Replies

1. 
   stpatrick | Dec 11, 2008 07:12pm | #1

   just a thought; i read all the posts and got an 8" General rather than a 6', but now wish i had a 12" or wider . . . . . i am just a weekend wood fondler, and the 8 is ususally okay, but there have been sufficient times that wider would have made it easier and more efficient . . . unfortunately, cost goes up as you get wider . . . like most other things in life.

2. 
   ring | Dec 11, 2008 07:39pm | #2

   Pat,

   Like yourself I can't say that I have any complaints about conventional cutters. But having first-hand experience with the spiral (and replaceable) blades, I'd say that I wouldn't buy a new machine today, joiner or planer, that wasn't equipped with them. Quiet, no more sharpening, and any nick in the blade can be fixed "locally" in a minute. Don't throw out what you've already got, but don't invest in outdated technology.

   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

3. 
   forestgirl | Dec 11, 2008 07:40pm | #3

   "Are they [spiral knives] really worth the extra investment?"  Depends on how much you lovvvve changing knives, and maybe how much figured wood you work with.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
4. 
   terrylee86 | Dec 11, 2008 07:56pm | #4

   Are they worth the cost? Yes they are! I went from an 8" Delta DJ-20, which ended up getting retrofitted with a Byrd spiral cutterhead, and a Powermatic 100 12" to a Bridgewood 12" spiral head and a Bridgewood 20" spiral head planer and I cannot believe the difference. I have owned both new machines for five years and just changed the cutting surface for the first time(have 2 more). Changing the knives was a breeze compared to my 30 years of changing conventional knives. I also have the scars to prove it. I can use the machines without hearing protection(don't think about it) and can plane figured walnut crotch without tear out. I wish I would have bought them 20 years ago. If you can't afford spiral heads, save until you can. They are that much better.

5. 
   bones | Dec 11, 2008 08:21pm | #5

   I purchased a Jointer last year and went through all the thought process you must be going right now.  What is the right size 8" or larger? Dovetail design .vs. Parallogram.  HSS knives or spiral cutterheads.   Ultimately I went with the g609 with HSS knives.  For the following reasons. 

   • I maxed the jointer width with the budget I had $1,500.00. 
   •  I could have went with the 8" dovetail with spiral.  I decided to max the width because I spoke with a lot of folks and the common thread was you will never say darn I have too big a jointer. 
   • The price break for the 12" with spiral was the same if I got the jointer with HSS and later upgraded to the byrd head.  I figured use it till the knives are shot and ready to sharpen and replace the head.  Cost would be the same.
   • I wanted the parallel style for the multipoint adjustment .vs. shimming. 
   • Grizzly has good stuff.

   I've had it for a while now and love it.  It is really sweet to put that big wide board up on it and take it flat and see the whole board.  Many times, I have noticed paticularly nice grain patterns that I would have cut through with my old 6" jointer to cut it down to make it fit.  Its heavy but great.  The 8" will be fine, but I'm so glad I went for the 12".  Take care and I included a link to my review.  Enjoy the new toy what ever you get. 

    

   http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=38959.1

   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.
   
6. 
   philip_r | Dec 12, 2008 02:20am | #6

   I have the Griz 10" with the SC.  The SC is an improvement in every way. 

    

   Upgraded from a Jet 6".  I never had a problem changing knives.  With the right tools, it just takes a few minutes.  However, over the life of the tool, the SC will save you hundreds of dollars in sharpening costs. 

   just try to find someone that has a SC and wants to go back :0)

7. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 12, 2008 03:09pm | #7

   Are they really worth the extra investment

   I do not have a spiral cutter but sometimes I wish I had one..

   I would think replacing one chunk of metal or turning it around for a new surface as advantages!

   I would think it all depends on how much cash you have to spend on 'our' woodworking toys and how much you use it.

   If I had something better than my old 6 inch (works well for me) I WOULD get the spiral cutters.

   Not woodworking but have used metal working machines with replaceable cutters.

   Not like the common old type tool made in one hunk.. But sort of like a spiral cutter.. Each profile change was a different tool. All done in one pass.

    

8. 
   noviceneil | Dec 12, 2008 06:02pm | #8

   I bought an 8" Grizzly jointer about three years ago and have used it alot...a 10" or larger would occasionally be nice when I've had to joint larger boards but I just get out my hand planes....last year at woodworking school I had a chance to joint with spiral head cutters and they were alot quieter and there was no tearout...I ordered SC from Grizzlyand it was a huge pain trying to replace the regular cutters...SO, based on my experience I would definitely recommend the 8" jointer but if it's in your budget, get the spiral head cutters...you won't regret it.

   Neil