Replies

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Nov 30, 2002 03:35am | #1

   If you're looking for a tax write-off, this is your baby, otherwise their standard 8" jointer is a very good machine with proven reliability.

   Jeff

2. 
   jeffn7 | Dec 02, 2002 08:41pm | #2

   an 8" jointer for $1,900... I'd probably save a few extra $$ and go for a 12" for around $2,500.

3. 
   JeffKurtz | Dec 02, 2002 09:18pm | #3

   Can we rename this thread "only Jeff's need reply"?

   Jeff

1. 
   riverr1 | Dec 02, 2002 09:33pm | #4

   haha

   What purpose does an 900lb jointer serve? This is woodworking not metal working.

   Don

1. 
   DJK | Dec 02, 2002 10:25pm | #5

   Waaay too much money, still made in Asia. Paid $300 for my 16" Sidney. The tables alone weigh 537 lbs. and the bare cutter head 193 lbs. Look around for a used machine. Old jointers are cheap.

   Dave Koury

2. 
   JeffKurtz | Dec 03, 2002 02:39am | #7

   A paper weight, Don, one helluva paper weight.  I would assume the Big Grizz is meant to be an industrial machine that runs 40+ hours/week.  Under those conditions, even the slightest vibration becomes magnified and leads to problems with the machine and product.

   BTW, what happened to the pictures of your new shop?

   Jeff

1. 
   riverr1 | Dec 03, 2002 02:45am | #8

   Jeff,

   Just go power to it on Wed. night. Long story having to do with 3 meters on the property and Edison saying I already had power. Again, long, long story, with lots of anger thrown in.

   The shop is only part of the property, but I am doing the renovation of the entire 160 year old property for Walls and Ceilings. I have started posting pics of the job on a yahoo site for some compatriots. Nothing of the shop yet, but if you would like the link, be glad to send it to you.

   Don

   PS...From what I have seen of Griz machines, I can't imagine them going for production machines. They're not bad machines for what they are, but their castings are definetely inferior to whatwho they are trying to compete with. Delta, PM, General, etc.

   Edited 12/2/2002 6:48:25 PM ET by Don C.

1. 
   DonaldCBrown | Dec 03, 2002 03:19am | #9

   but their castings are definetely inferior to whatwho they are trying to compete with. Delta, PM, General, etc.

   Don-

   Please educate me. In what way(s) are their castings (all of them?) definitely inferior? I know zip about metalurgy and processing cast iron. What tests do you do to determine which ones are superior?

2. 
   riverr1 | Dec 03, 2002 07:47am | #11

   Don,

   I haven't seen many grises, but what I have seen, I though the castings were overly pitted. Especially obvious where they are not machined. Most castings are rough from the sand, these were rough from more then the sand. I believe all you need to do is take a inexpensive stereoscope to the machined areas and compare with a better machine to see the difference. I can't verify this, but I have also read that some of these castings all come out of the same factories overseas, and what goes where depends on the quality of the casting. This is a totally unreference example for an example sake. If a casting doesn't meet Jet's quality standards, it goes to griz, or some other company. I also don't know the specifics of this, but I think a solid casting is more important to vibrations rather then compensating with weight. That's a guess. I don't know.

   Don

3. 
   DonaldCBrown | Dec 03, 2002 03:21pm | #12

   Don-

   Thanks for the info. I have a couple of Grizzley machines that work fine for me, but that is light to moderate use. I wonder what about castings affects performance in an industrial setting, which was the subject of your original observation.

4. 
   JeffKurtz | Dec 03, 2002 05:01pm | #13

   Don,

   I'd be interested in seeing that.

   Check out their website, and you'll see Grizzly now has a lot of industrial/pro machinery, planers, sanders, etc.  I would assume they deal with different suppliers so the quality may vary due to that.  A lot of folks say their newer equipment is much better than the older stuff.  I know the newer machines and their Shop Fox line that I've seen have been impressive.

   Jeff

5. 
   riverr1 | Dec 03, 2002 07:50pm | #14

   Jeff,

   Yea, I probably spoke to soon, and on old info. The first griz. tablesaw I saw was in 84 or 85. The top was bad. There were pits in the top you could put marbles into. The bottom was even worse. The edges were never fully cleand up, even for the extensions. As a table saw, it seemed fine. I think this is why PM polishes up their saw tops the way they do. It takes a quality casting to be able to do that and that is their way of demonstrating the quality of their castings.

   I don't think I've seen a griz that is less then 5 years old. There is what appears to me to be a strong quality battle among manufacturers, so I don't doubt the quality is coming up.

   I still can't figure out a 900lb jointer though. I don't see griz as a production machine, 24/7. And many machines that are don't come close to that weight.

   Don

   Edited 12/3/2002 11:52:30 AM ET by Don C.

6. 
   JeffKurtz | Dec 03, 2002 08:46pm | #15

   Don,

   Here's the link to their biggest jointer - a 16" 1700 pounder!

   http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.cfm?ItemNumber=G9953ZX&&User_ID=2837898&St=6104&St2=-46240994&St3=76510636&DS_ID=1

   Now there's one big paper weight.

   Jeff

   Edited 12/3/2002 12:47:51 PM ET by Jeff K

7. 
   riverr1 | Dec 03, 2002 09:17pm | #16

   Jeff,

   I was amazed when I read this! Did a little searching, and PM's 16 inch jointer which comes with a 7 1/2 hp motor (griz 3hp, 26 amp) is less then 1300 lbs. It seems as though they are building the machines for 20' hunks of 2x8 crs. ;-)

   Don

4. 
   floman47 | Dec 03, 2002 12:12am | #6

   Jeff

   I'm a Jeff so I guess I should chime in.  $1900 for an 8" way to much!  Get a used 16" or 20".  A jointer is is one of a few tools I would buy used.

   I bought a slightly used (maybe 2 boards) Delta DJ20 8" for $1000 with a mobil base. It sells for $1400 plus the base is $100.  It's a good machine but I will replace it with 20" ASAP

   Jeff in so cal

   73 f---39%

1. 
   eling98 | Dec 03, 2002 05:11am | #10

   Hey jeff, hope its OK to jump in, being an Eric and all. When are you thinking of selling your 8" Delta DJ20 jointer? anytime soon? why do you want to move up to the 20"? how old is the 8"? what will you be asking for it if your selling?

   Eric in L.A., CA

1. 
   floman47 | Dec 04, 2002 03:08am | #17

   Hi Eric

   I'm saving  money for a new band saw first.  The jointer is forth on my list of tools to upgrade, so don't hold your breath.

    why do you want to move up to the 20"?

   I use wider material than 8".  Most of the time I buy s3s but sometimes I need flat wood, so I buy rough sawn and have to pay someone else to mill it for me.

   Jeff in so cal72 f---50% and clear