I recently purchased a Grizzly G0940 13" benchtop planer with a helical cutting head. This has turned out to be a frustrating experience. I am in the process of returning my third planer for a full refund. All the planers were damaged in shipment from Grizzly's Missouri warehouse to my home in State College, Pa. via UPS. Each had exterior damage, varying from cracked/dented cast aluminum base plates, bent side panel, bent clips on the underside of the top lid of the planer, and infeed/outfeed rollers and cutting heads that were knocked out of alignment. Grizzly sent replacement planers and would have sent me a 4th, but I decided to ask for a refund. Grizzly's tech staff was patient and helpful, but the shipping departmentwould not provide adequate shipping cartions/material to absorb the abuse of shipping, refusing to double box a planer or to use a more sturdy shipping container.
I am know beginning my search of another benchtop planer. My primary reason for the Grizzly purchase was the integrated helical cutting head. The price point was also reasonable considering the $500-$800 cost of fitting a helical cutting head into a planer with traditional cutting blades, such as the DeWalt models.
These are my questions:
*In what condition should I expect a planer to be in out of the box? The Grizzly model cost $895.00.
*Out of the box, how much mechanical adjustment should be anticipated regarding the alignment of the rollers and cutting head?
*Is any one aware of another brand with a true helical cutting head besides Oliver (sp) or Baily (sp)? Jet and Rikon has model with spheral cutting heads. I have read that the helical cutting head provides a smooth cut and is easier to maintain/replace cutting insert.
In reading customer reviews, there are numerous reports of defects/damage in shipment or motor problems (the new Jet model).
My garage workshop doesn't have the space for a floor model besides the cost of a floor model being 2-3x the cost of a benchtop model. I know there is the probable advantage of a better made product with more accurate factory set alignment, but I cann't justify the $2000-$3000 cost!
I'm beginning the lean toward the new Rikon model with the spheral cutting head.
I'm also still considering requesting a 4th planer from Grizzly since I haven't received a return shipping label yet. The closest store to make a direct purchase is a Woodcraft Store in Harrisburg, Pa.. Woodcraft also can ship floor standing models in a shorter length semi that can turn around in a cul-de-sac where I live. I can purchase a Shop Fox to pick up from Home Depot that is a 13" model with a spheral cutting head.
Does anyone have any advice or guidance in response to this posting regarding expectation for mechanical adjustments out of the box and tool company branch that has integrated helical cutting heads?
Your comment will be greatly appreciated.
Mark Mrsa