Any must have tools from Grizzly?

[Fixall]

I currently live near the Grizzly showroom but will be moving to a different city this month. I figured I’d stick up on some Grizzly tools while I’m here since their shipping prices can get kind of crazy.

Any must have tools I should be looking at or picking up?

I’ve already grabbed a surface plate and a height gauge. I’m giving some thought about grabbing one of their wood bandsaws (I have a portaband for steel) over a Rikon.

 

[Richard338]

If you already have the portaband, I don't think you need a separate wood saw if it's just for knife making.

 

[Fixall]

If you already have the portaband, I don't think you need a separate wood saw if it's just for knife making.

I buy a lot of burls and logs (mainly DI) that I enjoy processing and turning into blocks/scales. The Milwaukee and swag table does alright for scales, but can’t really handle the logs.

 

[Richard338]

That's a different ball game then. I make so few cuts that I still manage with hand saws.

 

[Bühlmann]

I've found that a dust collection system combined with an air cleaner system drastically improves the overall air quality plus short and long term cleanliness of my shop/garage. I have a Jet DC-1100 canister collector hooked up to my machines and run a homemade boxfan/furnace filter (x4), but Grizzly offers some good alternatives in both categories if you are itching to drop some coin. I never gave too much consideration to shop air quality in the past, but now that I have a dedicated shop space I do and I definitely notice the difference. Plus, many of the materials we use are pretty toxic when airborne so it just makes good logical sense. You won't regret it.

 

[Fixall]

I've found that a dust collection system combined with an air cleaner system drastically improves the overall air quality plus short and long term cleanliness of my shop/garage. I have a Jet DC-1100 canister collector hooked up to my machines and run a homemade boxfan/furnace filter (x4), but Grizzly offers some good alternatives in both categories if you are itching to drop some coin. I never gave too much consideration to shop air quality in the past, but now that I have a dedicated shop space I do and I definitely notice the difference. Plus, many of the materials we use are pretty toxic when airborne so it just makes good logical sense. You won't regret it.

Dust collection is really, really high on my list. Our house was just finished and it will probably be a year or so before the shop is done... So I'll be working out of the garage until then. I figured I'd wait until the shop was complete before I invested too much in a system. I haven't really done enough research on a system to really know what to buy just yet. They did have a pretty nice 1.5hp canister system on a really steep discount on the showroom floor though...

 

[Fixall]

Just got back from Grizzly. That place is dangerous. Other than the 6" height gauge and 9" x 12" x 3" surface plate, I was able to get out of there with just 5" multi jaw, rotating bench vice with an anvil. It was about 50% off (~$70 after discount) and the one they had on display felt rock solid.

 

[Fixall]

Whelp, looks like I'm going to be doing some dust collection research. The wifey wants dust collection in the garage asap. Probably a smart idea anyways.

 

[Hubert S.]

Grizzly G9645 hardness tester?

 

[Fixall]

Grizzly G9645 hardness tester?

That's kind of tempting considering it's almost $200 to have it shipped. It will be a long time before I'm ready to start heat treating on my own though. That's what we have JTknives for right, lol?

 

[12345678910]

6" dial caliper

 

[Fixall]

6" dial caliper

All set on the calipers!

 

[Fixall]

So I went back (told you that place was dangerous). Picked up a hanging air filter

Hanging Air Filter w/ Remote at Grizzly.com

<h1>G0572 Hanging Air Filter w/ Remote</h1> <h2>Quietly filter the air in your shop.</h2> <p>The G0572 Hanging Air Filter has a convenient remote control and features a three-speed motor, automatic shutoff timer and 5-micron primary filter and 1-micron secondary filter.</p> <p>When the is turned...

www.grizzly.com

Now I’m looking at their drill presses since they are pretty spendy to ship.

I’m currently looking at this one:

14" Heavy-Duty Benchtop Drill Press at Grizzly.com

<h1>G7943 14" Heavy-Duty Benchtop Drill Press</h1> <h2>An awarding-winning, quality-built, heavy-duty benchtop drill press.</h2> <p>Despite their small size, benchtop models offer workpiece capacities pretty close to full-size presses.</p> <p>The G7943 14" Heavy-Duty Benchtop Drill Press was...

www.grizzly.com

And this one:

13-1/4" Oscillating Drill Press at Grizzly.com

<h1>W1668 13-1/4" Oscillating Drill Press</h1> <h2>With the oscillating motion, this is much more than just a benchtop drill press.</h2> <p>The Shop Fox W1668 13-1/4" Oscillating Drill Press was awarded Top Value by <em>WOOD Magazine</em> because of its versatility.</p> <p>The W1668 can be used...

www.grizzly.com

 

[A.McPherson]

If you buy one with a movable table, try to find one that hangs pretty level when unlocked.
I got one that is really loose, and is not even close to level, when you tighten it up, you can get it fairly perpendicular to the quill/drill bit, but I still have to shim my work to get true 90° holes.