Anybody see the new Grizzly Planer/Jointer Combo Machine?

[Stew Hagerty]

I just saw this, I'm not sure how long it has been out. It's an interesting twist on the combo machine idea. It certainly is a good price point, but I do wish it was an 8" jointer though.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Combination-Jointer-Planer-with-Fixed-Tables/G0809?utm_campaign=zPage&utm_source=grizzly.com

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(http://www.grizzly.com/products/Combination-Jointer-Planer-with-Fixed-Tables/G0809?utm_campaign=zPage&utm_source=grizzly.com)

[Robin Frierson]

I saw that also. Makita used to make a side by side, model 2030N and it was well reviewed. Hitachi made one too. But like you said, it would be nice with a larger jointer. One of the advantages of those over and under combos is the large jointer they offer.

[Stew Hagerty]

I saw that also. Makita used to make a side by side, model 2030N and it was well reviewed. Hitachi made one too. But like you said, it would be nice with a larger jointer. One of the advantages of those over and under combos is the large jointer they offer.


Yeah, large jointer, but time consuming to change over and difficult to keep adjusted.

[Van Huskey]

When it came out in the 2017 catalog it was priced at $2995, the current price is much more likely to generate some sales but the width of the jointer is likely a deal breaker for many.

[John Lanciani]

Yeah, large jointer, but time consuming to change over and difficult to keep adjusted.

Not really. I have a 16" Rojek J/P; changeover is under 1 minute and I've had to adjust the tables exactly twice in ten years.

[Van Huskey]

Not really. I have a 16" Rojek J/P; changeover is under 1 minute and I've had to adjust the tables exactly twice in ten years.

The adjustments have always been a non-issue to me, the quality ones have no issues with that at all. My only nit is that some times I run the jointer and planer at the same time in my work flow. IMO combos are useful when you have a space and/or budget issue otherwise they are a compromise that said I would much rather have a 12" combo than this machine, a 6" jointer is just too small for most people and the beds are very short on this one too.

[Mark Carlson]

Not sure I get why this thing exists. 13in planer and 6in jointer side by side thingy. Doesnt share the same head, its basically a 6in jointer bolted onto a planer that shares the same motor. Maybe I'm missing the purpose.

[Van Huskey]

Not sure I get why this thing exists. 13in planer and 6in jointer side by side thingy. Doesnt share the same head, its basically a 6in jointer bolted onto a planer that shares the same motor. Maybe I'm missing the purpose.

I think it is for the people who have been looking for a Japanese version for years and can't find a good one... In the end I don't get it either.

[Jim Becker]

Yeah, large jointer, but time consuming to change over and difficult to keep adjusted.

"Changeover Time" and "adjustment" are both somewhat a myth, Stew. J/P combo change over can be measured in seconds up to about a minute or so. The quality tools don't have alignment issues, either.

As to the one pictured, I personally wouldn't find that useful because it will not handle face jointing wider boards and I almost never use the jointer on my J/P for edges because of having a slider for straight line ripping that's glue ready. But that's me... ;)

[Art Mann]

I used to have separate machines and now I have a combination machine. It really isn't that much effort to change over as Jim said. I do plan my work a little better nowadays to minimize changeovers. Swapping back and forth between two machines isn't a very efficient work flow anyway.

I don't see how the machine in the original post would be appealing to many people. There is too much of a capacity limitation for me.

[Sean Troy]

Yeah, large jointer, but time consuming to change over and difficult to keep adjusted.

My hammer 12 " combo machine takes less than 30 seconds at most to change over and no adjusting. Not sure what machine you are referring to ?

[Ben Rivel]

Ha well thats an interesting idea. Too bad it wasnt an 8" jointer. Not gonna talk me out of saving for the Hammer A3-31 though!

[Curt Harms]

My hammer 12 " combo machine takes less than 30 seconds at most to change over and no adjusting. Not sure what machine you are referring to ?

Agreed. It does help to have a repeatable Digital Read Out on the planer bed though so if you need to dial in a depth setting on the planer, it's quick and easy to do. Scales & pointers don't cut it for me. And yeah, the jointer function on the Griz machines seems like a waste. Especially for those of use that buy rough and face joint.

[Rod Sheridan]

Yeah, large jointer, but time consuming to change over and difficult to keep adjusted.

Stew, I own an A3-31 and haven't adjusted it in 10 years.

It sure is nice to have a wide jointer................Regards, Rod.

[Stew Hagerty]

My hammer 12 " combo machine takes less than 30 seconds at most to change over and no adjusting. Not sure what machine you are referring to ?


Ha well that's an interesting idea. Too bad it wasn't an 8" jointer. Not gonna talk me out of saving for the Hammer A3-31 though!


Agreed. It does help to have a repeatable Digital Read Out on the planer bed though so if you need to dial in a depth setting on the planer, it's quick and easy to do. Scales & pointers don't cut it for me. And yeah, the jointer function on the Griz machines seems like a waste. Especially for those of use that buy rough and face joint.


Stew, I own an A3-31 and haven't adjusted it in 10 years.

It sure is nice to have a wide jointer................Regards, Rod.

Here's the thing. I'm a disabled hobbyist on a fixed income. An A3 with spiral cutterhead is $5000. The combo machines I'm comparing it to would be the G0634KP or Z, and they run $2500-2700. I thought they had some definite problems. Or am I wrong?

See, I currently have a DW735 planer and a Stanley #8 Jointer. I'm thinking that a Combo machine would fit in pretty much the same location in my fairly crowded Shop. Well, crowded for someone who needs wheelchair space and can't really move heavy tools around all that easily.

[Stew Hagerty]

Agreed. It does help to have a repeatable Digital Read Out on the planer bed though so if you need to dial in a depth setting on the planer, it's quick and easy to do. Scales & pointers don't cut it for me. And yeah, the jointer function on the Griz machines seems like a waste. Especially for those of use that buy rough and face joint.



I currently have the Wixey digital readout on my DeWalt and don't know how I lived without it. I wonder it it could be added to a Combo machine?

[Art Mann]

. . . I wonder it it could be added to a Combo machine?

Of course. I have a Wixey WR550 retrofitted to mine and it works well.

[Will Boulware]

See, I currently have a DW735 planer and a Stanley #8 Jointer. I'm thinking that a Combo machine would fit in pretty much the same location in my fairly crowded Shop. Well, crowded for someone who needs wheelchair space and can't really move heavy tools around all that easily.

Nothing like a good #8! I'd keep what you've got or find a way to stick an 8" jointer against a wall somewhere. If cost is an issue, a used jointer can be had for way less than that thing and will get you a lot further down the road.

[Stew Hagerty]

Nothing like a good #8! I'd keep what you've got or find a way to stick an 8" jointer against a wall somewhere. If cost is an issue, a used jointer can be had for way less than that thing and will get you a lot further down the road.


Yeah, that's just it Will, I barely have room for what I have right now. My 735 is mounted on a cart so a combo machine wouldn't really take up a whole lot more space. With a bit of rearranging, I could make that work. I even thought about the Grizzly 10" combo unit except that it's only a 2-knife cutterhead. A spiral would be nice, but I could live with a 3-knife head.

[Mark Henshaw]

Stew,
I have the Grizzly 12" J/P and have found it to be well worth the money i paid for it. Certainly not up to the same performance as the European models but i have run thousands of board feet through it with good results.

Mark

[Sean Troy]

Yeah, that's just it Will, I barely have room for what I have right now. My 735 is mounted on a cart so a combo machine wouldn't really take up a whole lot more space. With a bit of rearranging, I could make that work. I even thought about the Grizzly 10" combo unit except that it's only a 2-knife cutterhead. A spiral would be nice, but I could live with a 3-knife head.

Combo machine has saved me space for my small shop. They do weigh quite a bit though. Near 750 lbs. for mine. Buy the best you can afford, set it up correctly and it should be a joy to use.

[Jim Becker]

I currently have the Wixey digital readout on my DeWalt and don't know how I lived without it. I wonder it it could be added to a Combo machine?
I have an aftermarket DRO mounted on my MiniMax J/P and it works great...although I haven't actually used it in a long time. I, um...forget it's there and forget to change the batteries. :o :p :) :D

[Rod Sheridan]

I currently have the Wixey digital readout on my DeWalt and don't know how I lived without it. I wonder it it could be added to a Combo machine?

I don't see why it couldn't.

My Hammer has a mechanical digital gauge which works great, accurate, easy to read, no batteries..........Regards, Rod.

[Marc Burt]

I may be the pauper of the group without a hammer or minimax but I have the jet 12" combo unit and it takes me no more than a minute (if that) to changeover, including raising or lowering the planer bed. I haven't had to adjust my tables yet.

I agree, I don't see the appeal of this Grizzly machine.

[Larry Edgerton]

Stew, if it will fit the work you are doing and your budget, I see no reason not to buy it.

Not everyone needs a big machine. My buddy that just passed away had a Makita set up like that and he made small fine furniture and fancy boxes. His work was better than mine. The machine did everything he needed it to do. So you just have to look at what you hope to build and then decide if it is big enough, and if the jointer height is OK when using it in a wheelchair.

[Curt Harms]

I currently have the Wixey digital readout on my DeWalt and don't know how I lived without it. I wonder it it could be added to a Combo machine?

A picture is worth a thousand words, it's said. This is an iGaging unit, I'd think you could do something similar with a Wixey.

[Dan Friedrichs]

Not to derail this thread too much further, but here's a Wixey mounted on my combo machine.

I drilled a hole to route the cable through a wire chase that already existed in the machine to keep things a little neater. The aluminum rail on the right side is the sensor.


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