This machine combines a powerful motor with a superior segmented cutterhead that ensures good cuts, longer edge life, and easy maintenance. The benefits of this advanced cutterhead helped push this machine to the top (tied with the Jet JJP-12). I also preferred the Grizzly’s American-style cutterhead guard, which swings away to let push pads go by.

This machine does have some small quirks. To adjust the height of the jointer’s infeed table, you must turn a hard-to-reach, socket-head screw on the end of the adjustment handle before cranking. It’s tricky because the scale is on the opposite side of the machine and is difficult to read while cranking the handle. The fence was temperamental, too. It attaches through a bar at the end of the infeed table. It locks securely to the bar once set, but you need extra care to ensure the fence is seated properly. Otherwise, the angle between the fence and tables can be inaccurate. And it has to go on or off for each changeover.

Still, none of these quirks can detract from the high quality of this Grizzly’s cutterhead at a price that no other machine can beat.

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