking "amateur" because the joints don't line up, this is a fantastic investment.
It's also worth noting that because these are so popular, there is a huge community of users online. If you ever have a question about how to fix something or how to adjust the fence, you can find a dozen YouTube videos or forum posts in seconds. That kind of "user manual" from the community is worth its weight in gold.
Final Thoughts on the Benchtop Experience
At the end of the day, woodworking is about the joy of making stuff. Nothing kills that joy faster than fighting with your tools. The 6 porter cable jointer is one of those tools that, once set up, just works. It gives you that satisfying feeling of sliding two boards together and seeing absolutely no gap.
It's not the biggest, and it's certainly not the quietest (wear your ear protection!), but it's a reliable partner for any small shop. If you treat it well, keep the knives sharp, and don't try to force a massive timber through it, it'll probably last you as long as you're in the hobby. It's a classic for a reason, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.