Replies

1. 
   frenchy | Dec 06, 2007 07:10am | #1

   bbobo, 

    I own the G0500 the predicesor to the G0586.  It's levers versis wheels and I haven't found the levers to be any problem.  However I would really hate to lose the extra inch mine has in width even though the blades only cover 8 inches..

    I can cheat the blades and get another 1/4 inch or more, sometimes that is important..

1. 
   bbobo | Dec 06, 2007 06:05pm | #2

   Well, that's what concerned me b/c the G0490 only has an 8" wide bed vs. a 9 1/4" bed on the G0586.  Unless I'm wrong, you wouldn't be able to joint a full 8" board since the thickness of the fence would be resting on the beds.

   How do you take advantage of the extra width?  Wouldn't the board be uneven to where you would have to balance the difference between the board width and 8"?

   Thanks, Brett

1. 
   frenchy | Dec 06, 2007 06:43pm | #3

   bbobo

    I haven't seen the G049 but on my jointer the fence sits behind the 9 1/4 inches unless I shove it forward.

    There are 4 blades, I alternate putting them out, one blade slightly to the left the next slightly to the right etc..  so I can joint 8 1/4 inches and I think even more if I was really forced to.   That added width allows me to joint a full 8 inch wide board where an 8 inch wide jointer might not quite get the full 8 inches completely flat. 

    

2. 
   saschafer | Dec 06, 2007 07:21pm | #4

   "Unless I'm wrong, you wouldn't be able to joint a full 8" board since the thickness of the fence would be resting on the beds."

   I can't speak for that specific model, but the jointers I've seen will let you move the fence all of the way past the end of the knives in the cutter head, so you could, in principle, set it right at the edge of the knives and get an 8" cut.

   -Steve

    

3. 
   Soetermans | Dec 06, 2007 08:56pm | #5

   I own a G0490 and love it!  I was all set to get one with handwheel adjustments and talked to friend of mine who has a delta that also has the parallelogram beds and he highly recommended it.  I've run about 1000 bd ft of white oak through it since I got it and it hasn't given any problems.

   As for the bed, you can set the fence so that it rests off (behind) the beds and gives you acess to the full length of the blade.  This is my first jointer (i've always just used my father-in-law's 6" Delta) and it is a big step up for me.  The cutting adjustments are not difficult at all.  I'm sure you could probably adjust in finer increments with handwheels, but I haven't run into any problems yet.

2. 
   brownman | Dec 09, 2007 08:57am | #6

   I've owned their G0490 for just over a year now and I like it. Quality is good and it works well. I've never owned a jointer until now and I can't figure out how I've gotten along without it for so long. Installing the blades is a little time consuming, but that's true for almost any jointer. I'm considering a purchase of the Dispose-A-Blade holders and knives. Would love to hear from anyone who has this set up. Not a big fan of their built in mobile base, but it gets the job done. I'll eventually make my own mobile base, one that has four locking swivel wheels. For what this machine does you just can't beat that price any where.
   Danny

3. 
   ohcomeon | Dec 10, 2007 04:51am | #7

   bbobo, I have the ShopFox 1741 which is identical to the 0490 (exept color).  Here are my thoughts.

   1. Levers provide very precise adjustment; the beds move super-smoothly and I can make very fine adjustments.

   2. The bed is in fact right at 8", as are the knives.  But as has been mentioned you can move the fence all the way back.  Plus, my fence has a slight skew to it which technically means you get a slightly wider cut.  You can face joint the full width of a true 8" board, slightly wider even.

   3. 3HP motor is probably no benefit over the 2hp on an 8" jointer.  Nice to have, but I don't think it really matters.  The original DJ20 which these are modeled after only came with a 1.5 HP I think.

   4. Built in casters are nice.

   5. Many claim the parallel beds are a big bonus due to adjustability.  I'm hoping I don't have to fiddle with mine, but if I do it should be easier than shimming a dovetail way jointer.

   But, in the end I think either one will serve your needs well.  The 0490/1741 has been a good machine for me and was a bargain I think.

   Jake