In my search to buy 8″ jointers, I have found that shopfox sells 2 reasonably priced 8″ jointer models. What struck me as odd, however, the cheaper of the two is 3hp (vs 2hp) has a longer bed, and is a parallelogram (vs 3 knife spiral cutter). The price difference is considerably different, nearly $500, which led me to wonder if there is something wrong with the jointer.Does any have any experience with Shop Fox machines? More specifically, with their jointer. Is there any reason not to buy their cheaper bigger 8″ jointer?
Any comments are welcomed! Thanks.
Replies
Hey Prof,
I've been researching jointers(and other machine types) and one thing I've noticed is when they put a spiral head or a shelix or any other fancy dodad like that on a machine, they make you dig deeper into your pocket for what might well be less of a machine than a standard "plain Jane" machine.
That's my two cents, Chris.
As I understand it, the parallelogram and the spiral cutters are two different things. It seems the parallelogram has some advantages over the dovetail ways, but if you get a spiral cutter head instead of the straight knife, you are going to pay a bunch more for what has quite a few advantages. I have the Powermatic PJ882 that uses the parallelogram adjustment but has straight knives. I may change out the straight knives for the spiral head in the future.
Edited 6/17/2007 10:35 pm ET by tinkerer2
Shop Fox machines are Grizzly machines with a different color paint job and usually little else different. If you go to the Grizzly catalog you will find both machines you are looking at, but in Grizzly paint, with both regular and spiral cutter heads, the prices will be better too.
John W.
Prices might be better, but when you add in shipping it was less expensive to buy the Shop Fox locally, saved about $50.00 Maybe it depends where you live.
Shipping costs can add considerably, but it wasn't clear from the original post whether the the Shop Fox tools were also going to have to be shipped. Also, Grizzly because of their size, gets great shipping rates, so they can usually ship for much less than smaller operations.
John W.
Howdy, i actually own the shop fox parallel bed jointer w/ straight knives. It is cheaper, and i assume b/c its easier to build, has less cast iron. It also has a 3 hp motor which is nice. I have a byrd shelix in my 20 powermatic planer which is very nice, but its easy to hone the jointer in place, and i can joint 100's if not 1000's of bd ft while moving the area i'm using on the knives before i need to rehone. Hence, no need for indexed head for me. The parallel bed is nice that the beds are adjustable w/o shimming, and dovetail beds can sag, bend whatnot out of square. You will notice that all the high end big jointers are now parallel bed design. Its the way to go. Also the additional length is wonderful difference. Really helps me with long heavy boards. No complaints, certainly the way to go as far as i'm concerned. Good luck.
Kelvin
John-I had actually found the shop fox machines listed on the web (not locally). The dealer is offering free shipping which make them less than Grizzly.-Tom
Thanks John. I never knew that. I've always wondered where Shop Fox 'popped up" from.Frosty
One thing I've wondered about is whether the Shop Fox/Grizzly jointer w/ dovetail ways is made in Taiwan? I know they are moving more of their production to China, and the Griz 0490/Shop Fox 1741 is Chinese made, which may account for some of the price difference. But that is purely speculation.
As others noted, the more expensive SF has the spiral cutterhead w/ carbide inserts which accounts for some of the price difference. I have the 1741 and it leaves a silky smooth finish w/ the 4-knife standard cutterhead. And it is dead flat.
JH
If you look at the Grizzly/Shop Fox specifications sheet on each power tool on the Grizzly website, the country of manufacture is listed.
A buddy of mine just bought the Shop Fox 8" parallelogram jointer, I helped him bring it home and unpack it. It's a beauty. The dealer told him that Shop Fox was introduced by Grizzly to be a little bit better fit and finish than Grizzly, and marketed to compete in the same manner that Powermatic and Jet relate to each other.
IMO, from what I've seen, comperable models of Grizzly and Shop Fox machines are the same machines most likely coming out of the same factories with different paint jobs. That's not to imply that Shop Fox is of better or less quality than Grizzly as I consider the fit and finish of Grizzly machines to be very high quality in most instances. If indeed Shop Fox is better, the difference is inconsequential. I believe the reality is it's all about branding. Happy woodworking, regardless of which brand machine you have it's an excellent machine....
Oh, by the way, to the person suggesting dove tailed design cast iron jointer tables bend, that's not true. Cast iron cracks/breaks under too much stress due to the metallurgical structure of the material....Regards....Jeff
Morning Jeff..
Both the Grizzly and Shopfox are coming from China and are the same machine with a different paint job as you suspected. I have had several different SF distributors suggest that the SF has a little better specs and finish, but that is a rouse on their part to off-set the lower price of the Grizzly.
The Grizzly is sold direct as they only have 3 main distribution points.. no distributors as middle men that get a cut of the action, etc. etc. Both are owned by the same gentleman who decided to offer his wares both direct (Grizzly) and on a local level (SF) for those that prefer the local touch.
The only difference in most of the machines is the paint and Grizzly carries a 1 year warranty and SF 2 year.
So.. pick your poison! ha.. ha...
Regards...
Sarge.. jt
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