Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 23, 2002 08:32am | #1

   Dac, don't waste your money on a benchtop jointer!  Go for the Grizzly 6" or 8" or a Jet or Delta 6" (if you win the lottery, their 8").

   A benchtop jointer is akin to a benchtop 9" bandsaw -- not likely to keep you happy for very long at all.

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

2. 
   RSRose | Oct 23, 2002 06:40pm | #2

   Dac,

   The Grizzly 6" jointer is an excellent machine. One always has to apologize about Grizzly equipment in some minor regard, because they have to cut corners somewhere to keep the price down. Not so for their jointers. The 8" is better than the 6" for all the reasons that bigger is better. But the 6" leaves nothing to be desired in a machine of that size.

   My only recommendation regarding modification of the basic machine - get a link belt from Grizzly when you order ($20). The vibration that ordinary V-belts generate in small machines is frightful. And the junk V-belts that Grizzly supplies as standard with their jointers and saws are especially bad. The difference between the standard belt and the link belt is like night and day.

   DON't waste even a minute thinking about a bench top jointer.

   R

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/23/2002 11:44:12 AM ET by Rich Rose

1. 
   bobpowers | Oct 23, 2002 08:10pm | #6

   Once in a while, a post goes "ding!"  I was thinking of responding to this one since I have a 6" Grizzley that's about 10 years old.  It makes things smooth and square (when I set it that way.)

   Negatives?  When I first set it up, in moving the fence across the bed I put a big scratch in the bed.  I soon discovered a big burr on the bottom of the fence.  When I spoke to Grizzley about it, they said it was my fault,  I should have checked the fence for burrs in the first place.

   Second negative?  Lots of rattling and vibration.  That's when your post went "ding!" In spite of all the messages about Link Belts, somehow I hadn't thought of it as it relates to my jointer.  Chalk up anothe Link Belt sale.

   However, if I needed another jointer, I would buy another Grizzley.

   Bob

2. 
   DAC | Oct 24, 2002 06:07am | #11

   Rich,

   Thanks to you, and others who offered advice...    esp the part about the alternative drive belt.  

   DAC

3. 
   3dog3 | Oct 23, 2002 07:49pm | #3

   DAC:

   Save up a few extra pennies and hold out for the 8".  The only people who seem to be negative about Grizzly are the people who would never buy a foreign made machine.  More to do with blind allegiance than actual quality or function of the machine.

   Have fun, be safe.

   Michael

1. 
   fdampier5 | Oct 23, 2002 07:56pm | #4

   I've shoved more than 10,000 bd.ft. thru my 8" grizzly and the only thing it needs is the parts I bent or broke when it tipped over. Still usin it though!

4. 
   Lar55 | Oct 23, 2002 08:03pm | #5

   Get the 8" if you can afford it.  It's not only wider, but heavier and longer tables. 

   I'm with Rich on this one, stay away from bench top models.

   Lar

5. 
   JeffKurtz | Oct 23, 2002 08:40pm | #7

   Stay away from the bench top models, regardless of who sells them.  The jointer, like most other woodworking machines, relies on the length of its fence and tables for a great part of its accuracy.  Buy the largest jointer you can afford.  If you buy a 6", find the one with the longest tables and fence.

   Jeff

6. 
   Rdan1 | Oct 23, 2002 11:07pm | #8

   I've had a 6" Grizzly Jointer for about 12 years and am very happy with it. No problems. Like some of the other folks who responded, I would probably hold out for an 8" if budget and space allow, but you won't be disappointed with the 6".  Dan

1. 
   nicobie | Oct 24, 2002 03:27am | #9

   I'd check out Sunhill before ordering a Grizzly.

   Cheaper

    4 knife cutter-head

   Just a thought.The proof is in the puddin'

1. 
   Vibart2 | Oct 24, 2002 03:52am | #10

   I think I would stick with the 3 knife cutter head why because most of the home hobby shop jointers out there have 3 knife cutter heads. If which ever company that sells 4 knife cutter head jointers goes out of business where will you get knives packaged in  4 knife sets or will you need to purchase more than 1 set to get 4 knives. Or will you need to always go back to this company to get all your 4 knife sets of blades. Where as you could maybe just go down town & pick up a set of 3 for you 3 knife head. I guess it all depends on how easy you want the availability of your jointer knives to be.

   Edited 10/23/2002 8:56:08 PM ET by Bart

1. 
   Lar55 | Oct 24, 2002 06:20am | #12

   Bridgewood also sells their 8" Jointers with 4 knifes which produces a slightly better finish than 3 knifes.