Grizzly feedback

C

cordovan

Joined
May 30, 2007
Messages
47
So I posted this question in the gadgets and gear section but didn't get any takers. Sorry if I'm pushing this question into the wrong forum, but I could use some feedback on Grizzly woodworking machines. My experience with Grizzly is limited to a 12" disk sander I use for knife making. I think it's great and has been a reliable machine. The drawbacks are the finish on the adjustable work table is mediocre and one of the adjustment screws doesn't because it ran out of threads. I am looking at outfitting my woodshop over the next year and wonder if these types of fit and finish issues are typical for the larger grizzly woodworking machines, in particular; the 15" planer, the 8" jointer, 16" drum sander and one of the larger table saws.

Thanks for any info. / feedback on these machines!
 
IMHO, I buy Grizzly for the machines I don't intend to use much. Or when I don't care if they last or even do a very good job. I would say Grizzly is a step above Harbor Freight. (Yeah I know, I just pulled a pin out of a hand grenade and have a holy war coming my way...)
If you are serious about your results, spend some time researching the tool comparisons, the shoot-outs that various woodworking magazines produce every so often. I have Powermatic, Jet, Rockwell, Milwaukee, Porter Cable and Veritas. Nothing really expensive, but solid quality. I do not have Sears (Craftsman) or any low end tools unless I am buying them for a specific job. Those tools are usually thrown away (yep, give 'em away or in the trash) after the one job. I learned the lesson well when buying a Craftsman router, which developed a serious bearing whine after about two hours of LIGHT use. It seized after about 10 hours. I was using it to round-over corners with about a 3/16 deep cut. Not hogging mortises. I also have purchased inexpensive sanders, which put more work into my hand than the workpiece. A slightly more expensive Makita did 10 times the work. Never again, unless I need a "stucco saw." The issues are more accuracy, alignment, square, level and flat. Lifespan is also a consideration.

Point is, most of us would spend the money to get a quality tool, say, like a knife. Why would someone buy a cheap knife? If you don't have any choice to do otherwise. Or need something to cut the stucco. Why should any of your other tools be low end?

Respectfully,
Balin
 
Thanks Balin for the excellent reply. I agree with you wholeheartedly about tool quality. My intention is to put together a shop with quality machines, even if it takes me longer to do so. Between the claim of grizzly that their stuff is built in an iso 9001 factory, and their prices I was hopeing for a good thing but it doesn't sound that way.

I'm off to do more research then. The woodworking magazine "shootouts" are a good idea. Thanks again!:)
 
Do a google search and you should come up with many opinions both good and bad, I have some import tools in my shop.......They take work to make them right.

Good luck
Spencer
 
I have been using the Grizzly dovetail mill/drill for the last year and a half and have had no problems with it. It has plenty of power, is very accurate and exceeded all of my expectations. The only plastic on it are the control knobs. Nothing has worn out or broke and I use it several hours each week.

The rest of my shop equip. is JET and is holding up well also.
 
Firstly, most of the brands Balin mentioned are now manufactured in China. I don't know of an American made table saw any more. Even General (Canada) is made in China now. So you can get good tools out of China.

2nd. I have several Grizzly tools, including their 3HP table saw. I love the saw. But it didn't come whole. They sent me the wrong wings. Then getting the correct wings took over a month. AND, I went through 3 sets of wings before they sent the correct ones. More recently, I ordered a keyless chuck from them and it didn't come as advertised. The website said it went from 0"-3/4". Really it goes from 3/16 to 3/4". They wanted to switch it out for me with a 5/8" chuck that was supposed to go to zero according to their books, but they found that the chuck, in reality went from 1/8" to 5/8".

So, you can get good tools from Grizzly, but you have to be prepared to pay for your savings with hassles and headaches.

And don't buy their bottom of the line stuff. Thats just silly.

Cordovan, you're in Middle Tennessee. There is a place in Atlanta called Redmond and Sons Tool and Machinery. They're a Delta and Jet dealer for new tools. But they have an astonishing warehouse full of used tools for sale also. I've rebuilt several tools from there. You can wheel and deal with the younger Redmond too (Scotty). You can get a lot of tool for your money there.
 
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