Upgrade dj-20 with spiral?

[William Chain]

I have an opportunity to upgrade my DJ-20 jointer to a spiral cutter head, the T10126 from Grizzly. I had planned on saving for the Byrd cutter but there is a deal lurking locally on a new T10126. Same number of cutters, but as everyone knows I’m sure, a slightly different design. Can anyone comment on the T10126 vs the Byrd cutter? We’re talking about half the price so it’s worth the thought...

[Earl McLain]

I've got the Byrd on my planer, and I like it a lot. Would like to upgrade my jointer, more because I hate changing knives than anything. When I first put the head on the planer, i'd have only done a Byrd on the jointer a) to keep only one type of spare cutter on hand and b) because I hadn't considered my processing. Now, 4 or 5 years later, I'd consider the Grizzly heads at even a marginal difference in cost. First off, I just haven't had to change cutters (I've broken two--my fault, and it should have been more each time). Secondly, I don't use my jointer as a finishing machine--I square an edge and a face, then the planer and saws take over for dimensioning. Maybe just my attitude, but i'm thinking my jointer needs to be capable of flattening a face and squaring an edge--without shredding figured wood.

If I had any skill in setting knives so they would be on the mark and it took less than half a day...i'd be good with the straight knives. I'm not there and I don't get enough shop time to be patient enough to learn. Again, no expert and just a hobbyist--so your mileage may vary. (after you get that head and install it, i'd be more than happy to have you ship your DJ-20 to me for testing and evaluation. it will take a few years, but I promise not to charge you for my time!!)

At half off--buy it.
earl

[Ed Labadie]

Check the price on replacment inserts, iirc Grizzly's were a lot more expensive than ones for a Byrd head.

Ed

[Cary Falk]

I have a Byrd in my jointer and a Grizzly in my Planer. I can't tell the difference in cut quality. There was a link shared a while back that had a source for replacement cutters for the Grizzly at a much cheaper price. If I can find it I will post it.

[Steve Roxberg]

I have a Byrd in my jointer and a Grizzly in my Planer. I can't tell the difference in cut quality. There was a link shared a while back that had a source for replacement cutters for the Grizzly at a much cheaper price. If I can find it I will post it.

Same here, not worth worrying about they are both good.

[William Chain]

Thanks all. I will see if I can put the deal together.

[Matt Day]

If you’ve got the cash, go for it.

My opinion is a spiral head in the jointer doesn’t add much of anything besides not having to set standard jointer blade knives. If my jointer tears out a little with straight knives, it doesn’t matter since it will go through my planer anyway, so the planer would be the only machine that would really need a spiral head.

[Steve Roxberg]

I also replaced the bearings with the highest quality ones I could get locally. The old ones where not bad to my knowledge but I like woodworking and not working on machines so I figured I'd open it up once.

[glenn bradley]

I've used them side by side and saw no difference in the end result.