Replies

1. 
   MCelona | Apr 18, 2003 11:15pm | #1

   I have the Powermatic 8" jointer. It is a pleasure to use, smooth in operation, and above all it's accurate! I know it is exspensive, but for me it was worth the money. Good Luck!

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 19, 2003 01:50am | #3

   "Which jointer" has been a popular subject the last month or so.  If you search on the different ones ("Grizzly Jointer"  "Sunhill Jointer") you'll find a number of threads.

   Lot's of happy owners for most of them, it seems.  The new Grizzly 8" jointer is a real nice machine with an extra-long bed. 

   As frenchy said, it's hard to go wrong.  If it sets up nicely out of the box, flat table and all, and a decent motor, it should be good for awhile.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

   Edited 4/18/2003 7:01:18 PM ET by forestgirl

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Apr 19, 2003 03:50am | #4

   Sounds like you may have one.   If so, how long have you had it?  Any problems?  Is the bed flat and true?  Have you had any customer service experience with Grizzly, good or bad?

   Thanks,

   Alan -- planesaw

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 19, 2003 07:04pm | #8

   My jointer is a "scratch 'n dent" Jet 6" -- was way to strapped for funds to get the 8" at the time.  I do have a Grizzly bandsaw, and I have had excellent customer service at Grizzly when I needed it -- had a problem with the roller guide assembly.  Also, I talked with them about the table, a hypothetical question "If it's not flat, will you make it right?"  They said "Absolutely." 

   Over the past couple of years, I've followed closely posts from people who have and use various brands of machines.  That helps me decide what I'd buy when the time comes, and has led me to conclude that Grizzly makes a fine jointer.  Frenchy has one.  Another Knothead (Bob someone, Powers maybe?) reported having a 6" Grizzly jointer at home, and using an 8" at work, running many thousands of board feet through it, works fine.  There's a member from another forum who has a shop on one of the islands here in Puget Sound.  Shop's full of Grizzly machines, and he's been quite happy with them.

   So, though I'd not choose Grizzly for all of my WWing tools, I'd certain choose a Grizzly for the 8" barring winning a Lotto prize.  My total investment in the Jet I bought was $185, as I split it with a friend.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

   Edited 4/19/2003 12:11:39 PM ET by forestgirl

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Apr 19, 2003 11:22pm | #9

   I haven't come across any used equipment.  I hear it is out there.  Apparently I am just not in the right network.

   Thanks for your thoughts.  Regardless of the brand, you hear some good and some bad.  I have thought Bridgewood to be generally better than Grizzly, but as long as they work, it doesn't really matter.

   Thanks,

   Alan -- planesaw

   Edited 4/19/2003 4:24:29 PM ET by Alan

2. 
   forestgirl | Apr 19, 2003 11:41pm | #10

   Yep, the used stuff can be pretty hard to find.  I'm fortunate to be just across the water and up the freeway from the Jet warehouse in Auburn, and there's a Jet/Powermatic scratch-n-dent place right down the road from them.  They had to peel me off the Powermatic cabinet saw!!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   alanplanesaw | Apr 19, 2003 03:53am | #5

   Thanks Mike.  Why do you think the Powermatic costs so much more?  Is it really worth it, and if so, what is the difference that would justify that much more cost?

   I understand that the Powermatic brand was considered high quality years ago, but I have not heard anything to suggest it is any better than the others now.

   Thoughts?  Info?

   Alan -- planesaw

1. 
   MCelona | Apr 22, 2003 01:27am | #11

   Hi Alan

   The Powermatic model 60 has always had a heavier casting. I belive that the heavier machines do run smoother.

   The Powermatic is made in the United States. They use Baldor motors, or Leeson. These too are manufactured here. To me, this means something. With all that is going on in the world today, and how so much of our manufacturing is done overseas, I feel that it is the right thing to do. Is the higher price worth it? I could have bought almost 3 Grizzly jointers for what I paid for my Powermatic, but I would feel like a traitor. I know the Powermatic is a high quality machine and it has proven itself over many years to last a life time. Imports, although good and cheap, are just that.....imports not made by fellow American workers. I make money with my equipment, and I know I will get back my investment and then some. Other people are not as fortunate.

   911 changed everything for me. Almost all of my imported equipment has been replaced by that made in the USA. I have 2 pieces left, both JET. I will be selling them in the very near future and replacing them with domestic equipment.

   Good luck with your choices, and happy woodworking!

2. 
   fdampier5 | Apr 19, 2003 01:29am | #2

   I wonder what could go wrong with a jointer,  In my whole life I've never heard of trouble with one..

    thus any jointer you get will stand a great chance of working well..

     As for me I bought a Grizzley 8 in and my pleasure with it caused me to buy a whole bunch of their tools..

3. 
   mtr | Apr 19, 2003 05:14am | #6

   Take a look at the new General (of Canada).  Their 8 inch jointer now has a 74 inch bed instead of the old 64 inch.  I own a few General machines.  There is nothing better in that price range.  Try Ashman Technical for a price.  They seem to always have the best price on General stuff.  Wish I were buying a new machine!  Good luck.

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Apr 19, 2003 06:03am | #7

   Thanks.  I'll check it out.  My cabinet saw is a General.  Love it.

4. 
   Lilshaver | Apr 22, 2003 05:43am | #12

   The Delta professional 8 inch is junk. My pal bought the one in my shop. The first that was delivered had a outfeed bed that was in winding. The next one has flat beds but the required extensive shimming to be put into parallel. Even now, that adjustment is finicky. The gib adjustment screws had such poorly sized alan heads that they couldn't be tightened. We replaced them. The fence adjustments are sloppy. Need I go on?

   Overall this machine falls into the same catagory of most Delta machines I've seen in recent years. They have sloppy machining, and even sloppier detailing. Oh yea...and every part that they can make out of plastic, they do.

5. 
   Thom1 | Apr 22, 2003 07:07am | #13

   My advise, is to apply a Starret or similar machinist straightedge to the jointer you are buying, not just the showroom model.  This may all be a thing of the past, but when I bought mine, there was significant varaition in straightness, including in some then premium models.

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Apr 22, 2003 06:13pm | #14

   Thom,

   Good advice.  Thanks.