[Ed3443]

I am now looking for a jointer. Paypal credit has a great deal ending on November 24th--0% interest for 24 months. So I have been looking for a jointer for a long time. I want an 8" Parallelogram Jointer. I do not have the money or the space for a 12". I also really have no need for the additional size.

The jointers I am looking at are.

Powermatic PJ882 JOINTER, 2HP $2,599.99 (without wheel base, Knives, 83")
PJ882, 8" Parallelogram Jointer 2HP,1Ph

Grizzly G0495X 3HP $2730 (without wheel base, Helical head, 83")
https://www.grizzly.com/products/Gr...-with-Exclusive-Digital-Height-Readout/G0495X

Grizzly G0858 - 8" x 76" Parallelogram Jointer with Helical Cutterhead & Mobile Base 3HP $1960 https://www.grizzly.com/products/Gr...ter-with-Helical-Cutterhead-Mobile-Base/G0858

Grizzly G0857 - 8" x 76" Parallelogram Jointer with Mobile Base 3HP $1530 (knives)
https://www.grizzly.com/products/Grizzly-8-x-76-Parallelogram-Jointer-with-Mobile-Base/G0857

Grizzly G0490X - 8" x 76" Jointer with Parallelogram Beds and Spiral Cutterhead $1690 3HP (This model is made in China the other models are made in Taiwan. I was told the other models have slightly better build quality.
https://www.grizzly.com/products/Gr...rallelogram-Beds-and-Spiral-Cutterhead/G0490X

Laguna Tools, 8″ Parallelogram Jointer (MJOIN8020) $3250 3HP ShearTec II blades 83"
https://lagunatools.com/classic-machinery/jointers/jointer-8-inch-parallelogram/

The jointers with knives I would eventually replace with a Byrd cutting head. Prices per month vary from $64 to $136. Money is tight but I want to buy something I will not want to replace in 5 years. The reviews on the Grizzly's seem very good. They are much cheaper than the PM or Laguna. There is a huge weight difference in the Grizzly machines--cheapest is at 365lbs and the most expensive is 796lbs.

Thoughts about these Jointers or others that I have missed. I have not had a great experience with Jet so I have not looked at them. Are there things I should be looking for that I am missing. My bias right now is the Grizzly's. G0858, G0857 or the G0495X (do not know if it is worth the price difference). Thanks for any and all guidance.

 

[Ed3443]

There is a reason Grizzly is cheaper and you will find out why when you go to sell it or service it. Go with a brand name. Either the Powermatic which would be my choice or the Laguna. Both have sales and you can usually get 10 to 15% off.

Thanks Art. Can you tell me more about resale and service issues with Grizzly. I am seeing where I live that they are keeping value--part of the reason I am looking for new. In a perfect world I would love to have the PM but it is so expensive for what you get. The same is sorta true with Laguna. It seems like so much money for a machine that just makes boards flat. Thanks again.

 

[Ed3443]

Fine Woodworking did a jointer test in the last year and the Grizz came out as best value if I remember right. The test was on all spiral heads I think too. I've had an 8" for over 20 years and I would have been unhappy with a 6" I think but very rarely have I ever had need for one that's wider. A longer bed would be nice though. Mine is 72". Go longer if you can afford it.
The parallelogram type is harder to adjust very finely but I don't see that as a big problem unless you do a lot of rabbeting with it. Then you need the fine adjustment. Otherwise you are just trying to flatten edges or faces and precision isn't critical regarding depth of cut.

Thanks Chuck. I saw that review which gave me more faith in Grizzly. This will be my first Jointer. I thought the parallelogram was easier to adjust. I thought the parallelogram made it easier to have the tables in coplanar. I also thought the big advantage is that this system keeps the distance from the cutting head tight. Are parallelogram difficult to adjust depth of cut? Or are they generally hard to adjust? Thanks for your advice.

 

[Ed3443]

Powermatic, etc. and damn, Grizzly

?????????? - Strategic Partenrship

CAD-Man

Wow!!! That is quite interesting. And very sad--we don't make anything here any more do we.

 

[Ed3443]

I want to thank everyone for their input and advice. I decided to pull the trigger tonight on the Grizzly G0495X. The Fine Woodworking tool review (thanks Jamie) and the information provide by Cad-Man (thanks Bruce) makes me have a lot of faith in Grizzly. I was going to buy the $1295 jointer--but I really wanted the helical cutter and I figured if I was going to spend $1725 I might as well get what I really wanted. I figure this will be the last jointer I will buy and one of my kids will get it. Once I receive it, I will write up a review. I just want to say thank you for everyone who helped me make this decision. You guys are great!