| Click to Post a New Message!
Page [ 1 ] |
|
|
|
Opinions on Grizzly brand machines
While in the hospital I had lots of time to think thru some of my plans on moving my commercial woodshop equipment to a smaller retirement, hobby type shop with limited space and electric capabilitys. First major tool that has to go for the above reasons is a Jet 37 inch widebelt sander bought new in 99. A great well built trouble free machine that will do a day's worth of sanding in munutes, so I really got spoiled watching that monster eat up the lumber and spit out perfectly sanded boards in minutes. I would like to have a smaller widebelt back that will run on single phase and fit in the alloted space. Grizzly seems to have become a major player in the industrial machine field, the trade magazines who test and rate these sort of machines seem to allways rate a Grizzly at or near the top of the majors like Jet, Powermatic, etc. their claim to being able to offer lower prices is that they have no dealer network, you buy direct from them. All of their equipment is foreign made, but so is everyone elses anymore, so maybe it is time to put that issue to rest. Comparing as nearly like machines as possible between Powermatic and Grizzly the Grizzlys usually run about 35% less in cost and offer a 2 year warranty. I have several other commercial size woodshop machines that will also have to go, but lets start with the sander and see if anyone has any experience with Grizzly in any tool, good or bad, let the chips fall where they maay. Thanks Frank.
|
|
 Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Opinions on Grizzly brand machines
Frank, my understanding is that Grizzly don't make machines, they are a large reseller who has off-shore (mostly Asian countries) machines made for private-label sales by them.
That said, I know several people who have them, some of them swear by them, one who swears AT them. One fella who has several Grizzly pieces, and says some are just lemons, in fact he had a planner of theirs which defied anyone to set it up and make more than two true cuts in a row, they exchanged it, and the replacement is a dream.
Asian quality control? Or the lack thereof?
We have a similar company up here, most of their stuff is the exact same item, sometimes even down to the part numbers, as the Grizzly stuff. I have one of their little metal working machines, a mill, drill, lathe combo, and as long as you remember what you're working with, it does a fine job, more than enough for what I need. It was certainly a bargain for the price, but I don't expect to turn out class A fit work on it either....
Some of the woodworking forums are probably full of people who have them and can give you the straight poop on them.
Best of luck.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Opinions on Grizzly brand machines
Murf; Thanks for the info. First I was wrong, they have a one year warranty, not two year. I started out with Sears,Powerkraft(Monkey Ward) home owner grade machines and soon learned they just won't handle eight hours a day five days a week type service. An old friend who's furniture quality makes me look like I work with an axe led me to Powermatic/Jet, Delta, Milwauke, Bosch, etc. I've just never hnd an issue with reliability, performance, resale, etc. So why do I want to change? The price is attractive, but in the long run, what few service issues I've ever had were handled by the local dealer without any hassle. Guess I answered my own question, I'll order the Powermatic. I must not be looking in the right places as I haven't found any woodworking sited yet. Thanks again. Frank.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Opinions on Grizzly brand machines
I've owned and used some grizzly, jet, and bridgeport metalworking machinery. I'm not an expert, but the grizzly was no where near as well put toegether or accurate as the jet... The jet was a BIG step up.
That said, this was for CNC machining, and I ended up trashing the grizzly acme screws and putting ball screws on it with my motors. That single change improved the grzzly 100x.
For things that are less precise, (sanders?) It might not be a bad deal; I put a couple thousand hours on the grizzly machine, and it still runs pretty good with brush replacements. I buy brushes at my local electic motor shop.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Opinions on Grizzly brand machines
Huckmeat; Thanks for the report on the machine shop end of Grizzly. I've already made up my mind to buy the Jet/Powermatic sander not only from Murfs reply, but from finding some local Grizzly owners, all pretty negative, nuff said on the sander.In anticipation of retirement I started shopping for some machine shop equipment three or four years ago, I have very little machine shop experience, I always had the desire, but never the time. A good friend of mine about my age just retired as a machinist from a local mfg. co. He told me he would be glad to trade machine shop training for furniture shop training, that's his retirement dream, I was tickled pink with his offer. Anyway about three years ago I bought a new Jet GH 1340W lathe with a AKGHW taper attachment, I've never used it, being the friend was ofering his training service I decided to get a milling machine also. I studied the Grizzly G9901 9X42 then contacted a local tool and die company who deal in only Bridgeport machines who offered me a like sized rebuilt Bridgeport with a waranty with power feed for about the same money. So after all the info I think I'll go with the Bridgeport. Thanks again. Frank.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Opinions on Grizzly brand machines
Never had Grizzly, but I have several older powermatic woodworking machines that I would consiter marginal. I just bought a new powermatic feed that is much better, depends on who they buy from. If I were you, I would look into a phase converter and find more space, it will be cheap compaired to fighting with poor tools. I just bought a Imported shaper, it was made by the same company that made two other machines I have so I thought I knew what to expect. $5400 and 500 to ship, I spent 1500 and many many hours redesigning and remachining every part on this tool.works great now! wish I had spent 11k for a real machine, would have been a bargain. Buy the Bridgeport! A good woodworking web site, woodweb,
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Opinions on Grizzly brand machines
Hettric; Thank you for the reply. Never being too well educated in electrical things, I knew about converers but not much. I don't remember the brand he sells but a local motor shop owner has been a good friend of mine for years thru our addiction to old Farmall tractors. He gave me a crash course on converters, the difference between rotary and static, size needed, etc. So now the plans have changed, I am somehow going to make room for the three phase machines I have and use a 40K rotary converter. The Bridgeport mill I would most like to have is hard to find in single phase, so another hurtle cleared. Enjoy your day. Frank.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Opinions on Grizzly brand machines
Frank,
Could not read your whole reply, but check out americanrotary.com I found them to have the best price,carry everything you might need to hook up(at the best prices),and will help you with any questions, I am very happy with mine.
good luck
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Page [ 1 ] | Thread 139789 Filter by Poster:
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
|
()
Picture of the Day
candoarms
Unanswered Questions
Active Subjects
Hot Topics
Featured Suppliers
|
Gas Generator Weather Protecti
02-15-2007, 23:01 
Digg It 
Del.icio.us 
