Replies

1. 
   philip_r | Dec 28, 2007 01:08am | #1

   Hey, I'm in Denver too!

   Try searching Knots on this topic.  There are hundreds of posts on this same topic.  I have the Griz 10" jointer (G0480, I think) with the SC.  It rocks.  If price is not a concern, I would go with the Byrd... with that said, the Griz indexed SC does a fantastic job.  Either way, they are a serious upgrade to the traditional knife if you work with figured wood or do bent wood laminations (you don't have to sand before you joint!).

1. 
   shojiguy | Dec 28, 2007 01:14am | #2

   Thanks.  I had pretty much planned to go with Byrd but wanted to hear what others had to say. 

   My business URL is http://www.shojimore.com and I'm at 303-805-1278.  I have considerable Grizzly toolage including a G0527.

    

   Thanks for the info.

   John

2. 
   Wingdoctor | Dec 28, 2007 03:49pm | #3

   I have a Byrd head on a 15" planer. The cut cannot be beat and it is so much quieter too. It cuts figured wood very nicely, little or no tearout. I will always expect to be able to buy cutters from it as it is an American made product, Kentucky to be exact. Look at Byrd's web site for some useful info.  http://www.byrdtool.com/ I own some Grizzly tools also and have seen their cutter advertised but I will stick with the Byrd.

1. 
   shojiguy | Dec 28, 2007 05:06pm | #4

   Good morning Wingdoctor and thanks for the info.

   I have made the decision to buy the Byrd cutterhead.  They are available through Grizzly and on $30 off the 2008 price for a few days yet. Byrd has a good website and the testimonials are like yours.

   Thanks again, Shojiguy

3. 
   matt calnen | Dec 29, 2007 05:25am | #5

   At the small cabinet shop I work at, we have a woodmaster with the carbide inserts. Sinec we switched to it from the standard head(7 months ago), we haven't turned the inserts yet and they are still plane well. We used to change knives monthly at the latest. We figured the time we have saved on labor to change the knives, it will pay for it self in a year. Hope this helps. I was wondering what the life expectancy is on one of those byrd knives is?

1. 
   RickL | Jan 02, 2008 11:42pm | #6

   Carbide last 8-10 times longer than HSS, plus there are 4 edges. Knife changes are pretty quick on standard heads if you have the right gauges. On our Delta 24" planer I can change the 4 knives in 15 minutes with the supplied gauge. On our 20" RGA jointer, 4 knives, I can do in  a leisurely 20 minutes within .0005". I have a special dial indicator base.