Steel City 8" Jointer Help

[Bill Borchardt]

I'm still in the hunt for a 8" jointer and the usual suspects are on the list (Grizzly, Delta, Jet, & Shop Fox). I just looked on-line at Steel City jointers - they look like a good value given their features.

- 40620 (75" table; 5.5" x 48" fence; index-able knives (dispozall knives?)
- 40655 (77" granite table; 5.5" x 48" granite fence; index-able knives)
- 40660 (same as above but with a spiral cutterhead)

Highland Woodworking has the 40655 for $849 + shipping and the 40660 is $1049 + shipping. That seems to be a good price if they're any kind of a machine.

Anyone have any knowledge of these machines and could offer some insights/advice?

Thanks in advance . . .

Billbo
Smyrna, GA

[Robert Chapman]

Whatever brand you buy I would strongly suggest that you spend the extra money and get a spiral cutterhead. You will probably never have to replace any cutters and the smoothness of their cut cannot be beat especially if you work with figured hardwood - no tearout.

[glenn bradley]

+1 on the spiral head. I'll never go back. 40 inserts on the Grizzly and Byrd heads, 16 on the Steel City.