I am thinking of upgrading my 12 inch portable Grizzly planer, which produces a fair amount of snipe. I was looking at the Grizzly catalogue, and they offer a spiral cutterhead on the 15 inch planers which consists of many small square blades, each of which can be rotated to expose 4 cutting surfaces, before sharpening is needed. (instead of a 15 inch long knife) Does an anyone have any experience with this type of cutterhead? The company charges about $75 extra for this as an option. I don’t know if other brands offer it. I know there have been discussions before reagrding planer recommendations, but if anyone has any suggestions based on recent experience I would appreciate it.
Part 2: I understand the larger planers have steel infeed rollers which are grooved, and leave indentations on the wood. I would think these should get planed out, and should be a non-issue, but have heard comments about this as being a negative. The smaller portble planers have rubber infeed rollers. Any comments?
Thanks a lot.
Jay
Replies
Jay,I have bought two machines from Griz.& been thru two planners,Craftsman & Delta,of which I will add to my "Never buy again list" and will add Grizzly as well. Just buy the best you can afford,my next buy will be Powermatic,which I hope stays as good as it is now. Later .Rick
I have a Grizzly cabinet type table saw and 16 inch band saw, both of which I have been very pleased with. The fence on the table saw is dead parallel to the blade and has no sop in it, and has needed no adjustment since initial setup. I have also have had one of their lathes, which I upgraded to a MUCH more expensive General. The larger lathe has a variable electronic speed control and is quiter, but basically performs the same functions, and may not have been worth the added money.
First of all are you certain about the price difference? Looking in their catalogue they don't show that as an upgrade on the 15" planers. On all the machines that they do offer it adds at least $600. If it only adds $75 it seems too good to be true. I do not have a spiral head but intend to get one. From what I hear it is much better in all respects. I have heard from users that it is not much faster to change the inserts than to change knifes. There are a LOT of those inserts.
As for the rollers, if they are adjusted correctly there will be no marks on the lumber.
Mike
Mike,
I misplaced the catalogue, and am not sure of the price difference. It could be more. More importantly, what do you see as the advantages of a Powermatic or other brand over the Grizzly. Their "Z-series" (At $995. ) has features which are present only on more expensive models eg. magnetic switch and enclosed motor within a closed base, a side mounted handwheel and rollers on the top to pass boards across, a 3 hp motor etc... They actually have a 3 hp 15 inch planer with an enclosed base for $750. I'm not endorsing them, just asking for a specific basis for your advice to buy elsewhere at a higher price. Thanks a lot.
Jay
Jay,
I don't own any Green Machines. Ive used a few and have heard a lot of feed back on forums and in the Mags. Sounds like their lower end stuff reflects the price, cheeper. Their higher end stuff (like the z series stuff) is a great deal. Having said that I've not heard anyone complain about their contractor saw or cabinet saw. If you want feedback about the brand in general you should make another post. I'd be curious as well.
Mikeplease excuse my spelling.
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