Attention all knifemakers...

Taz

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Apr 28, 1999
Messages
2,644
Do not buy a product from Grizzly! All of the horror stories you hear are all true. I waited 2 months for their knifemaker grinder, when I got it, the motor was making an odd noise. So they said to ship it back, so we did. I got it back today and guess what?? Noise is still there, and a little louder, too. Grizzly QC and customer Service sucks big time. I know its the cheapest grinder out there, but don't waste your time and money. In fact, boycott the whole company! I really hate it when a company doesn't stand by their product and can't handle a simple repair. The only reason why this machine isn't going back is that it is literally all I can afford, and I am trying to make knives for several people I know. Please, don't fall into the same trap I did. Don't waste your money on anything from grizzly. It's not worth the time and hassle. If it was a Wilton or Bader or something, I would feel comfortable sending something back knowing that it would be fixed. I guess you do get what you pay for. Don't waste time and money on cheap equipment.

[This message has been edited by Taz (edited 11-10-2000).]
 
Taz,
Sorry to hear about your Grizzly problems!! It's too bad to think of things this way but.... When I order something from Grizzly, Harbor Freight, etc. I consider the darn thing a "KIT" at best. I will be delivered a bunch of cheap parts that are put together but usually not properly assembled. What happens is, as with my metal band saw, I take it appart before I even plug the darn thing in!! I replace the chinese bearings with quality ones, blow the dust and bugs out of the motor, add grease fittings,Gates V belt, Heli Coils, change bushings to bearings in some cases, add a name brand grease, lubricate other parts, THEN I reassemble it using loctite and American made bolts and screws!!
This probably triples the price of the original machine in parts, machining, and time. If I had just started using the saw, as is, on my tough materials, it would have self destructed in NO time
eek.gif
The results, again with my bandsaw, is now a ROCK SOLID machine that I built from a "Kit'!! And..... I'm ahead of the game as far as cost over a Starret or DoAll band saw by a mile!!
The deeper you get into knifemaking the more you will have to be your own machine builder/designer/machanic/fabricator/technician! Tear the damn thing down and see what makes it "TICK"!!!
wink.gif

I know of two people that bought a small surface grinder from Harbor freight, one worked great the other had to be returned twice with MAJOR problems!! So far my Grizzly buffers are working good as well as the Table saw I bought several years ago and have since sold to a neibor. My Grizzly drill press is also going strong with only minor upgrades!!
Neil

------------------
Talonite....Stellite...


blackwoodknives.com
 
Back
Top