Opinions on Grizzly Tools

[Mike Pio]

I sure hope this post doesn't stir up controversy, but I'm curious about Grizzly's tools. Over the years, it's been my observation that Grizzly seems to sell equipment for considerably less than the competition. As one example, they sell an oscillating spindle sander for about $570 while a comparable Shop Fox sander is around $900 (I couldn't find many differences in the specs). As another example, Grizzly seems to sell some very inexpensive shaper cutters (as compared to Freud, for one). Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems Grizzly is consistently less in general.

I happen to own a lot of Delta tools, but that's mainly because I've stuck with what I know. Because I'm considering buying some Grizzly equipment and have absolutely no experience with them, I'd be curious to hear opinions from those of you who have owned/used equipment from both Grizzly and other manufacturers. If you could state of few pros and cons of Grizzly, I'd really appreciate it. If Grizzly tools are not as high quality as the competition, than I'd sooner spend the extra money on the better stuff. I'm open-minded though.

TIA

-Mike

[DJ Delorie]

Google is your friend here, but to summarize my opinion: Grizzly tools have good fundamentals (like cast iron) but skimp on the fit-n-finish. If you don't mind tweaking the tools a little (good woodworkers should do this regularly anyway, to keep things in tune) they're a great bargain. I've replaced a few handles and did a little filing on some tools, but the jointer was dead flat out of the box. Me, I have mostly Grizzly tools (saw, lathe, jointer, DC) but a few key tools I took no chances with (Dewalt scroll saw, Delta bandsaw) and a few were gotten on sale (Delta planer).

[James "Cubby" Culbertson]

I too have a few Grizzly tools. I have their 1023SL table saw and G0555 Bandsaw. Both have done an excellent job and needed no tweaking out of the box (even though I went through the entire setup process checking). I have found their customer service to be excellent and probably above par of that by some of the other companies out there. In saying that, I found their smaller tools (drills etc...) do not seem to have as good a quality. I wouldn't consider buying bits, etc... from them though. I also own some Jet stuff and to be honest, the Grizzly is every bit as good if not better in most respects. I don't own a single Delta tool so cannot compare to them. One area that Grizzly seems to get a bashing for on a regular basis is their shipping. My bandsaw arrived just fine with no issues. The Table Saw boxes had been beaten up pretty good with the forklifts but the saw itself was unscathed. Other's have not been so lucky. Cheers, cc

[shooter]

[RonB]

I have owned a Grizzly 1023S for about four years and have had absolutely no problems. When I started looking for my "retirement" cabinet saw five years ago I was predispositioned to the Unisaw. I had used 20 to 30 year old Unisaws and started looking for best price. On actually looking at a new machine in the store I decided to broaden my scope. The new saws are not what they were.

Final source came down to the Unisaw, the Jet cabinet saws and the 1023S. We took a trip to the Grizzly, Springfield store and got a top-notch demonstration -- on a two year old back-shop machine! Then the salesman showed us the new equipment. Grizzly customer services provided the names and phone numbers of two owners of similar equipment in my area. After talking to customers, I bought one. No need for product support so far.

My son in law owns one of the G-0500 Jointers, one of the big radial drill pressess and a big, floor-type surface planer. Other than sharpening, he has very little upkeep on the equipment. They are fine looking machines.

The main reason Griz is cheap is they sell direct to the customer. In effect, if you buy one of their products you are buying from the wholesaler (well, kinda). If you hang around here long enough you will find a lot of Grizzly users and a few detractors (True of any tool). Griz, like all also have some dogs. If you cannot get to a showroom use their customer referral service to get a good look at a tool.

RonB

[Duane Bozarth]

...

Well, they're really no different than Yorktown and others. The main reason they're cheap compared w/ Jet and similar tools from Delta, say is twofold--fit and finish and some "brand recognition". WRT to Powermatic commercial equipment compare weight. Actually, comparing weight is a good way to judge between most competing tools as a screening point.

[Chris]

A few Grizzly here as well. One thing worth mentioning again is their customer service. Top notch and one of the best in the industry (I feel it should be a model for others).

I had a friend that needed warranty work, no hassles, no grief, and they sent him a $50 gift certificate for his trouble. After dealing with so many sub-par customer service centers, he mentioned it was actually a pleasure to deal with and looked forward to something else going wrong.

I did have one minor problem with a machine. Spoke to a tech who knew the product like the back of his hand. Unlike other call-centers who read from a flow-chart (or even worse the overseas customer centers). This guy actually knew what he was talking about (and yes English was his first language to boot), and most likely was a hobbyist himself. I am not sure if it is training, or the guy actually was well versed on the machine. You could definitely tell that he had spent some time with the machine. As far as I could tell, he was not looking at a manual, but all from memory. Top-notch as far as I am concerned. For what it was worth, I remembered his name for reference, Gary, it was. Kudos to you Gary and this never ending out-sourcing call center world. The machine in question was a knee mill.

I have also called Grizzly on two occasions with pre-sales technical questions. Same experience as above. Try that with some of the other importers (I am sure there are some that I have not run into yet). I always think, if that are not willing / able to help ya before you buy, what will it be like after.

Chris

[Bill Waller]

Like those who have already responded to you query, I too have a shop full of Grizzly power tools.

The time had come about three years ago to replace things that had gotten old, very old. I started with the G1182HW jointer. The only problem that I encountered was setting the motor. Once that was done, the machine had worked very well. After that I got the G1023Z cabinet saw. As was mentioned, the carton was in terrible shape when it arrive, but the saw was just fine and I was able to set it up, including placing it on the mobile base by myself.

I also have their slow speed grinder, and G9976 Shop Fox mortiser that they market.

The only problem that I have run into with the 12 1/2" planer is that it was discontinued less than six months after I got it. I did luck out with their clearance last summer and was able to pick up three spare sets of blades for it at a very attractive price. I am still on my first set of knives, after many board feet of cherry and oak. The next test will be about 500 bd. ft. of ash that is just about ready to be run.

I have also purchase a number of mobile bases, again under the Shop Fox name that I really like for the heaver tools. I also have several machine stands, again, marketed under the Shop Fox name.

I guess I can safely say I like Grizzly.

Bill Waller New Eagle, PA

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[RonB]

I agree that weight is a good data-point. When I was jointer shopping a year ago I compared the long-table Powermatic 8" and the Grizzly G-0500. They are somewhat similar looking machines and come in at about 10 pounds from one-another. I actually ended up with the 6" Powermatic because it fit my shop a little better (The PM was about 50 pounds heavier than the 6" Griz but the PM table is 6" longer too).

Finish was one of the things that originally caused me to broaden my scope from the Unisaw mindset. As I previously mentioned I had used older Unisaws years ago. The table finish, side covers and hand cranks have suffered during recent years. The Griz 1023 series reminded me more of the old Unisaws than the new ones.

R>>

[HMFIC- 1369]

If it's something I really need I do my homework and get the best, but when there is something I don't "really " need but it's nice to have or play with. I already had a nailer but grizzly had one for 20 bucks, cheap but most certainly very usable, I use it for crap jobs but it works and works fine!

Actually I'm looking at the Grizzly slider Router tablem still doing my homework!

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[loutent]

Hi Mike,

I have their 1.5hp shaper (7+ years), their scroll saw (5+ years, but seldom used) and their 1023SL TS ( a replacement for a nice cast iron import from almost 17 years back). I got the TS around Jan 1st this year. My 'last saw'!? .It has improved my quality/enjoyment of woodworking too much to describe. I added a Forrest WWII blade and I swear I can cut anything straight and true with confidence and accuracy

- I'm talking 8/4 oak, 4/4 birdseye maple, veneer ply and even melamine. After unpacking and setting it up I did the "nickel" test. Stood a nickel on end on a wing, then started it up. Didn't flinch. I couldn't believe it either. 500 lb of cast iron does mean something!

I don't think that you can buy a better saw for around $1K than their

1023 series. I have raised a lot of panels using their shaper (not their bits tho). I have a Delta 14 inch BS that I got a good deal on, but if it wasn't for that, I would have gone Grizzly for that too.

You will not be disappointed with their stuff/service.

Lou

[Ron Truitt]

I've been really impressed with their 1023SL table saw.

I'm not crazy about an air compressor I got from them and I have not tried any of their small tools.

Good luck and enjoy equipping your shop.

RonT

[Gary A in KC]

I just received my G0526 jointer last night. Spent a couple of hours setting it up and I'm really impressed with it. This is the 6" jointer with their spiral head cutter on it. I wasn't too impressed with the setup manual - took a little guess work on a few things that weren't configured that the manual assumed has already been assembled (like the fence key). But overall was reasonably easy. Idiot that I am, I'd just read multiple comments on the board about loosening the motor mounts before putting the jointer on the stand - naturally I forgot to do that and spent some time cussing trying to get my hands where I could reach the bolts to loosen the motor. Overall fit and finish on the jointer was very good. Tables and fence appear to be dead on flat (sorry haven't done the feeler gauge test on them yet to look for variances across the table). Was easy to get everything square and running. First cuts were simply amazing. Tried it on some curly cherry, some figured mahogany and then some birdseye maple. Was fooling with depth adjustment and didn't realize it - I was hogging off almost 3/16" on the birdseye and it cut right through and left a PERFECT finish. Realize new blades should perform well but this was pretty impresssive. Count me as somone very satisfied with his first Grizzly purchase.

My 2 cents

Gary in KC

"Mike Pio" wrote in message news:FqlOe.2065$sw6.1844@fed1read05...

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