Replies

1. 
   JMartinsky | Sep 05, 2006 02:37pm | #1

   Dear Quietude,
   I have a 6" Powermatic jointer that I swapped out the cutter-head for a Byrd "Shelix" unit ( http://www.byrdtool.com/journals.html ) Nothing short of outstanding. One of the few things that I have bought that actually functions as advertised. ( Go Figure!) My reason was simply that I didn't want to be fooling around with setting the knives. I work commercially so time is money. Benefits:

   1) No knife setting.
   2) The inserts seem to last forever
   3) Reduced tear out.
   4) Less feed pressure
   5) Reduced cutting noise (Although the cutterhead does "whine" as opposed to the "whir" of a standard cutterhead.)

   6) Byrd as a company offers very good customer service. I had some questions and they gave me Mr. Bryd who spent quite a bit of time on the phone with me explaining the whole deal.

   Differences:

   1) The sound of the spinning cutterhead is a whine.
   2) On some face cuts, I have had "lines" that are left in the material lengthwise that are visible, but can not be felt. A quick sand eliminates them.

   That's it, well worth the investment in my opinion.

   Best,

   John

2. 
   mapleman | Sep 05, 2006 07:57pm | #2

   Quiet,

   Grizzly sells both the Byrd shelix and their own version for 8" jointers. Grizzly's version is a little cheaper.

   Lee

1. 
   quietude | Sep 07, 2006 09:28am | #3

   Thanks for the information, it sounds like the byrd is the ticket.
   luke