The dust collection is almost completely installed (cyclone mounted outside with no filter View Image), electrical is in, and I am getting close to ordering a jointer. While I still scan craigslist and some used sources, my most likely is a Griz 0609X, however a Griz 0480 and an Oliver 4240 are not yet ruled out. I live in a remote area far from any dealers, and getting help to load and unload machines is difficult. So I am very gun shy of having shipping damage or quality issues that require re-crateing and returning the machine. While I realize there is always some chance of this I need to minimize it. The Oliver machines are uncrated when they come in from (Taiwan, China?), Baldor motor and Byrd head is installed and then the jointer is run, chked out, re-crated and shipped to customer. The result (they say) is extremely low — almost never — instances of quality issues when customer gets the jointer. The 10″ Oliver would be about $800 more than the 12″ Griz and for this I would get the Baldor motor, Byrd head, and less chance of a bad shipment I think. It would be worth something to me and I would pay extra if Griz would offer a USA check out of a machine prior to shipping to a customer –e.g. run it, inspect for obvious quality items, chk table flatness to spec, etc. So finally my questions: I read recent threads on another forum where someone got three (I believe) Griz jointers and had to return them all. Not sure if the customer was over critical or if the returns were justified (I assume they were if Griz accepted them.) Such a scenerio would be a disaster for me. Are there recent Griz jointer buyers and have you experienced good shipments, or have you had quality/shipment issues? And, any recent Oliver buyers out there and what was your experience? Thanks in advance, Ed
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I have the G609x and love it. It is an impressive piece of machinery. I will post a link to my review. It comes on a steel pallet and a plywood crate. I still have the steel pallet and stack my wood on it. I've got a lot of Griz and all have been fine. My TS was damaged on arival but that was the shippers fault not Grizzly. I rejected the shipment and they had another one to me in a few days. I have Their TS, BS, and Horizontal boring machine. Right now they have a great deal with free shipping. If you are delivering to your home you will need tailgate delivery. I rented an engine hoist to move it into place. It is a heavy sob. My Movers even picked it up and moved it from St. Louis to PA for me to my new home. They groaned with they saw it, but it made the trip in fine condition. Anyway thats my experiences.
http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=38959.1
If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
thanks for feedback, nice review. I looked at the manual Griz has online for the 0609 and it basically has nothing in it other than the parts breakdown -- hopefully that is an online quirk and the manual that comes with the jointer has some info in it like how to make some adjustments and a few basic usage instructions ?? I liked the packaging. I just bought a bandsaw that was shipped from Italy and it was very well packaged also -- took a lot of work to disassemble the crate even with the help of a sawzall. I think I will order the helix head as I read the instructions to put the Byrd head on and it takes a lot of dissassembly, pressing bearings on and off etc. -- more than I want to tackle at least. Thanks again, Ed
What adjustments are you looking to make? The Manual is 61 pages long and even includes directions on how to joint a board (which I thought was funny only if you've been doing it as longs as I have). Anyway have fun and enjoy the free shipping. I wish they'd had that when I ordered. Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Edsea, I have a grizzly jointer and we live in the remotes also. All the delivery trucks here have lifts and pallet jacks. It came well packaged and I am extremely pleased with it including the helix head. Good luck happy woodworking. Dave
Were do you live?
I was unloading my General 6 inch from the back of my truck, in the snow. It came back on me and I was pinned under it for about 5 minutes till my nieghbour came along and helped get it off me.
I live in Lake County CA and while I'm not right in a town we are not in a real remote area -- on paved roads and even have a few restaurants and golf courses (all the important stuff) within five miles or so. What I meant by remote was that the nearest wood working shops or machine dealers are either in Santa Rosa (1 1/2 hours) or Sacramento (2+ hours). I buy a lot of stuff from the internet and mail order. However when it comes to a 1/2 ton machine I would prefer to let a dealer make a profit and have it checked out and set up by the dealer. I do realize that is not the way things exist today for us to buy these machines. It is not unlike buying an American or Japanese car or motorcycle and having it delivered to you from the factory with no dealer involved -- dicey situation at best. I think Olivers operation (at least the way they explained the jointer plan to me) where they receive the shipment from China/Taiwan and then add some US content (cutters and motor in this case) and then check it out and reship to me is a nice option if you are willing to pay for it. I'm not sure how much it costs as there is a price differential between the Oliver and Griz to start with -- Grizzly's prices and business model are quite effiecient. I guess it gets down to hoping the Grizzly gets here in good shape (9X% percent chance I assume) or paying about $800 more to get a Baldor motor, Byrd cutters, on a smaller (10") jointer that has a higher probability of a defect free arrival. It is clearly not a big problem but is a decision that I struggle with. Thks for the insight and comments from all. Ed
Error Correction, I made an error in the price comparison in the last post between the Grizzly and Oliver jointers. Grizzly's G0480 10" jointer seems to be very similar to the Oliver 4240, the Oliver as described with the Baldor motor and Byrd cutter delivered to me (they both have free shipping at this time) will cost $800. more than the Grizzly. The price of the Oliver is $300 more than the Grizzly 12" G0609x. Both Grizzlys have their spiral cutters. Sorry for the confusion, the point is the same however. I would like to see Grizzly offer a US checkout of their products as a priced option for those of us that want to increase the probability of a defect free delivery. Of course shipment damage could still happen. Ed
Don't get caught up in the "Oliver" name. The current "Oliver" company just bought the name and they are banking on the success/reputation of the previous owners.
Griz is discontinuing the 10" model and they are practically giving them away. I've got one that I paid $2200 for... and I'd do it again in a heart-beat.
Do you have the G0480? It is listed as an "extreme" series product by Griz and as you mentioned is now on sale for $1795. with free shipping. Is seems to be a little heavier design (dovetail ways) than the popular G0609 12" which is now $2295. also with free shipping and both have Griz's spiral heads. I realize the Oliver is not related to the older better USA Olivers. My guess would be that the Oliver 4240 and the G0480 are from the same factory -- very similar specs and looks etc. How long have you had the G0480? You mentioned you really like it. Any comments on 10" vs 12"? This is my first jointer, I have used primarily an 8" in the past. Thanks for your response. Ed
Yes, I've had it for a couple of years now. I purchased it before the 12" came out. I must say, if the 12" was available, I would have purchased it. Don't get me wrong, I love the 10"... but the 12" was a few bucks cheaper when it came out. I assume because of the price of cast-iron... or maybe there is a difference in factories or something.
The jointer is built like a tank and the tables are completely perfect. At a $500 price difference, I'd do not see enough value in the 12" to justify the additional cost. Here is a pic.
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