I have been contemplating upgrading my 6" Delta 3/4 horsepower jointer. It has been a little champ, but is a little underpowered on face jointing. Plus the bed is only about 46", so long boards can be a challenge.
So, I researched jointers on the internet. I really liked the powermatic with the 66" bed. It was 1 horsepower, not much more than my 3/4, but the reviews from people were good. Just as I was about to decide to get one, they raised the price significantly, in the range of $1000. Still a 6" machine, so I thought that if I was going to spend $1000, maybe I should get an 8" jointer.
Well, to make a long story short, I got a sale paper from Grizzley today advertising the G-5086 8" jointer with a 75" bed (!!) for $595. And, it is a 2 horsepower machine. Made I think in Southeast Asia.
Anyone have any experience with this model jointer or other Grizzley jointers? That is such a good price. Or is it? I am just trying to benefit from the experiences of others ::).
I got a Grizzley 1018, and I love it. 8) For all particle purposes it's da same machine yer looking at.
I have (actually it's Pattys) the one the next step up with the spiral cutter head in it. It's a nice machine for the money. Not sure of your budget but give it a look, the spiral cutterhead is worth the extra money.
I have been debating the spiral cutterhead. I have heard some negative reports and some glowing ones. Not sure what to believe. Can you say more about your experience, Norm?
From my personal experience I'd never go back to straight blades. Some of the pluses are a much quieter machine, less vibration, smooth cuts, the wood feeds through the cutter head easier, and best of all no more trying to set the blades to the same height which is impossible. I know it does a better job than my old jointer especially on the q-sawn oaks. I hear the complaint about the lines on the wood run through them but to be honest my eyes aren't that good and you'll get rid of any that might be there with a final sanding.
I also have grizzly's 20" planer with the spiral head in it. On my old jet 15" you could barely hear yourself think even with good hearing protection. Even though you should I don't have to use any with the grizzly.
Come up to Iowa for a little vacation and I'll let you test run both. ;)
I just got, last week, the grzzly GO490. Grizzly has there spiral cutterheads on sale now, and you could buy either machine with the streight head and buy the spiral head seperate for the same price as buying the machine with the spiral head. That way you would have 2 heads. I have only used my 490 on a few boards, but it seems like a decent machine. I went with the 490 over the 586 because for $150 more, you get a larger base, built in mobile base, a 3HP motor vs a 2HP, parralelogram bed, and a taller and better fence.
Norm, Do you have the standard spiral cutter head or the Byrd Shelix head?
Quote from: Norm on May 26, 2007, 09:04:37 AM
Come up to Iowa for a little vacation and I'll let you test run both. ;)
Wow! An invite to Iowa! Thanks Norm. I will take you up on it ;D.
Mine came with grizzly's spiral head in it footer. I've heard Byrd's head is better but have never seen or run one.
WDH you can't tell me your company doesn't have some land up here that needs your attention or maybe some they're thinking of buying.
Oh btw bring gloves and a pick-up, I've got a whack of hard maple logs just waiting. We'll slice some up and send a load back with you.
Norm,
I have no hard maple, only soft maple :-\. A trip to look at potential timberland in Iowa sounds like just the ticket ;D.
I have a byrd head on my 10" Oliver jointer, and really like it. Only thing I did wrong was not getting a 12" jointer. Been looking at that new Grizzly. Liked the byrd head so well that, when Woodmaster announced their new helical head, I ordered it too. I really enjoy it on the planer. Quieter, can take off 1/8" at a time, only thing bad is I keep running the barrel over on the dust collector. Fill it in just a few minutes. Jim
WDH, not sure if you have bought a jointer yet or not? If you are in the $1,000 dollar range look at the new grizzly 12" . I have seen it advertised for $1595. I know it's more but you probably won't out grow a 12". I aquired a 12" Moak jointer for a song a few years ago to replace my 6" Delta. The 12" is VERY nice at times. An old adage I haerd years ago was you can do small things on a big machine but you can't do big things on a small machine. I also still have my 6" for edging and small stuff. I have tried to sell it but with the bigger jointer craze 6" jointers arn't worth anything. Almost impossible to get rid of. Mine is a Delta DJ15 which cost $900 when I bought it 15 years ago. I'm not going to give it away so I keep it right beside the tablesaw and it is nice having both even though I don't have room. I would love to put the Byrd helical heads in my planer and jointer but jsut not in the budget at this time. Cutterhead for planer alone is $3800! Haven't checked on one for the jointer. Good luck with whatever you get.
Woodhick,
That is sage advice. I am still debating........ :P.
WDH,
I just got my 5086 up and running. I have not done much with it yet, but I do like it. If you're ever down my way, feel free to stop in a take a look. Since my mill only provides 6" wide stock w/o double cutting, the 8" jointer seemed like it would be all I would need. The only other jointer I ever used was a 6" jounter with about a 4' bed. The 75" bed is NICE 8) I also have heard mixed reports on the helical heads, but it seems that more and more folks are speaking out in their favor. As for me, I figure that the straight blades have been around for a while and some mighty nice work has been turned out using them, so I'm sure they'll do for me.
Brdmkr,
I would love to come see it. Thanks for the invite.
Just drop me a PM.
WHD,
I have had that Jointer for just under a year. Very Very fine machine. I doubt you will be disappointed. Long bed is nice :)
I wished I would have just got the 10" instead. Also would like to try the spiral head cutter.
Max
Max, what would you do with the 10" that you could not do with the 8" besides face joint wider boards?
WHD,
Exactly that. Face jointing wider boards ;D
Only one way to make a S4S square board.... and that is to face joint, then edge joint then rip to width then plane to thickness.
Makes my jointer the most used tool in my shop. (I mostly take rough sawn lumber and turn it into square clear boards for resale..) Wished I could afford a 12" jointer..
max
I can see if you are planing boards for re-sale, that the wider the jointer, the better. I believe I will go for the Grizzly 5086 with the spiral cutterhead. Maybe a Christmas present (that I buy for myself ;D).
You can always squeeze an extra couple of inches out of a jointer by removing the blade guard and passing the board over the jointer, then cleaning up the area that wasn't cut with a hand plane. I have a 6" jointer and plenty of 8" boards, so I do it all the time.
WDH, I predict that you're gonna wish you had that Grizzly a couple years ago when you were jointing all of Jody's pecan paneling :D
I believe that no matter what width jointer we buy we will always want the next size up. We should have a jointer trade up day here on the forum where we can all just trade each other for the next size up. :D
OK, I'll start. I have a Jet 6". I will give mine to a guy with a 4" jointer if someone gives me their 8" jointer. See how it works? ;D
So true. So true........
Methinks the fellow with the 12" jointer is going to be mighty displeased when gets a 4" jointer in return :D. Unless someone around here has a jointer bigger than 12" ??? Knowing this crowd, I wouldn't be surprised!
The best thing about this method is the guy with the biggest jointer is the only one that has to buy a new one. :D
Well I have a 6" jointer, so I won't be the one who has to buy a new one. Let's get started! ;D
OK sounds good, help me find someone with a 10" or 12" they are willing to give me and I will give you my 8" :D :D.
DL,
Yes I use the hand plane to take off the lip on boards wider than the planer. Also take off the guard and make two passes some times.
max
QuoteOK sounds good, help me find someone with a 10" or 12" they are willing to give me and I will give you my 8" .
Now we're getting somewhere. 8)