Replies

1. 
   philip_r | Nov 04, 2009 07:44pm | #1

   I couldn't tell you anything about SC... but I own a Griz 10"jointer and 15" planer.  Both have the spiral cutters.  Without question, I would purchase them again.

   IMHO, they make a great machine at one of the best values in WW.

2. 
   Eef | Nov 05, 2009 12:17am | #2

   hi seth,

   in 1989 i bought the grizzly 3hp shaper. i have used a 3 hp delta and a similar old davis and wells. trained on some very scary american made monster machines. pound for pound and set up for set up, the grizz has performed equally well. for cabinet work the 3 hp has been powerful enough.
   eef

3. 
   woodchuckc | Nov 05, 2009 05:37pm | #3

   This won't be much help, but I bought a Steel City 3 HP shaper (titanium top) a couple of weeks ago. I haven't had time to finish setting it up yet so I haven't made any cuts with it, but I have been impressed with the machine so far - it is very well built, fit and finish is excellent, and seems to be well engineered. I think I will really like the fence set up, as it is very robust and well built. I got the small 3-roller power feeder with it, and it also looks like it is well engineered. Both the shaper and feeder are very heavy (the shaper is about 400 lbs, and the power feeder is about 75-80 lbs), so whichever one you get be prepared to have some assistance in moving it around. I will be putting some locking casters under the base in order to move it around my shop easily.

   IMO, you won't go wrong with the Steel City shaper, but I am sure that the Grizzly shaper is a good machine as well. I bought mine directly from Jim Box (I live a little ways from Murfreesboro, TN) and got an excellent deal on it. Both he and his brother are truly quality people.

1. 
   katiedobe | Nov 05, 2009 07:04pm | #4

   I think that at this point the issue should be price and if you want to buy american.

   They are both about equal.  Grizzley has been around longer and is a good company to deal with.  They stand behind their machines.

   I am impressed with Steel City fit and finish everytime I look at it.

    

1. 
   woodchuckc | Nov 06, 2009 08:05pm | #6

   The buying American is a moot point - the Steel City shaper is made in Tiawan, the Grizzly in China.

4. 
   brownman | Nov 05, 2009 08:08pm | #5

   I've been using a Grizzly 18" wide belt sander for several years now and it's been flawless. I use it to sand all my face frame stiles and rails before I assemble them. I've found this machine easy to adjust when needed, which is rare. I had problems in the beginning keeping the belt from coming off the roller,until I discovered the cause. The secret was to make sure you have enough suction on your dust collection to keep the electronic eye, that regulates the back and forth motion of the belt, from clouding over. Once I figured this out I've had zero problems.The digital electronic thickness gauge on these units are very accurate and easy to use.I purchased this at the Vegas wood show in 2005 and was reluctant because I didn't know anyone who owned one and as I was looking it over, some one came by that was using a larger one in his shop said that they really liked theirs, so I purchased and have not regretted it.