I'm in the market for a jointer. I've been looking around at different ones, and I think I'd like to get one from Grizzly. From what I've read here on the wreck, it sounds like Grizzly makes pretty good stuff. I'd appreciate some feedback from anyone that's familar with the particulars I've outlined below. I do plan to ultimately call Grizzly about some of these questions. But I'd like to hear opinions, comments and any tips from folks that aren't receiving a paycheck from Grizzly. :)
o) I've got it narrowed down to two of Grizzly's 6" models. I originally thought about one of the 8" models, but it would take up too much space in my shop. Plus I already have a 12" planer, so this jointer will mostly be used for edge jointing, making rabbets and perhaps to face plane boards that are less that 6". In particular, I'm interested in the G1182ZHW[1] and the G1182ZXHW[2]. These two models can also been seen side-by-side on pages 32 and 33 of Grizzly's
2006 catalog. As best as I can tell, the two are identical, except for price and the G1182ZXHW having a magnetic switch. Can anyone verify that for me? And what is the benefit of a magenetic switch?o) From everything I've read here on the wreck and through other sources, it sounds like replacing the knives on a jointer is a tedious and fiddly job and one I would prefer to avoid. :) Both of the aforementioned models can be adapted with an optional feature called Dispoz-A-Blade[3]. I get that once this system is installed future knife changes are a simple affair (and relatively inexpensive at about $18). What I'm not clear on though is the installation of the blade holders themselves. Do those just bolt in or do they have to be fiddled with and adjusted (the first time) to get them properly lined up? Any idea if I can get them installed right from the git-go at the factory?
o) I don't live anywhere near one of Grizzly's warehouses, so I'll have to pay the $135 for truck freight. Other than appliances and furniture bought at local retail stores, I've never purchased anything this big. With the appliances and furniture, the drivers brought eveyrhing into the house, but that doesn't sound like what'll happen when the jointer arrives. From looking at Grizzly's policy about truck freight[4] they talk about how the driver making the delivery won't necessarily unload it. They make this suggestion though:
We recommend that you make arrangements with the trucking company to take delivery at the freight terminal if you can. They will load it on your vehicle.
That sounds like it would be the way to go for me. Has anyone had experience doing this? Is this something that I can count on being the case or does this vary from one trucking company to another?
Thanks for any light you can shed on these questions!
[1]: