Replies

1. 
   _mj_ | Apr 04, 2020 08:30pm | #1

   I have a 12" helical JP from CWW and I love it. What are your Qs?

2. 
   ekheerdt | Apr 04, 2020 08:40pm | #2

   Looking for the pros and cons of these machines, preferably from people who have been using one for several years.

3. 
   _mj_ | Apr 04, 2020 09:24pm | #3

   Primaries:
   Pros: 12" jointer. Cons: relatively short in&outfeed tables.

   My machine leaves a nice finish and NO snipe. Feeding the jointer and planer are from opposite sides, so either a ton of space or the ability to move it easily is key.

   I bought a sawstop hydraulic mobile base and had it cut and welded to fit the JP, problem solved. Even though my shop is small, the machine is so easy to pull out and use that I don't hesitate. I can and do spin it in place to switch from J to P.

   Get the helical head, you'll not regret it. Did I mention that you get a TWELVE INCH JOINTER?

4. 
   tom_minehart | Apr 05, 2020 09:22am | #4

   MJ ... showing my ignorance ... who or what is "CWW"? Many thanks.

5. 
   user-6869681 | Apr 05, 2020 12:40pm | #5

   I replaced a wonderful Powermatic 6–inch joiner (66-inch bed) and separate bench top planner with a Grizzly 12-inch J/P combo. I had doubts about giving up a accurate joiner that served me well for years. I’ve used my new combo for 4 months and made a good bit of furniture with it. I’m glad I made the change. It’s heavy; moving it in took planning. Pretty accurate out of the box, but it benefited from slight adjustments. It’s much quieter than knived machines. The 12 joiner capacity is Great! The 59 inch bed (vs 66) has not been an issue. I’m milling smooth flat, uniform boards with virtually no snipe and very little tear out. Change over is not the hindrance I thought it might be. It’s quick. But even with planning you do spend time switching. But again- I’m glad I made the change. It’s a great milling machine in a 600 sqft shop.

6. 
   _mj_ | Apr 05, 2020 09:42pm | #6

   Canadian Woodworking. Got mine right before the "trade war".

7. 
   rob_ss | Apr 06, 2020 02:14am | #7

   I have an 8 inch combo machine.
   The downsides are that when using the thicknesser, you have the big jointer tables up in the air.
   My DeWalt is also finicky for adjustment - it will take about 2 hours to get the tables co-planar if they have gone out of alignment and the blade changes are a pain.
   Biggest problem is that the motor capacitor blew 2 weeks before lockdown and it will be at least 6 weeks before the repair shop will be able to fix it. The combo machine means I have neither a jointer nor a planer....

   I have been considering a helical machine too and if I had USD 5000 to spend, would buy the Hammer 12 inch combo machine.
   For all I whine about the DeWalt, it has been a great workhorse in my shop and I miss it terribly now it is broken.
   I'd buy the combo you suggest and enjoy it.

8. 
   mdorsam | Apr 21, 2020 11:10am | #8

   I invested in a Felder AD951... perhaps one of the best j/p on the market (short of the Martin, certainly, and probably within in the Minimax league). While there are dis-advantages to these, relative to dedicated machines... and it is easy to highlight them, they are an excellent compromise, if your shop or budget requires it. I needed more infeed/outfeed capability than my DW735 provided, and my 6" Powermatic no longer was wide enough for my needs. Rather than upgrade each individually, I upgraded both, by a large margin, with the Felder, within an acceptable footprint (my j/p is a full 20" wide, so it dwarfs the Powermatic 6" footprint.
   Functionally, it takes some planning to minimize change-over... which takes no longer than 5 minutes, including re-routing my flexible dust collection hose.
   I can't speak to the Grizzly version; though, I strongly recommend a carbide-tipped, segmented helical cutter. While the Felder costs a small fortune, buy the best you can, and don't fret the conversion process.