I recently purchased a Grizzly 8″ Jointer, Model G1018. I have run MAYBE 100 linear feet through this machine. It has not all been in one spot on the knives, nor did the wood have any foreign matter in it. It seems that the factory knives wear VERY quicky. It I were to replace the knives, then there are two options available from grizzly (not including the Dispoz-A-Blade system). They are High Speed Steel (no spec) and M-2 High Speed Steel. The M-2 blades are actually cheaper.
I was thinking of going carbide, but the carbide sources I have found do not have the size that I need. I need three 8″ x 1″ x 1/8″ knives. Does anyone know of a carbide knife supplier that would handle this size? What about some technical info in the M-2/no-spec HSS area? What is M-2 and is that the best HSS I can get?
TIA,
Del
Replies
Carbide is generally not a good choice. It is very brittle and chips easily. In addition, the whole knife can break rather than the edge just chipping. Carbide can not be sharpened to as fine an edge as HHS.
Overall, the best value is HHS blades for jointers and planers.
Del, I would only offer you tips on my experience with steel vs. carbide jointer blades. I am not familiar with Grizzly's tools although its sounds as if the Dispoz-A-Blade system could be where the market is heading, like it or not. I have been spoiled in this area and haven't had the need to check up on some of the specs your interested in but I can offer you a small tid bit of advice on each.* Steel is the old time buddy of woodworking. Good in cost/performance.* Carbide tipped knives and solid carbide knives pose different problems and generally are a little better for plastics, non-ferrous metals, and composites in your jointer. Very expensive in the long run. Think about ordering more of your lumber and moldings S4s from larger millwork companies and incorporate those estimates into your pricing. Why spend the time working on your machines instead of building something? Different types of woods mandate how much more percentage on top of your original estimate you should order. Watch out for the new growth types of trees out there and the feed-rate's your millwork company use's so you don't end up making ski's out of your purchased wood! ( They generally grind their own steel knives to use in molders for cost effectiveness and performance.) Hope this helps. ...Pike...
Carbide stays sharp, but is very brittle... that means the first time your $300 planer blades hit a knot or something *really* hard they chip and it pretty much ruins your day.
HSS blades are a good compromise of cost, durability and forgiveness, plus you can grind a chip out of your hss knives... not so on the carbide.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled