Replies

1. 
   hmthomas | Jan 19, 2004 04:22pm | #1

   I have had it for about 3 or 4 months.  At the time I bought it there was nothing else on the market that compared (for the price).  I guess you get what you pay for, initially I was a bit disappointed at the 5 inch bolt on extensions to the bed but over time I've gotten used to it and they really work so...

   I've run alot of wood through it and I do use alot of the tropical hardwoods. The one complaint I've had is that it seems that the quality of the steel in the blades isn't great. I recently honed the blades and it's cutting beautifully again but I'm considering getting another set of blades from another source for it.  Another thing is that there are 4 blades which is a plus when cutting (I guess) but additional time & expense at sharpening.

   Bottom line, a good value. Plenty of power, solid machine, flat bed, nice cuts, easy hand wheel adjustments. If you can find all these features for the same price somewhere else then buy it.

   One last thing, they deliver to the curb, not to the shop. I backed my truck up to the tractor trailer and loaded the 2 boxes in. You'll need help but its not a big deal.

   Good luck, Hugh 

2. 
   forestgirl | Jan 19, 2004 07:39pm | #2

   Is that the one Frenchy bought?  He loves his 8" jointer, don't know if it's the exact same model though.

   forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

3. 
   mlbfreestyle | Jan 19, 2004 08:28pm | #3

   I purchased the 0500 about 2 months ago.  The box was pretty well beat up during shipping.  The machine was not structurally damaged but there were some spots of rust on the bed and fence.  It had not pitted the surface yet, just discolored it.  I was not very happy about it, but it is cosmetic only.

   One reason I did not send it back to get a replacement is that the bed checked out to be very flat (checked within 0.002" with a Starret 6' straight edge).

   The motor did not work and had a new one sent out.  Grizzly did not fully compensate me for the cost of shipping the defective one back (they said they would but did not).

   I found that the extension tables will probably need more tweeking than most anticipate.  You don't just slap some tape on the end of bed as shims as described and then bolt the thing on.  I spent about 30 minutes each tying various thicknesses of materials, ending up with one layer of masking tape and 3 layers of aluminum foil.  You must the get the extensions nearly perfectly coplaner with the bed.  If it is high; then you will make convex cuts on long stock.  If it is low, you might as well not have the extra length.

   As for performance, I have been very happy with it.  Adjustment is quick and accurate.  Cuts are of a high quality.  I am impressed with the overall quality of the castings and machining.  It runs quietly for a 2hp machine.  Lateral adjustment of the fence is a breeze; just as easy as the Delta rack and pinion on some of their models.

   Adjusting the motor table (belt tensioning) is not particularly easy.  Glad it's done now.

   I did some extensive research on this; comparing the 0500 to the Delta DJ-20, PM 60B, and others.  I think I got the most bang for the buck and perhaps the better machine regardless of cost (at least when comparing to machines costing less that $2k).

4. 
   TerryH | Jan 20, 2004 03:00am | #4

   John,

   I have had my G0500 for a few months. I am very pleased with the machine. I feel that there is no better jointer buy out there. I have a review of the jointer on my site if you would like to check it out.

   http://www.terryhatfield.com

   Terry

   Registered Shopaholic