Happy with the Magnum cutterhead on a General Jointer?

[Susan Lamb]

http://marsonequipment.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Magnum-cutterhead.png This General Magnum cutterhead is the only helical option on the General 6" jointer. Is anyone using this cutterhead and, if so, are you satisfied with it? A salesperson has told us that changing knives/inserts on this cutterhead is much easier than on the Byrd cutterheads (image below).
We would appreciate hearing your opinion before we purchase a new jointer.
http://cdn0.grizzly.com/pics/jpeg500/h/h9218-41e6f305b36e4c38cc0e7c75bf36d778.jpg

[Barry W. Larson]

Hi Susan:
Can't comment on the Magnum head in a General Jointer, but I put one in a General 130 thickness planer. It works great, leaves a super finish even on knarly wood and is way less noisy than the original 3 knife cutter head. I also like that the design protects the unused cutting edges from the debris stream by having them inside the head. Changing inserts is easy and there is little chance of breaking them as they are not held in place by the screw head but are rather held by a wedge on a screw. They don't have to be specifically torqued either. I have thought about getting one for my 780 jointer but since I have a knife grinder it's not a priority on the jointer at this time. Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Barry W. Larson
Calgary, Alberta,
Canada eh!

[Susan Lamb]

Thank you Barry, that was a helpful reply. I'll take it to the group making the decision, today.

Susan Lamb