Replies

1. 
   Answer | Jul 02, 2004 09:39pm | #1

   Most of my stationary equipment that I've bought is from Grizzly.  So far they have been pretty good and I feel its a good value which is why I bought them. 

2. 
   WorkshopJon | Jul 14, 2004 11:20pm | #2

   Have heard Grizzly tools are good value -anybody have any feedback?"

   I have one Grizzly tool, a 54" x 10" table, 3HP verticall milling machine purchased new.  The quality is poor compared to made in the USA or Taiwan.  Then again it only cost $4K vs. $15K for a real good one, so overall a somewhat good value.

   The biggest thing I've noticed in nearly any import tool is the low quality of the iron/steel alloys, and poor cleaning/assembly/aligning/QC.  Very minimal nickle content, ie they are prone to rusting.

   Jon

1. 
   Piffin | Jul 25, 2004 07:36pm | #4

   All the Grizzlies I have ARE made in Taiwan and are good value. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   WorkshopJon | Jul 26, 2004 05:53am | #5

   Piffin,

   Like so many importers, some of what they sell is really good, some is less than that.  Most made in Taiwan stuff IMO is pretty decent.  Grizzly (just like HF) also sells some made in China machinery that is pretty bad (and also some that is not all bad, just more hit or miss).  Best way to tell is from a user.

   Jon

1. 
   Piffin | Jul 27, 2004 01:58am | #6

   yeah, even Hitachi has some chinese junk.

   I read a review someplace in one of the wood mags or tool journal a few years ago. The writer made a trip to Taiwan to see the actual factories, some of which were little more than backyard foundaries with barefoot smelters for certain parts as subcontract suppliers, leading one to think that consistancy would not be prevalent.

   But the summation of the article was that some USA importers kept reps in the factories regularly, some did regular or occasional inspections, and some were likely paid off to aprove the import quality.

   Delta rated highest for the fact they kept a man right in the manufacturers plants all the time to oversee quality standards.

   Grizzly and Jet were second in line for fairly good quality control. Then came everyoine else, whose imports can be counted on to be disappointing. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   highfigh | Nov 18, 2004 06:04am | #7

   It may be a bit late for a reply, but I have a 1023S cabinet saw, 12" portable planer (definitely not a piece of junk) and a 6"x47" jointer. They all work very well and I do recommend their machines. I am going to buy a bandsaw and will probably get the G0555 14" with a riser block. Almost all of the most common brands are made in Taiwan or China now. The price largely depends on the tolerances and level of finish spec'd by the company selling them here. The performance absolutely depends on how diligently the setup is performed.I cut this piece four times and it's still too short.

3. 
   AugieFrise | Jul 17, 2004 06:24am | #3

   Have heard Grizzly tools are good value -anybody have any feedback?

   I have an 18 gauge brad nailer and a small bench top drill press, the two of which, together, cost me about $100 including shipping.  Given the low price I paid I'd say they are both fine tools. 

   I've read a lot of good things about their newer band saws and jointers, and a few good things about their newer table saws.  Their portable planer looks like a piece of junk, and I'd avoid it at all costs. 

   But speaking of planers, Lowes is closing out the Delta xx400 model.  (I can't remember the exact nomenclature at the moment, but it's the one with 400 in the model.)  I have this planer and love the little beast, which I got for what was then the paltry sum of $224.  (Amazon still wants $281 for it -- http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006K00S/qid=1090034460/br=1-18/ref=br_lf_hi_18//104-9863391-1783968?v=glance&s=hi&n=552846 ) 

   Anyhoo, Lowes is apparently closing out their stock at some ridiculous price like $169.  If you don't have a planer, that would be a very nice grab to make, IMHO.  Keep one thing in mind though.  The dust collector hood thingie costs about $15-$20 extra.