Byrd head for older Powermatic or new Grizzley G0453Z

[Bob Latourelle]

I have a older Powermatic 15 inch planer and am thinking about a spiral cutter for it. The Byrd head from Grizzley is $695 plus shipping and about $200 for installation and bearings. So around $900 total. I just got an email from Grizzley that the G0453Z with spiral cutter head is now available with free shipping for $1795. My question. Is the Powermatic that much better a machine to justify a $900 investment. Or is the brand new Grizzley with warantee a good enough quality machine to spend the extra money and go new.

[Cary Falk]

If you are happy with the PM them keep it and put the spiral head in it. It will cost you almost half as much. You won't notice a difference between the Grizzly and the PM. I have the G0453Z and hve been happy with it. There are plenty of videos online to put in the spiral head. It's not that hard.