Replies

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Oct 02, 2002 08:40pm | #1

   Vetterbarn,

   Seems there was a discussion on routers not long ago that strayed onto the subject of shapers.  I think a 1.5 hp. is better than any router mounted on a table, but a 3 hp. is better due to heavier all-around construction and larger spindles.  Grizzly is a good as any.

   Jeff

2. 
   KurtAllen | Oct 03, 2002 12:41am | #2

   I've got the Grizzly 3 hp shaper and I love it.  I felt the 1.5 hp would be too small for my requirements, but that all depends on what you want to do with it.  Grizzly had the 3 hp on sale for $775 at the IWF ($50 less than I paid for it) and I think I sold three of them to passers-by while standing there.  Griz owes me a commision check!

   One of the problems with Grizzly is shipping.  Unless you pick it up you have to deal with the trucking companies.  My shaper looked fine until I unpacked it and the motor fell out of the bottom!  Evidently the pallet had been dropped hard enough while in transit to break the cast iron motor mount.  Grizzly had another one in my hands within 48 hours.  When I had everything back together the shaper proved to be dead flat and square and it'll hog out some serious wood.  I have also had good luck using the 1/2" collet adapter and 1/2" router bits (crank up the speed and go a little slower).  I don't pull out my router unless the job absolutely can't be done on the shaper.

   I will buy Grizzly again.  The chance to get some decent, heavy iron for a great price is too good to pass up.

   Kurt

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Oct 03, 2002 04:53pm | #3

   Kurt,

   I wouldn't call shipping a "Grizzly" problem.  I read a post where one poor guy had to get the Biesmeyer fence system on his new Unisaw replaced 3 times before he finally received one that was undamaged!  Amazon kept shipping them, and transit company just kept smashing them.  Too bad, but that's the world we live in.

   Jeff

1. 
   KurtAllen | Oct 03, 2002 05:45pm | #4

   Jeff,

   Actually the shipping issue IS a Grizzly problem.  Obviously they are not responsible for the shipping damage, but since Grizzly only has three (as far as I know) showrooms a customer has two options... drive to a Grizzly showroom or have the equipment shipped via truck.

   With just about any other manufacturer (Delta, Jet, General, etc.) I can find a local distributor.  I live in Atlanta so I am lucky to have access to several very good distributors - when I bought my Biesemeyer fence I was able to sort through several boxes until I found one I liked at Redmond & Sons.  I don't have that option with Grizzly.

   I still love Grizzly machinery and will buy from them again, but I would prefer to be able to avoid the shipping hassles.  Maybe they will eventually open more showrooms to address the issue.

   Kurt

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Oct 03, 2002 06:33pm | #5

   Kurt,

   I guess the way around shipping troubles is to buy Shop Fox - you've got Grizzly price and quality plus a local dealer.

   Gosh! If I found more then one boxed fence with problems, I would have looked for a different kind of fence. 

   Jeff

1. 
   KurtAllen | Oct 03, 2002 06:56pm | #6

   Jeff

   Redmond and Sons mainly sells used equipment.  You can find old Rockwell 12" saws and a lot of commercial heavy iron, bandsaws, lathes, etc.  I have a friend who collects '40's and 50's retro (bubble, aerodynamic-shapped) equipment.  He found an old drill press there that is one of the coolest looking pieces of equipment I've ever seen. Kinda looks like a '59 Caddy.  I love the place!

   They buy a lot of factory reconditioned equipment from the big manufacturers.  Last time I was there they had at least 50 Unisaws for $999 each.  Could be factory dent and scratch or remanufactured units.  They all looked good to me!  They also have a whole pile of Biesemeyer fences - all types - but you have to search to find the best one.  I ended up with a 50" commercial version that was perfect as far as I could tell ($212).

   They also have new stuff from Delta, Powermatic, etc.  I bought the new General 6" Jointer from them (has those 4" extensions on each end) recently.  If you are close to Atlanta it is really worth the trip.

   My kind of store - and no I don't work there.  Check out http://www.redmond-machinery.com/ They are about 5 miles from Six Flags.

   Kurt