Grizzly Jointer/Planer G0634 Review - Part 1

[Frank Martin]

Hello all,

Finally, I got around to posting my review for this machine.
Overall, I am very impressed with this machine based on my initial experience with it and would feel very comfortable suggesting this to a friend. Below is the long version.

I am sure as some of you will recall (I got many pm's here so far asking about my experience with this machine) I was asking lots of questions about this machine back in March/April before it was even released. I had no prior experience with Grizzly and as a result I was extremely skeptical about this machine and Grizzly products in general mainly because of the price point. I was mostly looking to buy either a Hammer or a MiniMax version of this machine. However, the spiral carbide insert cutterhead and the center mounted fence on the Grizzly really got my attention. Shiraz responded to my messages here and also we exchanged several pm's. After communicating with Shiraz, I felt comfortable enough to order the machine.

I received the machine back in late June. I was told this is the very first machine shipped in the US. I guess I am a really early adoptor:-)) The shipping/delivery was uneventful, just how I like it. Crating was well done. The machine did not have any damage. The driver delivered inside my 1 car garage size shop.

Between a very busy work/family schedule and couple parts (no biggie) I needed to replace, I never got around to finalizing the setup and testing after the delivery in June. Finally, this weekend, I installed everything, adjusted the infeed and outfeed tables (needed minor shimming) and the fence. I tested the tables with a 50" straight edge. I am extremely impressed with how flat the tables are. The outfeed table is perfect (could not even insert a 0.001" feeler gage under the straight edge) and the infeed table is near perfect as well. The overall fit and finish is at least on par with the Delta machines I am familiar with. I have not used euro machines and cannot compare with those.

Also very satisfying was my Grizzly customer service experience. I have contacted them couple times and received very professional, prompt service. I put a lot of value to customer service and I am very glad to find out Grizzly is doing a great job at that.

The machine operates perfectly. Changing from jointer to planer and back is really no big deal. What I am mostly amazed so far is how quiet it is. Before this I had a 13" Delta benchtop planer and a 6" Delta jointer. The planer was extremely loud with its universal motor. The new machine is very quiet, part of it is the belt driven motor, other part is the spiral head.

So far I have only tested the machine with a few boards, and have not really used it for a long time. Unfortunately, between work and family I get very little time for woodworking. The last time I built something was back in December 2006. Just to show I actually have a shop and occasionally build something I have added a few pictures of my shop and the cherry bench/shoe storage I built for our entry. I also built a macthing console table and a mirror frame that are located on the other side of the hall, but could not get a good picture of those with all other things on/around them. Please see my replies to this post for other pictures.

I hope to enjoy using this machine for a long time. Actually, because of my experience with this machine, I will sure take a very close look at the Grizzly offerings in the future. My next machine is going to be a bandsaw. There is a new Grizzly model that I really like, but as you can tell from my shop pictures, I don’t have any space to put one in. Hopefully, in about a year or so we will move to a larger house.

Please see the next thread (Part 2) for additional pictures. One day I will figure out splicing multiple pictures to stay below the limit.

[Frank Martin]

More pictures of Grizzly jointer/planer and pictures of my shop...

[Frank Martin]

Nothing to do with the Grizzly machine. Just some pictures of the bench/shoe storage I built in December 2006. No projects since then...

[Pete Brown]

Cool, thanks for posting.

For someone who never gets to do any woodworking, you have some nice tools (woodrat, even!) :)

How do you like the finish coming off of that jointer/planer? That can be hard to show in a photo. How about power with jointing a full-width board?

Pete

[Frank Martin]

Pete,

The surface finish has those very small ridges typical of the spiral carbide insert cutterhead. However, no big deal really as they come off easily with sanding. The spiral insert cutterhead has so many advantages (long carbide cutter life, easy to change inserts, low noise, etc.) at least for me there is no going back to old style cutterheads. This and the center mounted fence were the main reasons why I chose this machine over the euro versions of this machine to begin with.

Regarding power when jointing full width, it sure has plenty to spare. I typically take off very little, about 1/32" per pass or sometimes even less, so I did not feel that power was lacking. With the 5hp motor, I doubt power will become an issue for reasonable stock removal.

Actually, before my son was born and before I switched to a more demanding career, I used to do a lot woodworking. I made most of the furniture in our house, including all in my son's room. As for the tools, I actually have a lot of others in the cabinet below the bench and in other cabinets. Too bad I don't get to use them much these days. Surely, spending time with my 2.5 yr old son is more fun than woodworking, at least most of the time.

The Woodrat is an excellent machine. Due to limited marketing and exaggerated learning curve most people here in the US don't even consider it when they are shopping for joinery solutions. I use it for most of my joinery needs. Now that I also have a Domino, I won't likely use it for loose tenon joinery anymore, but there are many other things I use it for.



Cool, thanks for posting.

For someone who never gets to do any woodworking, you have some nice tools (woodrat, even!) :)

How do you like the finish coming off of that jointer/planer? That can be hard to show in a photo. How about power with jointing a full-width board?

Pete

[Kevin Murdock]

Hey Frank,

How do you find it on the mobile base?

I purchased the "Super Heavy-Duty Mobile Base" for mine and I find it very difficult to move. The casters just don't seem up to handling the weight, and the angle iron mounting plates are visibly bending under the close to 700lb load.

Thanks,
-Kevin

[Don Bullock]

Frank, thanks for the post. I've been wondering about the G0634. It's good to see your information. As one who gets less time in the shop than I'd like, I sure understand the delay on getting it all put together. Please give us an update when you have had more time working on your jointer/planer.

[Sue Wise]

Kevin and Frank,
I am very interested in this thread as I have been waiting to purchase one.

Kevin, what has been your experience with it?

[glenn bradley]

Hey Frank,

How do you find it on the mobile base?

I purchased the "Super Heavy-Duty Mobile Base" for mine and I find it very difficult to move. The casters just don't seem up to handling the weight, and the angle iron mounting plates are visibly bending under the close to 700lb load.

Thanks,
-Kevin

Blatant thread-jack; Kevin, I have that base on my BS which is half the weight of the combo machine and it is inadequate for that task. You might want to look at some of the high end HTC bases.

Did your machine require adjustment out of the box as well? Do you get the surface ridges while face planing? Neither of these is a bad thing. Just trying to get a feel for the new product.

[David Weaver]

Thanks for posting this. I have a similar space situation and a delta 22-580 and a small delta 6" jointer, and would love to replace both with this.

My wife would crap if I spent $2400 right now, though.

[Roland Sherman]

Frank, Thanks for the information and a look at your shop. I am also interested in the woodrat and have been looking for sometime...don't want to put out the money yet, I noticed that there is one on ebay and was going to bid on it, how is it for cutting dovetails and M&T's

[Frank Martin]

Kevin,

The mobile base is one thing I won't be purchasing from Grizzly again. I had to replace all the casters, because the outer layer on them just crumbled when I moved the machine literally inches. To Grizzly's credit, they sent replacement casters right away. However, it is still very hard to move the machine. I actually bought very high quality urethane casters, but they don't fit the base. I may just try first replacing only the wheels with the urethane ones to see if it improves anything. If not definitely a new mobile base...

Also, not as important as the function, the fit and finish is poor, it had rust in couple places and a poor paint job. Definetly not in the same league with the Delta mobile bases I am familiar with.


Hey Frank,

How do you find it on the mobile base?

I purchased the "Super Heavy-Duty Mobile Base" for mine and I find it very difficult to move. The casters just don't seem up to handling the weight, and the angle iron mounting plates are visibly bending under the close to 700lb load.

Thanks,
-Kevin

[Frank Martin]

I have done quite a bit of dovetailing and M&T. It is just fine for dovetailing. It provides lots of flexibility. Because there is no template or bushing, you can use any dovetail bit. Variable space dovetails is also the nature of the machine as again you are not using a template. For M&T, I did traditional M&T, for which it worked just fine, but I like the much simpler loose tenon joinery much better, which Woodrat makes it very easy to do.

If you want to find out more, just oder the DVD, it is very useful in understanding the flexibility and capabilities of the machine.


Frank, Thanks for the information and a look at your shop. I am also interested in the woodrat and have been looking for sometime...don't want to put out the money yet, I noticed that there is one on ebay and was going to bid on it, how is it for cutting dovetails and M&T's

[Kevin Murdock]

Hey Frank and Glenn,

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately there appears to be a common thread on the effectiveness of the Super Heavy-Duty Mobile Base.

That's too bad as the G7315 models are sold as being able to handle up to 1200lbs.

My usage is 700lbs and its overloading the casters.

I bought 2, as I was going to use one on my 650lb bandsaw. Though I'm guessing that is will have the same result.

I guess I'll contact Grizzly about returning them.

As to the question of performance of my Jointer/Planer, I'm not setup yet.

-Kevin

[Frank Martin]

Kevin,

I have no idea how these bases would work with 1200 lbs. They are definitely not up to the task for half the weight. If I could I would return mine in a heart beat too. Actually, had I seen it in person before purchasing, I would not have bought it based on fit and finish.

Do you know if there is an HTC base that would fit the machine?


Hey Frank and Glenn,

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately there appears to be a common thread on the effectiveness of the Super Heavy-Duty Mobile Base.

That's too bad as the G7315 models are sold as being able to handle up to 1200lbs.

My usage is 700lbs and its overloading the casters.

I bought 2, as I was going to use one on my 650lb bandsaw. Though I'm guessing that is will have the same result.

I guess I'll contact Grizzly about returning them.

As to the question of performance of my Jointer/Planer, I'm not setup yet.

-Kevin

[Scott Rollins]

I have been looking at this combo machine since I found out about it. I was wondering about the lack of infeed/oufeed tables for the planer. This should cause some nasty snipe...Do you see lots of snipe? How about the dust collection? I would think as a jointer it would be great, but the planer aspect looks a little lacking. I have a Grizzly 3hp dust collector which works great on most equipment. I also have a Shop Fox (Grizzly with a differnet color scheme) 6" jointer which works great, so I am not concerned about quality.

I also have the Woodrat. It is a fantastic machine. It is my goto machine for lots of things other than dovetails. I can safely climb mill knarly splintery stock without any problems. I did modify mine with a linear guide and a new front though for added capacity.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=61519

[Frank Martin]

Scott,

Yes, there was some snipe on my test boards. I am actually thinking about adding a sled to make a longer bed. I had one for my 13" Delta planer which made a huge improvement. Again it is mostly a function of the combo machine design (i.e., short planer bed) which I can live with easily.

I looked at the pictures of your home made Woodrat. Wonderful set up you have there, I am very amazed!. Making a bigger auxiliary front to my Woodrat is on my list, but never got that far in my to do list. At the same time, I never felt that I was not able to do something without it either. So I may very well end up just not adding one.



I have been looking at this combo machine since I found out about it. I was wondering about the lack of infeed/oufeed tables for the planer. This should cause some nasty snipe...Do you see lots of snipe? How about the dust collection? I would think as a jointer it would be great, but the planer aspect looks a little lacking. I have a Grizzly 3hp dust collector which works great on most equipment. I also have a Shop Fox (Grizzly with a differnet color scheme) 6" jointer which works great, so I am not concerned about quality.

I also have the Woodrat. It is a fantastic machine. It is my goto machine for lots of things other than dovetails. I can safely climb mill knarly splintery stock without any problems. I did modify mine with a linear guide and a new front though for added capacity.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=61519

[Eddie Darby]

Thanks for the nice post! I look forward to Part 2 .. if there isone.

Can you tell me what the storage space this machine requires?

I was thinking that if the black metal plate that is in the back of the machine, under the fence post, were removed, and the fence stored all the way forward, then the room needed would be minimum.

I have a small shop, and I have one main staging area, which I use to run my machines, and then I wheel them back to the storage area.

Did you stick the base of the machine onto a plywood panel before putting it into the mobile base?

I wonder if the wheels are the same as these ones on ShopFox. I've seen 1200 lbs. mobile bases that have steel wheels.

http://www.right-tool.com/shopfoxheavd.html

[Kevin Murdock]

Eddie,

Mine is the Shop Fox "Extra Heavy Duty Model". The casters to me don't look any different than on the ones on my lighter duty shop fox that is on my much lighter shaper.

They may be different, but they definately are not different enough to handle the up to advertised 1200lbs.

Not only do the casters appear not to be up to the task, but with the 700lb load you can visibly see the L-shaped mounting bracket bend under the (half max rating) load.

The person who helped me uncrate and put the jointer/planer into the mobile base actually had much harsher words that I'm expressing here.

I've bought a new HTC welded one piece mobile base which is rated to 1000lbs. Hopefully it is more up to the task

The bummer is that to remove and replace the mobile base is not an easy task. Raising the 700lb jointer/planer a few inches off the ground requires equipment that I don't have, like and engine hoist or a winch stacker. Guess I'll need to ask the person who help me last time to come over again with his winch stacker.

-Kevin

[Frank Martin]

Kevin,

Please let me know which HTC mobile base you purchased. I will be purchasing one as well.

Also, were able to arrange for the return of the Shop Fox base? I ordered mine when I ordered the machine from Grizzly. Of course I don't have any of the packing materials anymore...

As you noted, I will need to rent an engine hoist just to change out the mobile bases, which will cost me couple hours of time plus the rental expense.




Eddie,

Mine is the Shop Fox "Extra Heavy Duty Model". The casters to me don't look any different than on the ones on my lighter duty shop fox that is on my much lighter shaper.

They may be different, but they definately are not different enough to handle the up to advertised 1200lbs.

Not only do the casters appear not to be up to the task, but with the 700lb load you can visibly see the L-shaped mounting bracket bend under the (half max rating) load.

The person who helped me uncrate and put the jointer/planer into the mobile base actually had much harsher words that I'm expressing here.

I've bought a new HTC welded one piece mobile base which is rated to 1000lbs. Hopefully it is more up to the task

The bummer is that to remove and replace the mobile base is not an easy task. Raising the 700lb jointer/planer a few inches off the ground requires equipment that I don't have, like and engine hoist or a winch stacker. Guess I'll need to ask the person who help me last time to come over again with his winch stacker.

-Kevin

[Roland Sherman]

Frank, Thanks for the advice, I have already placed an order for the DVD. I also found a web site http://www.chipsfly.com/
that has a video for viewing. Now do I want to try and buy the one on ebay or buy brand new Hmmm (ebay 450, New 695)

Any thanks for the help

[Frank Martin]

""Significant savings" is something only you can define though.

Chipsfly is the place I bought it from. Actually, I bought it during a woodworking show several years ago. The owner, Lewis is a great guy to deal with by the way. He also sells some useful accessories for the machine. He has other useful tips on his website as well.



Frank, Thanks for the advice, I have already placed an order for the DVD. I also found a web site http://www.chipsfly.com/
that has a video for viewing. Now do I want to try and buy the one onebay or buy brand new Hmmm (ebay 450, New 695)

Any thanks for the help

[Eddie Darby]

Can you tell me what the storage space this machine requires?

I was thinking that if the black metal plate that is in the back of the machine, under the fence post, were removed, and the fence stored all the way forward, then the room needed would be minimum.

I have a small shop, and I have one main staging area, which I use to run my machines, and then I wheel them back to the storage area.

Do you know what approximately the width would be to store it with the fence in the forward postion? Thanks.

[Kevin Murdock]

Kevin,

Please let me know which HTC mobile base you purchased. I will be purchasing one as well.

Also, were able to arrange for the return of the Shop Fox base? I ordered mine when I ordered the machine from Grizzly. Of course I don't have any of the packing materials anymore...

As you noted, I will need to rent an engine hoist just to change out the mobile bases, which will cost me couple hours of time plus the rental expense.

Hey Frank,

I purchased the HTC HSG-341 from Amazon.com. It was on sale for 74.10:

http://www.frozenwarrior.com/~pricewatch/item_search.php?value=B0001LQXZY

But the price is back up to more than twice that now. Keep checking back to see if it drops again.

It's a bit larger than the footprint needed, but close enough that I can make it work.

I kept the outside packaging for the mobile base, but the styrofoam was beat up on the inside from shipping, so I didn't keep all of it. As noted above, I bought an additional one for my G0566 bandsaw, but it won't be enough so I'm returning both.

I called Grizzly about a return and they said that I could, and that I could be charged a 10% re-stocking fee and that I would have to pay shipping to return. If they find that the product actually is defective, then they waive the re-stocking fee and refund the return shipping.

The product isn't damaged per se, but it definitely doesn't work as advertised so I'd consider that defective. I'll let you know what happens.

And yes, it's too bad that there is no way to get the mobile base out without "mechanical assistance".

Once I find a replacement mobile base for my 21" bandsaw, I dread having to get that thing up a few inches into the air.

-Kevin

[Frank Martin]

Hi Kevin,

You got an awesome deal on that HTC mobile base. I will keep watching...

About the Shop Fox base, between the return shipping, restocking fee, and the hassle to put it all back together I may not even try to return. However, I fully agree, it sure does not work advertised and should be returned with no questions asked. I may call them back and see what they have to say...



Hey Frank,

I purchased the HTC HSG-341 from Amazon.com. It was on sale for 74.10:

http://www.frozenwarrior.com/~pricewatch/item_search.php?value=B0001LQXZY

But the price is back up to more than twice that now. Keep checking back to see if it drops again.

It's a bit larger than the footprint needed, but close enough that I can make it work.

I kept the outside packaging for the mobile base, but the styrofoam was beat up on the inside from shipping, so I didn't keep all of it. As noted above, I bought an additional one for my G0566 bandsaw, but it won't be enough so I'm returning both.

I called Grizzly about a return and they said that I could, and that I could be charged a 10% re-stocking fee and that I would have to pay shipping to return. If they find that the product actually is defective, then they waive the re-stocking fee and refund the return shipping.

The product isn't damaged per se, but it definitely doesn't work as advertised so I'd consider that defective. I'll let you know what happens.

And yes, it's too bad that there is no way to get the mobile base out without "mechanical assistance".

Once I find a replacement mobile base for my 21" bandsaw, I dread having to get that thing up a few inches into the air.

-Kevin

[Frank Martin]

... about 33". Yes, it sure is bigger than smaller jointers, but for the capacity it offers and the center mounted fence, it isn't too bad either..


Do you know what approximately the width would be to store it with the fence in the forward postion? Thanks.

[Eddie Darby]

Thanks! About 33" , sounds good. Might be able to build a high table and store it under it.:D

How did you find the manual? Was it helpful?

[Frank Martin]

It is sprial bound, which is a nice touch. When I needed to replace couple parts not covered in the manual the folks at Grizzly sent me detailed pictures of the process, which I found very helpful. A quick and responsive customer service makes me much less worried about the manual to be honest.


Thanks! About 33" , sounds good. Might be able to build a high table and store it under it.:D

How did you find the manual? Was it helpful?

[Jim Becker]

Thanks for the review, Frank! Looks like a very nice machine for the money.