Nov. 15, 08 - 06:22PM
I have been shopping around for a jointer. I am looking toward a lower end 6" cabinet style machine. The Jet, Powermatic and Delta lines seem a little overpriced especially compared to what i can get for a Grizzly jointer. Any comments on Grizzly?
P.S. I will be attending the woodworking show in Chicago on Nov 21st. Are there good deals at the show?
Thanks in advance
Mike
Submitted: Smoothmf
Nov. 15, 08 - 07:59PM
Ridged 6" is great for us part timers. I have had my for 4 1/2 years and love it. I did wire it 220v, but it's not necessary. Home Depot has them. I don't know the current price, but it should be less than all those high end woodworking ones!
Jake
Submitted: Sawdustbyjake.Com
Dec. 12, 08 - 10:29AM
Hi, I have been looking at the one that harbor freight has for $299.99, some of their stuff is very questionable but it looks to be built well. Can anyone comment on this? Tom
Submitted: Okietom
I own a Jet, and have been happy with it, and I have been extremely impressed what I have seen of Grizzly jointers. I had a chance to use one of their 8" models, and thought that the quality, as well as fit and finish were exceptional. I would not hesitate to buy one of these.
I think you have a good chance of getting a great deal at the show. I bought my jointer that way, and other tools that way as well. What I would suggest is getting there as early as possible, and work out a deal right away, and pick it up at the end of the show. They might even throw in a new set of blades for you, even though the wear from the show will be minimal to say the least.
Regarding the Harbor Freight jointer, I would be cautious there. It depends on what you plan to use it for. If you will be using it only for face jointing boards to get a flat surface prior to planing, then this might be a suitable option. If you plan to use it for edge gluing boards, then I would stay away from it. Their jointer does not have a reputation for carrying the level of precision that you will want for this operation, and I have heard they are difficult to tune. Of all the power tools I own, the one that I place the most scrutiny on for precision is the jointer. What passes for "good enough" in many tools, does not cut it on a jointer. I would rather have no jointer than have a marginal one. In the absence of a jointer, you can use other means of edge jointing lumber, such as router table, hand plane, good table saw blade/fence, etc.
Good luck with the jointer purchase. You are going to love this, and you will use it even more than you think.
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