New Jointer!!!

Jan 03, 2007 5 Replies
D

Went to the big tool store to have a look-see today. I've been wanting to upgrade the jointer and am really interested in a drum sander. Anyway, I've done some research, and had a good idea what I'm looking for in both. I've been drooling over the new Grizzly 12" jointer, but the reality is I'm laid off at the moment, so $ is a bit of an issue, plus I dunno if that big ass



12" jointer would fit in my shop very easily. The second choice was the Griz 0490 like this one:
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My local Big Iron store carries the Grizz equivalent in the ShopFox brand (W1741) so that is what came home with me today. Got her set up and running. Pretty smooth and impressive jointer so far. 3hp.(Yes, 3 horse power!!) , 4 knife cutterhead, loooong tables, heavy as @#&$, and under $800 including tax out the door. Funny thing though, while there I was really checking out a DJ20. The Shop Fox and DJ are, with the exception of some cosmetic stuff, identical although the DJ cost more than twice the Shop Fox. After asking a few questions to the cool old guy that works there, I learned that the DJ20, Grizz 0490 and the Shop Fox w1741 are all made in the same overseas factory. He said the only difference is the Grizz/shop fox have a
3hp. imported motor, and the DJ still uses an American made 1 1/2hp motor. He also went on to say that the Grizz/Shop fox models were originally supposed to have a 2 hp motor, but the manufacturer had made a mistake and shipped the first batch with 3 hp. motors. Grizz/Shop fox apparently told the manufacturer that they couldn't switch back to 2 hp motors now after selling some as 3hp, so they are all 3hp. now. Prolly overkill for an 8" jointer, but what the hey. Maybe I can switch the motor with the 1 1/2 hp on my Jet 18" BS. It needs the extra horses more than the jointer does. Anyway, I just got her set up and made a few test cuts and am pleased. The
4 knife cutterhead, makes smooooth cuts, but is somewhat of an oddball. Most replacement knives are sold in packs of 3. I suppose I'll have to get a Byrd cutterhead for it next :) In any case, I'll be starting a new project tomorrow and am looking forward to breaking this thing in. --dave

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J

snipped....

I think you'll like it. Mine has worked well out of the box with the only exception being the outfeed table was a little low causing snipe. Easily rectified, I've been using mine for about a year now. Helluva tool to put together by yourself however (very heavy!). Cheers, cc

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B

Congrats on your new tool, but I wouldn't advise switching the motors as you are thinking about.. I can't tell if you made that remark in jest or not.

I'm far from being the Bandsaw expert, but maybe you just need to feed the material slower on the Jet. 1.5 HP should be plenty if everything is lined up and the blade is sharp and you are feeding at a reasonable speed.

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G

Not to mention that single V belts aren't that capable of holding on against the torque of a 2 horse.

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S

Hi Dave,

Congrats on your new tool. I have been looking at that model myself. Can you tell what the advantage is of the parallelogram table system?

Thanks,

R> Went to the big tool store to have a look-see today. I've been wanting to

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