Replies

1. 
   gb93433 | Oct 05, 2008 10:44pm | #1

   If the head can vibrate and move it has an opportunity to move while it is cutting.

2. 
   dbcabs | Oct 06, 2008 04:48pm | #2

   Don, I have had both fixed head Jet and Grizzley and a Delta 15" movable head.

   All are good machines. The downside to the Delta is that blade change over can be somewhat hard due to motor on top and raising head is a bit harder because of weight. As far as movement of head when planing causing chatter, I haven't had a problem.

   The up side to the Delta: 

   It comes with 2 -3' long lift up tables that support lumber with-out add. supports and if supports are used, they don't have to be readjusted for different thickness.

   Deltas speeds 16/30FPM, other Mfg. are16/20FPM. That 10 extra FPM is nice when working ruff sawn lumber.

   I've had both the Grizzle and Jet and am happy with the Delta.

   DavidW

1. 
   Don01 | Oct 06, 2008 08:45pm | #3

   Thanks David,I would go with the new spiral carbide heads for longer cutter life and I would think that having the motor mounted on the head would add some mass as long as the drive mechanism was carefully aligned and balanced.Don

3. 
   sleepydad | Oct 06, 2008 10:25pm | #4

   I have a 16" jet

   http://woodworking.jettools.com/Products.aspx?Part=708531&cat=333150

   I went to the trouble of putting a shelix http://www.byrdtool.com/

   head on it about 1.5 years ago.  big $$ but I use it a lot and it was totally worth it.

   Once adjusted it has been dead on and stayed that way.  No problems.  I would never own a straight blade tool again.

    

   I also put a journal head on my jointer. You still have to replace blades at times but it’s not very often.

    

    

1. 
   Don01 | Oct 06, 2008 10:36pm | #5

   There are 2 brands of cutter head upgrades. Any reason to pick the Byrd?Don

1. 
   sleepydad | Oct 06, 2008 10:52pm | #6

   at the time they were the only one. Pretty good reason.<!----><!----><!---->

   Byrd was the original I think.  I can vouch for their quality.  I have had good luck with their stuff.

2. 
   JMartinsky | Oct 07, 2008 01:06am | #7

   Dear Don,
   I put a Byrd in my jointer five years ago or more and they are dynamite. First of all they are in the US, Kentucky, I believe. When I had a question, I called the company who promptly me put me in touch with their service department....... that would be Mr. Byrd himself. He stayed on the phone a good 20 min or so. Another reason would be that the indexes (blades?) are scalloped a bit and skewed, making for a shearing or slicing action, instead of just smaller straight cuts. The indexes are carbide and never seem to wear and are bloody sharp as well. Byrd is more expensive, but in my opinion, WELL worth it.Best,John

1. 
   ctsjr | Oct 07, 2008 02:02am | #8

   JohnHow does it perform with highly figured woods, say tiger maple? Thanks. Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"

1. 
   JMartinsky | Oct 07, 2008 05:33am | #9

   Dear Tom,
   I haven't run Tiger Maple, but I have run Brazilian Cherry, Red & White Oak, Maple, Ipe and a variety of cedars and I have to say that it is most forgiving. My work is commercial and I am geared more towards production, but the Byrd cutter allows for some fairly aggressive work. I would think that in the right hands it would give you the best shot at a highly figured wood, short of sanding. It is certainly better than straight knives. Occasionally, I do get "tracks". Long, parallel marks, almost a burnishing. They can't be felt, but they can be seen. A light sand or a pass through the planer eliminates them.Best,John

   Edited 10/6/2008 10:44 pm ET by Jmartinsky

2. 
   ctsjr | Oct 07, 2008 05:38am | #10

   Thanks, John. I've never used a helix head cutter on a tool, but I'm certainly going to consider it for my next planer and jointer. Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"

4. 
   Jusight78 | Nov 21, 2019 04:40am | #11

   Thanks

5. 
   forrestb | Nov 26, 2019 08:16pm | #12

   Never had a 16” planer but I have had a 13” planer where the table moved (ShopSmith) and one where the head moved (DeWalt 735).

   When you have a long piece that needs external supports you have to adjust those external supports every time you raise the table. With a moveable head they stay the same.

   My vote is the latter.