Replies

1. 
   Rich14 | Nov 30, 2008 05:54pm | #1

   John,

   I've just received the Grizzly 0513X2 which is a 17" 3 hp machine. The 0636X is also 17" but 5 hp and is "beefier" all around.

   I haven't finished the wiring in my shop, so I can't describe the machine in action yet. But I am very pleased with the over all fit and finish of this beast. It is very well made, professional-feeling in every respect. Very sturdy and lots of attention to detail. The table is polished and all the controls are very well made and smooth.

   The blade guides are extremely robust. They don't mention in the catalog that it even has a lower wheel brush to keep saw dust from accumulating.

   The bigger machine should be a beauty.

   In a previous thread I was warned that the locking handle on the fence on my machine is a little awkwardly located under the work. It appears that the fence on the bigger machine is of a different (better) design with the handle to the left, out from under the work.

   My machine weighs slightly less than 400 lbs, but it was not too hard to muscle around with a hand truck into its position in the shop. It tips backwards onto the truck and is fairly stable in that position to wheel around.

   That's going to be VERY hard to do with the bigger machine, with the table installed, as the whole thing weighs about 650 lbs. Don't attach the table before moving it into place and there shouldn't be much of a problem. Otherwise, you'll need at least a pallet lifter, several helpers, if not a lifting crane to move it into place, fully assembled.

   I bought a Grizzly "Shop Fox" mobile base with my machine, but I haven't even unpacked it. After assembling a smaller version for my drill press, I gave up in frustration trying to use it as the "swiveling" casters don't swivel. They just lock up when trying to move the thing. Grizzly agreed to let me return them, admitting that the wheels don't do the job. They even admitted that the replacement wheels they have sent out to others who have complained, don't do the job.

   I thought I would need to have both the band saw and the drill press mobile in my set up, but I don't and they are in their permanent respective positions.

   My machine came in a very flimsy wood crate. It broke on the delivery truck. We couldn't rely on it at all when we tried to get the pallet lifter under it. I don't know what Grizzly was thinking in shipping a 400 lb piece of equipment in such a poorly-made open wood crate. The pallet wasn't even of standard size and the pallet lifter tangs couldn't get under it, between the pallet "joists."

   The machine must ship upright, and with a flimsy crate, that's a very awkward package to handle. We managed to get it onto the lift gate, but it almost tipped over and fell off in the process. In the end, no damage, but it took every bit of muscle from the delivery guy and me to save it.

   I would hope that they ship the 650 lb machine with better crating. THAT's serious unloading!

   As you can tell, I like my machine so far. I think these are very good pieces of equipment. Good luck!

   Rich