Amazon.com Review

When you're ready to step up to the professional woodworking scene, this jointer from Delta helps design your calling card. Materials up to 8 inches wide glide across the cast-iron infeed and outfeed tables. The fence adjusts with rack-and-pinion precision, beveling 45 degrees in and out with positive stops at 90 and 45 degrees to give you the angle your work demands. We appreciate the easy height-adjustment lever that keeps the guide close to the three-blade drum--no matter what the position--through its 1/2-inch range via a parallelogram support structure. Delta realizes the use of heavy machinery carries a great risk of injury; consequently, they designed this jointer with a large, easily accessible on/off paddle switch at shoulder height on the right side. Driven by a 1-1/2-horsepower induction motor for use with a built-in dust collector port, this jointer will complement any woodshop. --Justin Paul ... Read more

Features

• 1-1/2-horsepower, single-phase motor delivers 16,500 cuts per minute for a smooth finish
• Extra-long 42-inch infeed table for supporting long work
• Cast-iron fence tilts 45 degrees in and out with positive stops for easy set up
• Built-in rabbeting ledge allows cuts up to 5/8 of an inch deep

Reviews (19)

Smile every time I use it
I purchased the DJ20 locally, and hauled it home in my station wagon. It was a chore to haul into the shop, but once up on the mobile base it moves around nicely. Decided to wire up a 220 volt outlet rather than run it on 110, which I think helps it start faster. The tool was in great shape, no dings or scratches, and it set up easily, once the preservative stuff was cleaned off. I too was disapointed with the lack of a dust collection port. The response I received from the Delta rep, after complaining, was that Delta left it off, because there were as many people who wanted a 4 inch port, as wanted a 6 or 8 inch. They couldn't satisfy everyone, so they left it off. I was a little disapointed with the primative ablilty to set specific angles with the fence, but once locked down, it seems to stay put. I have done a number of 45 degree joints and they turned out perfect time after time.
I found the machine to be extremely smooth and quiet, no vibration at all, in contrast to some of the other reviews. All I hear is a gentle hummmmm. The cut is clean with no hints of cyclic machining marks. I also regularly use it for small rabbets, on the order of 3/8 inch with no troubles, again in contrast to earlier reviews. I really like the parallogram setup for depth adjustment. I am always playing with depth of cut depending on whether I am just starting with rough wood, or taking my final cut. All I do is unlock, raise or lower the lever, and relock. It takes only a second or so. Everything comes out really FLAT. I know the table is long, but I sill use infeed and outfeed supports for really long boards. I looked at, and ran a number of boards through the Jet, Powermatic, Grizzley and Delta gib based 8 inch jointers before purchasing this one and after almost a year of use still feel I made the right decision. I really do find myself smiling after using it and having it perform as I expected. I would buy it again.

Poor Customer Service
I bought the jointer through Amazon/Tool Crib. Amazon was great - no problems at all. I had initial concerns about how I would get this heavy machine off the truck once it arrived. Consolidated freightways was excellent and couldn't have been more helpful. During the assembly process, I noticed that the jointer tilt gauge had been sheared in half. This is a cheap aluminum part on the fence. The fence was packaged under the heavy jointer and probably sustained the damage there (in crate). I called Delta for a replacement and didn't find them to be particularly concerned. They told me they would send me the part in a week. I called back after ten days and have now been told that it will be another week (I got the impression that this is a standard line). You would think that when you invest [so much] in a product that they would be a little more responsive and concerned than that. This has certainly given me cause to think about future Delta purchases.

Industry Standard
There are three primary requirements that all jointers must meet. 1. The in feed and out feed tables must be perfectly parallel. 2. The fence must form a right angle along it's entire length across both tables (if it doesn't form a right angle there's not much hope in getting it to work at other angles). And finally, 3. The in feed and out feed tables must be long to facilitate accurate straitening of lumber prior to being run through a thickness planer. All of these factors are met and in many ways exceeded by the Delta DJ 20. I've owned mine for 15 years and I can attest that this is the best jointer I have ever used. I've owned two combination jointer thickness planers in the past and neither of these machines came close to the DJ 20 for accuracy in jointing lumber. The mechanisms for either removing or lifting the joiner tables out of the way to use combination machines as a thickness planer effect the accuracy of the jointer tables, regardless of how well or heavily built these machines are (one of my combination machines was a 20" jointer / thicknesser and weighed almost 2000 lbs., horrible jointer, constant problems with table and fence alignment). I would never recommend combination machines to anyone other than a casual weekend warrior with very little workshop space.

The 8 inch capacity may seem limiting, but in reality this is not an issue. The parallelogram mechanism for both the in feed and out feed tables is superior to anything I've ever seen and it makes altering the depth of cut a snap. This machine is a beast as far as weight but a jointer needs to be heavy... really heavy. Nothing is more frustrating than a lightweight jointer "walking away" from you as you try and straighten lumber. My previous shop was in a basement, the DJ 20 slid down the stairs (with three people controlling it) like a dream. However, getting it out was interesting and took four strong men (three at the bottom pushing and one at the top pulling), ramps, dollies, tie down straps and a healthy amount of grunting... it was a miracle the three of us behind the machine came out alive.

One recommendation I would make for anyone considering the purchase of this machine is to get the mobile base. You may have the luxury of a permanent location for this machine, but the mobile base makes moving this monster so much easier. The mobile base also means someone is not reefing on your perfectly aligned in feed and out feed tables to get it to budge. Others have mentioned a problem with vibration. Mine had this issue when I first bought it, but I corrected this by ensuring that the motor and cutter head pulleys are in alignment. Dust collection is not an issue but don't buy the Delta attachment, as others have indicated it is for a 5" diameter hose. Instead buy a $5.00 plastic one and screw it to the cabinet, works just as well if not better.

When I purchased mine it was made in Brazil by Invicta. I'm not sure where the current models are made, but if Delta was smart they would not mess with something that was basically perfect and a standard piece of woodworking equipment in any shop dealing with solid wood. Highly recommended.

One great machine
Without getting technical, I will sum this machine up by simply saying that after one year of regular use, my DJ-20 has performed flawlessly, completing every task I have asked of it to perfection. I could not be happier with it. I've straightened and flatenned many boards with it and I enjoy using it immensely...it is a true pleasure to use and own. I would buy it again and highly recommend it without reservation.

Watch Out!
The stand that accompanies this tool is not necessarily made in America - don't let them tell you otherwise. The base and motor are also manufactured in China. I called Delta and Amazon specifically to ask if the stand and motor were manufactured in the US and they said yes. I asked who made the motor for the 37-350 and they told me one of two american companies. Wrong. I now have paint chipping off of a stand purportedly made in the USA which has "Manufactured in China" printed plainly and clearly on the plates. I give Delta customer service a 1, the base a 2, the motor a 1, and the jointer a 5, resulting in a very favorable score of 2 stars. I buy products made in America, well, I did. WATCH OUT!!! ... Read more

Features

• 1 HP, 120/240-volt induction motor
• Enclosed stand, dust collector connector
• Center-mounted fence, 3-knife cutterhead, cutterhead guard, push blocks
• Five year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories

Reviews (14)

Very good for the price
My jointer arrived via ABF Freight about a week after I ordered it. Assembly was easy, took about an hour. As with any power tool, the initial setup is critical - on jointers, adjusting the outfield table to match the blade height is most important. The outfield table adjustment on this machine is not as smooth as I would like (hence the 4 stars instead of 5), but after adjusting and testing a few times I was able to get it set perfectly. My other (small) issue is the difficulty aligning the pulley and setting belt tension at the same time; Delta uses a double-slot motor adjustment that is not optimal, but is doable. The dust chute can clog if you are not using a dust collection system, so if you start the machine and chips start flying out from under the cutter head guard, it's clogged up -you can reach up the chute and pull out the clog farily easily (with it off of course). Overall however, for the price, it's a good unit.

Deltas 37-275X Xcellent jointer
Purchased this jointer over a Jet. Assembly was easy and the directions precise no missing parts. Degreasing the machine was a bear dont be afraid to spare the brake clean and shop rags. Set up after assembly was not bad. Belt alignment was a little tough because the motor moves up and down and laterally at the same time, but after first blood no problem. The fence was easily squared to table and the fence adjustments are simple and work well. The tables are flat to within acceptable tolerances (.005). The outfeed table was a bit tough to adjust, the adjustment wheel was difficult to move but once freed up the adjustment went quick. The knives from the factory were set perfectly. Once switched on you can hardly tell this machine is running. Smooth cuts are effortless and I have plowed through 16/4 maple and cherry with fine results. When working with 3/4 or 4/4 stock this machine isn't even breathing and the edging is flawless. I just completed two cherry tables and it is hard to tell were the joints are. I have had great results with up to 8' long stock for any thing over this the tables are short and snipe a bit. Overall it is worth the price and I do recommend this jointer, how can you miss with a five year warranty. My shop has a variety of tools and I will consider Delta for my next purchase.

Can you spell cheaply made junk?
I made the mistake of buying a Delta product thinking that there was some quality behind the name.

Wrong.

Out of the box it became apparent that the equipment was sub standard, the paint on the cabinet was stained, the edges of the machined surfaces were chipped and the fit and feel of the geared parts was rough.

I have not tried to use the equipment yet, sill thinking about returning it and buying a better quality item.

You have to wonder if the companies that market products in the US will ever stop placing profit over quality. Obviously Delta Woodworking Tools has not!

I had been looking at a high-end cabinet saw and after getting a load of this Delta Jointer, there is no way that I would even consider wasting my money on one made by this company.

Surfacing Boards in Under 90 Minutes
This jointer has forced me to reconsider my opinion of Delta tools. I've long suspected that Delta made some great products, but you had to take out a second mortgage to afford them. My experience with their lower priced tools has been less than satisfactory to say the least, but they've changed my mind with this jointer. The Amazon price is very competative with most of the Taiwanese brands, especially if you use supersaver shipping, and the quality and design are noticebly better.

The jointer arrived in good condition 10 days after I placed my order. Like many of you, I couldn't wait to use it. During assembly I quickly noticed build quility and design features that set it appart from the no-name jointers I had used in my buddies shops. The best feature, however, was that I had surfaced my first board just an hour and fifteen minutes after starting!

My Dewalt benchtop planer is the only tool I've ever purchased that was properly adjusted from the factory, but the 37-275X was as close as can be expected for a tool that requires assembly. The positive stops for the fench were the only thing I adjusted. The knives were a few thousandths out from one end to another, though consistent for all three. Normally, I would have tried to adjust this out, but I was curious to see what affect it would have on a board. I surfaced two sides of a 4/4 x 5" piece of pine and I couldn't detect a problem with my best straight edge and square. I'll be adjusting them soon enough as they wear from use, so I'm going to leave them as-is for now.

I may have gotten lucky, but I've never been more satisfied with a tool purchase.

Mine had problems, decided to return
Unfortunately, my 6" X5 jointer started off in bad shape. The motor would only spin up half the time. I adjusted belt tension and pulley alignment properly with no improvement. The fence was off by .008" after all possible adjustments. The fence handles never tightened properly, just spun in the cast iron. There were a few other more minor issues. Delta directed me to a local repair shop to fix the motor. This shop wanted me to load the entire machine instead of just swapping the motor so I decided that if I was loading it up I would do it once and return it. I own other Delta products that I am very happy with and plan to buy one of their drill presses this week. But, for this tool I decided to replace this jointer with the Jet unit which is working great. Given all the positive reviews of this jointer, I can understand if this was a one-off bad unit that I got. Hope it works out better for you. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Here’s a top-of-the-line jointer that’s equally comfortable in the professional’s shop or the home woodworking workshop. Its weight offers the stability the professionals and dedicated woodworker demand, and you can’t help but admire its bounty of high-end features. Our favorite feature is probably the extra-long infeed table, at a remarkable 42 inches. Like others in its class, it has three cutterheads, rather than two, but unlike others we’ve used, these knives adjust quickly and easily, thanks to Delta’s jackscrew arrangement. The 5-inch-high fence tilts smoothly and easily, and the rabbeting ledge makes a nice generous 5/8 max rabbet. You won’t be short on power with the 1-1/2 horse single phase motor that’s completely enclosed in the cabinet, where it stays clear of shavings and sawdust. We like the placement of the power controls, right where you need them should you have to shut down quickly. The bed is smooth as glass, and using it is an absolute pleasure.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Center locking fence
• 3-knife cutterhead module
• Cutterhead guard with wrenches
• Rabbeting ledge, tilting fence
• Push blocks and two pulleys

Reviews (3)

I should have bought this jointer in the first place!
This jointer is priced at the high end of the 8" class - a fact I had to come to terms with before I finally made the "plunge". In my mind, I've always downplayed the role of a good jointer until I started serious woodworking last year. When I set up my shop I purchased a 6" jointer with a short bed, in an attempt to save some money. I've wanted a larger, more precise jointer ever since then. After quite a bit of deliberation, I finally decided not to risk another disapointment and purchased the X5.

Be ware - watch who you listen to. A salesperson at one of the local woodworking stores told me that the X5 units were made in the USA to tighter tolerances than the standard units. I can't speak for the tolerances but, my X5 was not made in the USA and it turned out that their floor model wasn't either!

The main jointer casting was crated and packed extremely well. The base was cardboard boxed with little packing, making the sheet metal easily subject to shipping damage. Fortunately, mine made it through the shipping process just fine.

I did have to work out one problem: I noticed a large "knot" at drive belt, at the seam/joint when I first assembled the unit. The knot in the belt contributed to an extremely high vibration. I installed one of those red link belts. I'd read about their ability to drastically reduce vibration and folks who use them, swear by them. Again - I'm a believer! Nearly all the vibration went away after installing the new belt.

As I said, I haven't measured the tolerances but I am pleased with how this jointer operates. In my mind, it's been worth the cost to move up to this unit.

A new favorite in my workshop
I own several woodworking machines by Delta, Powermatic and others. This is one machine, however, that I really felt compelled to write a review on. I recently upgraded to this machine from a Delta 37-195 6" Professional Jointer which I was, for the most part, very happy with. I made the switch for two reasons; length of the infeed/outfeed tables and weight of the unit. At only 200+ pounds, the 6" jointer had a tendency of not staying in its place when edge jointing larger boards and securing it permanently to the floor in my basement shop was not an option. The only real issue with the DJ-20 was getting it into a basement workshop based on its bulky size and overall weight of around 500lbs. This was done with 3 people and a large capacity appliance dolly. With minimal setup time, I was absolutely amazed at the difference between this jointer and the 6" Delta I was used to. Overall, depth adjustments are much simpler and more accurate, due to the smoothness at which the infeed table moves. The accuracy and power of this machine makes even face jointing 8" hardwood stock a simple task. The amount of chipout as compared to other jointers is minimal. I am amazed at how quickly I can square up a board to a near perfect 90 degrees EVERY time no matter how rough the stock initially was. The bottom line is that I purchased this mahcine for its weight and infeed/outfeed length, but ended up with the larger capacity and an entirely new level of accuracy. The possibilities that this jointer have opened up to me will bring my woodworking to the next level. The free mobile base (mail in coupon included with the unit) is a great feature as well.

Top of the line
I have only had this jointer a short time, but it is great. It will face surface full 8" wide boards effortlessly. Edge joints are exactly 90. Proper setup takes some time and you will need someone to help you lift the jointer onto the stand. Overall, it is a great jointer. I would purchase it again. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

The first time you run a workpiece through this jointer, you'll know thesatisfaction that precision brings. You'll be surfacing pieces as wide as 6-1/8 inches witha maximum pass depth of 1/8 inch over a 2-1/2-inch, three-blade cutterhead. If you'veused a benchtop jointer in the past, you'll love stepping up to the JT360, with its 46-inchbed and 4-7/8-inch fence that tilts to 45 degrees--in and out--for beveling and chamfering.Positive stops are at 45 and 90 degrees. The bed is cast iron, and the infeed and outfeedtables operate smoothly on the gibbed dovetail ways. What's nice about moving up to thismodel is its 1/2-inch rabbeting capacity, perfect for picture frame moldings and lots ofother projects. We're even impressed with the stand's solid, wide footprint andcomfortable 33-inch height. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 2-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• Heavy duty 3/4-horsepower, 115/23-Volt, single-phase induction-type motor
• Cast iron wedge bed design for solid support with fully adjustable infeed and outfeed tables that operate on gibbed dovetail ways to compensate for wear
• Lever-actuated infeed table, with lock handle, for quick, easy height adjustment
• Removable on-off switch to prevent unauthorized use of machine

Reviews (9)

Outstanding
I took this machine home, had it set up in an hour or two and was on my way (TAKE YOUR TIME). I decided to really put it
to the test by face jointing two 5' lengths of 6" wide jatoba (brazilian cherry... One of the hardest woods in the
world). This machine was able to smoothly take 1/8 inch from the jatoba with one pass for a perfect joint. Also,
out of the box this jointer was perfectly configured. Fence was right on, infeed and outfeeds were perfect as
well as absolutely flat. Since this test, I've used the jointer extensively and am still using the factory blade edges.
Another "should-mention" is the fact that there is absolutely no vibration at all, and this is with the standard poly v-belt.
I just can't say anything negative about this jointer. One of my most confident and satisfied purchases yet!

Rick Hogue
I purchased this jointer about 6 weeks ago and I'm returning it to Lowe's tomorrow. First, this thing vibrates so bad when running there's no way it could make a smooth cut. I adjusted the belt several times, no help. Second, it wouldn't cut a straight line for anything. I checked all the settings, everything is right on, blades are the right height, tables are parallel, everything is as it should be. It just won't make a straight edge and the more you run the piece through the more concave it gets. I even ran a perfectly straight piece through it and it did the same to it. The tables are out of flatness a little but not enough to cause this I wouldn't think. At least I don't have to dissassemble it before I return it. Think I'll give Jet a try.

Still building...
This takes a little time to assemble. As a favor to other purchasers of this unit, I am recommending the following. Be sure and have on-hand a good socket set w/ 12-14mm sockets and an extension; preferably one of those hinged automotive ones. Small wrenches are included, but I have absolutely NO idea how one would accomplish final tightening of all bolts w/out a socket. Also, be sure and read thru the steps, then think them thru and reorganize them. If you simply followed steps exactly as laid out in the manual, you would end uo covering up important bolts that are used in later steps for adjustment. My two cents. Can't wait to get it running. Along w/ the Delta mobile base, this has become a significant assembly project. My table saw was nuttin' by comparison... I give 4 stars because everything is there, nothing is busted, and the unit is built like a brick latrine. WHile a long-time Amazon customer, I too bought this at WW. Their price is presently a hundred dollars less than toolcrib.

good machine for the price
Purchased this machine at woodworkerswarehouse. They had on sale for $349.00 and got 10% off that with credit card purchase. ($317.27) Not bad. Of course when I got everything together on the machine a small piece of the outfeed table adjuster was cracked and useless. Took everything back to the store even though I live near a Delta store and they took it back with no problem. Got a brand new machine with no questions asked. The machine is great to use and have no problems as of yet.

JT360
I just purchased this jointer on the weekend, and have only had time to set it up and make a quick test cut. The set-up took me a couple of hours alone, and I had help lifting the jointer body onto the stand. All of the parts were there, and nothing is missing. There is a lot of grease on the table and blades so it can be a bit messy getting everything assembled.
The price of this unit was a pretty good deal. As an average home woodworker I expect it to last a very long time. I wish it was 1hp instead of 3/4, but I don't know yet if that will make a huge difference for me.
I ran a piece of maple through it an was very impressed by the clean, true edge that was produced. ... Read more

Features

• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 1 1/2-hp induction motor for powerful cutting
• Large cast iron 72-inch infeed and outfeed tables to support longer stock
• Will handle a full 8 inch wide work piece for face jointing
• Center-mounted fence for easy adjustment

Reviews (11)

An Aircraft Carrier in the garage
...P>The jointer was very well packaged and would likely suvive an around the world trip with no problems. Steel tubing embedded in the styrofoam packaging ensured this.

Setup took about 4 hours, most of it spent cleaning protective grease and inspecting parts. It was an easy process requiring the assistance of at least one other fit person to place the jointer on its stand. I'd recommend four total people do this lifting to do it safely and easily. Only one issue was found. The pulley on the motor was found to have excessive runout, and Delta quickly shipped me another under warranty.

Tha machine works beautifully once assembled and aligned. Only minor adjustments were needed, and the knives were set perfectly out of the box. I have no dust collection connected to this unit yet, and it creates massive piles of chips.

As a test, I face jointed an 8" piece of Walnut with some figure at one end and the machine created a perfectly flat, smooth surface in two passes. Edge jointing went very well also with the massive infeed and fence system.

I am very glad I decided on this machine. It compares favorably price-wise with Jet models, and much cheaper than Powermatic. The American made motor is very quiet and powerful.

Overall a great machine, and I gave it a 4, but the bent pulley is all that kept it from being a five.

DJ20 too expensive? Consider this one...
If you talk to anyone with a six inch jointer, they will most likely tell you: a) they don't know how they got along without it, and b) they wish they had a 8 inch machine. I do woodworking solely as a hobby, but was considering Deltas top of the line DJ20 8" jointer when they released this wedge bed unit in the fall of 1999. Although not cheap, it should fit the budget of many serious woodworkers looking for a larger 8" jointer. The benefit of the lager machine is not only the ability to face joint boards wider than 6", but the long tables as well. The motor and stand are built here in the USA while the top unit is assembled in China. I was concerned about its Chinese origin at first but haven't had any problems thus far (expect to have a couple of strong friends help you lift the upper unit onto the base, it's H-E-A-V-Y). It has a huge rack and pinion fence (slightly larger than the DJ20 even) and I really like the location of the on/off switch on a raised pedestal. The outfeed table is locked in position by a smallish looking screw but seems to hold its adjustment just fine (that's my only dislike about the machine). The cutterhead has a jackscrew knife adjustment like any other top of the line jointer. Some people don't like lever adjustments for the infeed table, but I can easily and quickly set mine in increments of 1/64 " and prefer the convenience of a lever over a wheel (the outfeed table is adjusted by a wheel for precise alignment with the blades). A bit of advice: The fence guide rail sticks out quite a bit, and can be a bit of a hazard when rolling the machine around on a mobile base. The cap from the leg of an old ironing board fits over it perfectly and offers a little bit of protection. I was even able to get a brand new cap at a very well stocked hardware where I live (Turner Hardware in Dallas). If you desire an 8" machine, this one is well worth the money. If money is no object, look at the DJ20...

An Adventure in Assembly
I picked up the unit at the truck terminal because their forklift could load it on a pickup which can be backed up to the shop door. No shipping damage whatsoever that I could see. The mobile base was a big help. We set up the base cabinet and mobile base first and then took everything except the jointer out of the long box. We slit the box sides and were able to turn the jointer on its side to clean it up and get rid of the styrofoam. Using cardboard, we slid it from the truck bed onto the base to save on lifting. Uh oh, the motor was supposed to be mounted at the factory;It was not and hard to get to as well. The manual and pics say to adjust the belt tension with the motor mounts--not true. The frame bars are moved, not the motor mounts. Never could get the spring on the guard to tension and will ask for a replacement for that. Just a simple adjustment to square the fence at 90 deg to the table. The tables were in perfect alignment as were the knives. I had a scrap piece of alder bowed on 2 sides. The jointer took almost all of the bow out before I decided to cut a few inches off the ends. All 4 sides are smooth as glass. Even though the beast is made in China, it's very good quality compared to some of my other machines made there. I'm very happy with it and would have given 5 stars if the motor had been installed and the manual written correctly. Yes, I read the manual and think that it should be written correctly and the pictures, too. The machine is very stable on the mobile base which is really a heavy duty model. I did buy mine from ToolCrib via phone because I had some questions which were answered okay. This is a much better place to write reviews rather than trying to search for them on the various woodworking forums. It's oh so much easier to find the reviews here than other places. Hope y'all will help us out with your review as well. Thanks!
Update: I got a replacement spring for the guard assembly in less than 24 hrs. from Delta. Now that's service!

Rock solid and worth the money
I have had my DJ-380 for about 8 months and have nothing but praise for it.
It was packed well and arrived in great condition. I did feel as though I had pulled a double shift at the local Jiffy Lube by the time I removed all the grease and oil from the machine.
Assembly was straight forward and easy.
I never had to contact Delta on this machine, however, when I did contact them in the past, I always found them very helpful and prompt.
The dust collection system could use some improvment - only gets rid of about half the chips.
Adjustments are easy and precise and the location on the off/on switch is great.
I would recommend this machine in a heartbeat.

I only wish I could report to you.
Unforutnately I can't tell you how this jointer works. The second time I turned it on after assembly, the motor burned out. An extremely surly and unsympathetic woman at Delta told me I had to detach the motor and take it to an approved repair store 40 miles away. The last repair job I entrusted to this outlet took three months. So, I sit with an unusable piece of equipment and am out the money to boot. Wish I had gone for the Powermatic.
An update: It took six weeks to get the new motor. When I hooked it back up, someone had cut away some of the power cord so I had to rig an extension to get the on/off switch to fit the support arm. The jointer works fine now, but what an ordeal! ... Read more

Product Description

For demanding professionals who need absolute dependability in their milling process. Grizzly has produced this giant of the jointer world. Advanced features such as rack-and-pinion fence adjustment and conveniently located on/off switch sets this behemoth apart from others in its class. A real workhorse. ... Read more

Features

• Cutterhead knives: 3
• Motor: 3 H.P., 220V, single phase
• Precision ground cast iron table surface is heat treated for hardness
• Rabbeting capacity: 3/4" deep
• Table measures 12" x 75-3/8"

Features

• Front and rear safety knife guide
• Extra long (9 w by 66-1/2-inch L) cast iron bed
• Three-knife cutter head
• 2hp, 1ph, 230-volt motor
• Easy-to-read infeed depth scale

Reviews (5)

LOOK ELSEWHERE IF YOU WANT GOOD SERVICE
I recently purchased the 8" jointer from jet after a good deal of research. When it arrived, the finish was o.k. It looked good, except for the front of the machine which was quite rough and had not been ground down after casting. Otherwise, it is a great looking tool.
I finally got it put together and wired up (about four hours total). I turned it on and it jumped to life. When I say jumped, I mean it started abruptly with a jerk, instead of smoothly and gradually. It also sputtered as it turned off. Upon further inspection and after smelling burning rubber, I opened it back up to have a look. There were black shavings all over the back of the machine, which turned out to be the belt.
I called the Jet service number. The guy told me to take apart the motor to tighten a set screw that was supposed to have been factory set. Very time consuming. That wasn't the problem. I called back and he told me to readjust all the pulleys and belts, which I had already done before calling. I did it again and that wasn't the problem either. He said he would send out a local Jet rep to look at it. Well that was four weeks ago. Not only was no rep sent out, the original service rep whom I had spoken with stopped returning my calls, would not answer repeated messages, and basically ignored me for a month. Finally, I got fed up and left a message in no uncertain terms that he needed to call me back that day because I needed this thing to work. It was jurting my business and it had been over a month. I said if they would not help me, then I wanted to return the machine. Only then did he get in touch with a local rep.
This guy called me the same day. I told him about the chunky motor and the black shavings. Guess what, he told me that the engine performance was normal and the belt could continue grinding itself away until it finds it's "natural position" - for up to a year. I find both of these things hard to beleive. At this point, however, because of the month of unreturned calls, it was apparently too late to get a refund or a new motor from Jet. You would think such a well known company would make more of an effort to satisfy it's customers.
I also own a Powermatic 66 saw, a Record lathe, a Craftsman bandsaw and a Rugged planer. None of the other tools in my furniture shop start or stop roughly at all, only the jet. I feel that I have now exhausted all of my options and am stuck with a tool that is slowly grinding itself away and service techs that could not care less. If I had it to do over, I would have gone with the Delta.

A great jointer with a couple of minor comments
Overall this is a great machine and I am glad to add this one to my woodworking tools. Putting it together is not easy, just the top weighs about 350 lbs. and you will need some help carrying this thing on top the stand. After securing in place everything should be easy with the exception of the belts which was not preset very well at least in my machine, so I have to loosen the motor mount base and slide for adjustment. It's like working in your car's motor. The manual wiring diagram did not match the motor wire color coding, so I have to call Jet for help, they are very helpful and will explain everything so you could hook it up. I don't blame them for not giving a male plug cord end since there's a lot of plug pattern to guess from. You will need to wire the shop for 240V. I am very happy with the machine, it works very well, and the long bed is really a good choice if you have the space.

Misma and Electrical
Make sure that you're manual's model# and picture match, and then, BEFORE you start putting it together, you need to check that all the wiring for your motor is finished and installed like it is in the instruction manual!!! It is a great tool, that performs and the fit and finish are excellent, BUT, ours was not wired as the manual said, so it got put together, and then we realized that there was no hardwiring (cord and plug),to the motor. For the price, I think that Jet should update the manual AND, at least,send the necessary cord and plug. I did not call Jet, so I don't know for sure why our jointer arrived without any wiring. The 4 stars is due to the above, the jointer itself has already proven that Jet was a good choice.

ONE STAR for POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP
I expected a lot more from Jet. Here are the problems that I had:

1.) the jointer had a CROOK at the end of the infeed table. That's unimaginable but it's true!
2.) the top of the cabinet had several DENTS on ALL FOUR CORNERS of its top. It looked as though someone used a HAMMER to shape out the corners of the cabinet.

I was so dissappointed with the finish of my jointer since I spent so much time and research debating on which one to buy.

That said, I'll be packing it up to exchange it for a new one.

I give "fit and finish" ONE star. I'll save my performance review for after I receive my replacement.

Great Support
Nothing but praise for Jet's support and quality of the product. I purchased the Jointer in December and finished my workshop in March. After I installed the Jointer, I realized that one of the parts was damaged during shipping. I called Amazon and they couldn't help me because it was past 45 days and referred me to two local repair shops. After many unaswered calls, I finally called Jet directly. They said no problem and shipped the replacement part.

Make sure you have someone to help you put the Jointer together, it is heavy. Directions were easy to follow and made sense. High praise for this product and company. ... Read more

Product Description

Precision-cast and crafted, the G1018 offers outstanding jointing accuracy and long-lasting dependability that's second-to-none. It's not surprising that many of our customers order two or three more for their shops after seeing how this machine performs. There are several thousands of these in production shops around the country! ... Read more

Features

• 3 H.S.S. knives are 8" x 1/8" x 1"
• Beds slide on dovetailed ways
• Includes jack screws and accessory spring kit
• Powerful 1-1/2 H.P., 220V single phase motor easily plows through hardwoods
• Shipping weight approx. 450 lbs.

Product Description

If your smaller projects can't justify the expense of a stationery jointer, we have the perfect jointer for you! Whatever the size of your project, quality work demands the function of a jointer. Edges will glue up tighter, corners will line up straighter and your whole project will go together more smoothly. ... Read more

Features

• 1 H.P., 110/220V, single phase, ball bearing motor, prewired 110V
• 3-knife ball bearing cutterhead
• Infeed and outfeed tables have precision handwheels for convenient table height adjustment
• Steel stand has built-in chip chute
• Table size: 6" x 47"

Reviews (3)

Great First Jointer!
I love this jointer. It was very good, but not perfect out of the box, which is why I am giving it a 4 instead of a 5 stars. Specifically, there were a few (very minor) scratches on the out feed table. The blemishes are really just enough to take away from the almost-mirror-finish on the rest of the tabletop and fence. Also, the knives needed a little adjustment to take out a minute amount of snipe that would occur near the end of a work piece.

The criteria that drew me to this purchase were 1) price, 2) features, and 3) Grizzly's reputation for great customer service. I feel that for the price, you can't beat the features that come with this jointer. I haven't had to call Grizzly because of a performance reason, but feel confident that if I did, they'd resolve it in a timely manner that I would find satisfactory.

Probably the most influential design feature I've found useful since I've had this machine is adjustable nature of all the parts. The v-belt tension, in feed table, out feed table, knives and fence are highly adjustable and can be 'tweaked' until a perfect finish is obtained.

Not to be too positive... I'll take a second to knock the instruction manual. I found it to be lacking in detail with respect to the out of the box setup for the machine. I had never put a jointer together before and made a few wrong turns when putting the cabinet together. They weren't major issues, but I feel that with better instructions I would not have made those wrong turns whereby wasting time. The instructions were, at times, vague and misleading. I don't think that this is a big deal, though. It's clearly identifiable as the piece comes together. Beside, if you read tool reviews for the various brands of woodworking equipment, you'll find one common thread; nobody likes instruction manuals. Every major brand has a least one person that knocks the instructions. I'm not the first one to do it to Grizzly.

So far, I'm very satisfied and would almost rate this a perfect buy if not for the aforementioned items. The one question left is how will it hold up over time. We'll see! I'll get back to this review if I have any updates about durability/reliability.

Good for the Money
First off, realize that you are purchasing 220lbs of steel. This is a big hunk of machinery not to be confused with a bench tool by any means.

I agree with desert_woodworker's points about the instructions for assembly and the cabinet. Both leave a lot of room for improvement. The instructions are both confusing and incomplete. The cabinet is lightweight for the beast it needs to support. The belt is a bugger to get set where it needs to be. The way the motor is mounted on the underside of the chip chute leaves much to be desired.

Either he got bad blades or I got good ones, but I have no nicks to complain about and this is after running a couple hundred board feet through the machine.

Probably the most tedious part of the setup was cleaning the protective wax off all the machined surfaces. I wound up employing the judicious use of a chisel to get the bulk of it off and finishing with steel wool,

This machine delivers though once done with the aggravation of getting is set up. Once set up, squared, depth checked and all that boring stuff, it cuts like butter, perfectly square, no sniping, perfectly flat. Cuts a mighty fine 45 angle too.

If I were to have the choice again, I would spring for a preassembled cabinet model.

Poor Quality Control
I read the reviews in woodworking magazines stating Grizzly products do not have as good "fit and finish" as other brands. I took this to mean not so many bells and whistles and maybe not as polished a finish as other brands. I just wanted flat boards and I don't put too much emphasis on how pretty a machine is, so I bought the machine. Unfortunately, I think what reviewers really meant was that the quality control on Grizzly products is not quite there.

The tool came extraordinarily well packaged. I think it could survive a ten-foot drop. Putting the machine together was frustrating at best. I have been generally disappointed with assembly instructions for tools, but careful reading and thinking through the assembly usually cures the inadequacy. The instructions for this tool, however, were especially bad. My neighbor assisted me in the assembly and the instructions had us both stumped at times. Through trial and error we did eventually get the machine together and set to use after about 6 hours. Way too long for a simple machine like this.

As far as particular concerns. First, if you decide to buy a Grizzly jointer get the next model up the food chain. The screw-together, light-gauge steel base on this model is flimsy when it is assembled and if you must remove the back (which provides structural stiffness) as we did several times to adjust the motor alignment, the stand flexes so much I think it could buckle. The second item I had issues with is the blade guard. The hole that the shaft of the blade guard drops into was misaligned with the hole on the return spring mechanism so badly that I could not install the guard at all. If I did not need to flatten some mahogany for a mantle project, I would have stopped right there. Foolish me, I tried to fix the problem. I took off the return mechanism, inserted the guard and then reinstalled the return mechanism. I now had the guard in place, but the resulting friction kept the guard from returning over the blade. I tried to put an extra turn on the spring and it snapped. Even considering my stupidity in this process, spring steel should not snap that easily. Just poor quality metal and poor QC that resulted in the holes not lining up better.

The third item relates to the blades. I gave a test pass with a piece of pine. Worked great. Not a super smooth finish on the board, but it was flat. Ran a couple of my mahogany boards over and they came out nice and flat. Unfortunately, after about 25 linear feet of 6 inch wide mahogany (not too hard), there was a nick in the blades. I rechecked all the boards I flattened, assuming there was a nail or something in one of the boards, but I found nothing. Ran another board I knew had nothing that should nick a blade and to my surprise, another nick in the blades appeared. My conclusion is the blades are just garbage. Again, poor quality steel.

I have not contacted Grizzly yet about the problems, so I can't comment on their customer service, which is supposed to be great. I am not ready to write-off Grizzly yet, but I certainly can't recommend this jointer simply because the base is just plain inadequate. On the positive side though, the tables were dead on flat and remained parallel when changing the depth of cut. The machine appears to do what it is supposed to do(flatten stock) as long as the blades are sharp. ... Read more

Product Description

We really have outdone ourselves this time. For under $800 dollars, this 8" jointer provides a 2 HP motor, a 4 blade cutterhead for smooth finishes, an extra long 75" bed, handwheel controlled table adjustments and a 4" dust port. We designed this jointer from our time tested Model G1018 and it is whole-heartily approved by our quality control staff and our overseas engineers. If you are a demanding woodworker and your budget won't allow you to step up to our "Ultimate" Series jointers, then you must put this jointer at the top of your list. We guarantee you won't be disappointed! ... Read more

Features

• Approximate shipping weight: 461 lbs.
• Beds slide on dovetailed ways
• Motor: 2 HP, 110V/220V, single-phase, TEFC capacitor start induction
• Powerful 2 HP, 110V/220V single-phase motor easily plows through hardwoods
• Table measures 8" x 75" (including two 5" precision ground cast iron extensions)

Reviews (1)

Great Buy
I looked at all the 8 inch jointers I could find and settled on this one because of the reasonable price and 4 cutter head, a new feature for 8 inch jointers. When I received it, I borrowed a Starrett straight edge from work and measured the surfaces of the jointer table and fence. They all were flat within 1 to 3 thousands of an inch in any direction. That's outstanding for a 75 in long table! I called Grizzly for some touchup paint and a technical question on the airflow for the vaccuum and they were very helpful each time. They also sent out two new belts when the ones that came with the unit weren't exactly the same length once connected to the motor and pulley on the cutter head. I am very pleased with it's cutting ability. The fence setting mechanism for 90 degree is the only thing that could use some improvement. Good machine for the price. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

For those seeking a midsize jointer for the long haul, this 6-inch model is a great find suitable for the professional workplace or serious home woodshop. Powered by Delta's trusted 1-horsepower induction motor, the three-blade drum spins quietly in its cast-iron bed. Adjusting with rack-and-pinion precision, the fence tilts 45 degrees in and out with positive stops at 90 and 45 degrees for beveling and chamfering applications. Delta realizes the use of heavy machinery carries a great risk of injury; consequently, they designed this jointer with a large, easily accessible on/off paddle switch at shoulder height on the right side--a feature for which we have much respect. Thanks to industrial-grade infeed and outfeed tables, even longer 6-inch-wide planks get the support they need as you remove up to 1/2 of an inch of material to the collection port on each pass. So you want to increase your edge on the competition? Delta feels the same way. --Justin Paul ... Read more

Features

• Powerful one-horsepower motor for efficient cutting
• Extra large center mounted cast iron fence with rack and pinion adjustment
• Three knife cutterhead provides 14,400 cuts per minute for a smooth finish
• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories

Reviews (38)

Good Idea, Mediocre Execution...
This jointer is well-thought-out. But... when it came time to manufacture the unit, Delta obviously forgot the Quality Control part of the equation. My unit has a twisted fence that's also cupped from top to bottom. I'd recommend not ordering this machine unless you can actually see the one you're going to receive and spend some time on the fence with a good straight-edge.

I went through 4 separate fences and kept the "straightest of the lot." It's still not straight, and I finally got tired of dealing with Delta on this matter.

Having said that, the rest of the machine is great. The tables are flat and coplanar, and the motor, stand, and switch are all great. The overall finish of the unit is good.

Having the fence ground flat at a machine shop makes this a worthwhile option in the jointer market... but c'mon... how hard can it be to get 'em right to start with? Apparently very hard, 'cause Delta's sure let a lot of warped fences hit the streets.

Bottom line? If I were buying another 6" jointer, I'd consider another model... In fact, my advice to you is to avoid this unit until it earns the reputation for quality.

Excellent Quality & Value
After months of comparisons, I finally bought the Delta 37-195 last week. The fence on this jointer is taller and longer, as is the infeed-outfeed beds than the nearest competitor. The width of the table bed is wide and supports 1/2" rabbetting cabability. The fence adjustment mechanism glides effortlessly. The fit and finish of the Delta 37-195 is superior, and the easy lever action adjusts the depth of cut smoothly. You will be most satisfied with this machine!!

Fence Biggest Drawback
If it were not for the cheap, cast aluminum fence I would recommend this. I think if you search enough you'll see that this is the single biggest complaint about this.

Suggestion: hold off until you can afford the next Delta model up (I believe that is the 360). It may be 2X the price, but well worth it. Also, the Ridgid is an outstanding buy at $399.00.

works for me.
i,ve been using this jointer for about two months now and it is a real joy to use. i,ve heard the other reviews that were not to good, but mine is just great.

What's with the pulleys not aligning?
After doing my homework (reading many reviews of 6" jointers in woodworking publications as well this forum), I settled on the Delta. The Jet had caught my eye (I have 3 other Jet machines, and have been impressed with their Quality Control), but in the end I opted for the Delta.

There is no question this is a great 6" jointer, as other reviewers have said. However, there is a design flaw (are you listening, Delta?) mentioned by other reviewers.

Why should I have to reverse the pulleys to get the belt properly aligned? ESPECIALLY SINCE SETUP INSTRUCTIONS EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR PROPER ALIGNMENT! There, I feel better.

I also have another minor complaint with setup. The third bolt that attaches to the base through the dust chute could be a challenge for big armed, big handed guys. I managed, with very little wiggle room.

Overall, results with this jointer are impressive. Out of the box, the Delta performed flawlessly. No question, I'd give this product 5 stars, if not for the above-mentioned gripes.

I highly recommend purchasing a Delta 22-580K 13" planer to complement the jointer. I did, with no regrets. Now that's a fine product, worthy of 5 stars.

At the end of the day, the jointer and planer make a fine team.
Get past the setup, and this jointer will perform very well for you. No question. ... Read more

Product Description

We've taken the best and made it better. The Z-Series Jointers offer more muscular cabinet style stands, much like our top-of-the-line 8" jointers. The G1182Z includes quick adjustment table levers while the G1182ZHW offers the predictability of handwheel adjustment. Whatever your preference, when you want selection, we deliver! Both models include a built-in chip chute that can easily be adapted for dust collection systems. ... Read more

Features

• 1 H.P., 110/220V, single phase, ball bearing motor, prewired to 110V
• 3-knife ball bearing cutterhead
• Infeed and outfeed tables have quick-adjustment levers for convenient table height adjustment
• Super heavy-duty, center-mounted fence is 4" x 29-1/4"
• Table size: 6" x 47"

Reviews (3)

good workhorse
set it up ,turned it on and have had good results for the past year. highly recommend this item.

Great jointer, great price
Setup: 4 stars
Use: 5 stars

People now inquiring about Grizzly jointers unfortunately have very few resources for researching the Grizzly setup and use issues because Amazon doesn't carry the old models and appears to have deleted the reviews on them as well. Those reviews were mostly favorable but there were, and still are, some issues which have carried over to the new models.

This model is, of course, manufactured in Taiwan but apparently not in one of the ISO 9001 shops because there is no claim stating so. That doesn't appear to affect the Grizzly quality much except for the continuing problem with the cutterhead guard. The hole in the table is milled slightly too small so the guard does not spring back until you grind the post which goes into the hole. After removing some extra metal the guard and spring work just fine. This is very Delta-like in having to modify by grinding prior to use. The insulting part of this continuing problem was the tech rep who, during my pre-purchase interrogation, stated explicitly that the problem had been fixed. I much prefer that fabrication be applied to the proper fit of the parts rather than the embellishment of the sales pitch.

The Taiwanese have evidently interned at Delta's grease plant because the unpainted parts were well coated with very similar stuff and it took about 2 hours to remove it, including down inside the cutterhead and the knives. It also siezed the bolts used to set the 90 and 45 degree stops so thoroughly that the wrench wouldn't budge the nut, slipped, and rounded the corners. The stand on this one is already assembled so all that is needed is a strong assistant to heft the table onto the base. The pulleys were, amazingly, aligned and needed no further adjustment.

A convenient accessory included with this jointer is a jig to set the knives in the cutterhead. It claims .002 accuracy. The knives did need readjusting but the jig makes it easy. Previous reviewers have complained about the quality of the stock Grizzly high-speed steel knives so I will probably purchase carbide knives from Freud if I experience the same knicking problems. Dust hood is included (listening Delta?).

I will update the review when I use it more extensively and can contribute a comprehensive assesment of the cut quality. Until something proves my instinct wrong, this should be every budget-conscious woodworker's jointer because it is every bit as good as other popular, more expensive models. Further, American Woodworker needs to update their 1998 review of jointers. The Grizzly they bashed six years ago should easily hold it's own with the Jet and Delta.

Grizzly G1182ZHW 6" x 47" Super Heavy-Duty Jointer
I bought this jointer about 8 months ago from Grizzly and it has performed flawlessly. After each couple of uses I have checked my boards for square using a starrett combination tool and this machine joints absolutely sqaure each time.
It was easy to set up but really requires 2 people to pick up the cutter/bed assembly onto the one piece stand. The dust collection works the best of any tool I have. I use an Oneida cyclone and it leaves virtually no chips or dust anywhere. I can't say the same about my other shop tools. As a hobbyist woodworker and probably use this tool 3 times a week. I will likely buy a larger jointer in the future from Grizzly as the results and price are tough to beat. ... Read more

Product Description

This top-of-the-line industrial duty 6" jointer has features never before available in this price range. Post-mounted magnetic switch with indicator light adds safety and convenience. Extra heavy-duty steel cabinet with built-in dust chute makes for an exceptionally stable and quiet operation. Levers for table adjustment offer faster and easier height changes. And only Grizzly offers both jack-screw and spring loaded knives so you can set the knives the way you prefer. ... Read more

Features

• 1 HP, 110/220V, single-phase, ball bearing motor, prewired 110V (switch is 110V only)
• 3-knife ball bearing cutterhead
• Table size: 6" x 47"
• Handwheels adjust both table heights

Product Description

We really have outdone ourselves this time. We designed this jointer from our time tested model G1018 and it is wholeheartedly approved by our quality control staff and our overseas engineers. If you are a demanding woodworker and your budget won't allow you to step up to our "Ultimate" Series jointers, then you must put this jointer at the top of your list. Spiral cutterhead dramatically reduces tear out in figured wood and leaves a glass smooth surface on many species of wood. We know you won't be disappointed! Features include: Double V-belt drive; Shielded and lubricated bearings; 31-1/4" floor-to-table height; 75" overall length, 24-1/2" overall width; magnetic, 220V only, safety switch protects the motor and the operator; fully adjustable infeed and outfeed tables; 1/2" maximum depth of cut; infeed table has a rabbeting edge; super heavy-duty cast iron beds are electronically stress relieved to remove warpage, then milled together on a jig and precision ground to a mirror-like finish; heavy-duty center mounted fence is lever operated with positive stops and locks; beds slide on dovetailed ways; gibs can be adjusted to take up wear; spiral cutterhead with indexable inserts; approximate shipping weight of 484 lbs. ... Read more

Features

• Cuts per minute: 22,000
• Cutterhead: 3" diameter, 5500 RPM
• Maximum depth of cut: 1/2"; maximum width of cut: 8".
• Motor: 2 HP, 110V/220V, 60 Hz, 24/12 Amps, 3450 RPM, single-phase, TEFC capacitor start induction
• Table size: 8" X 75" (including two 5" precision ground cast iron extensions)

Features

• 4 Inch Dust Port Included
• 3/4 HP Motor
• 46 Inch Long Bed
• 3 Knives in The Cutterhead
• Rabbet up to 1/2 Inch

Product Description

Precision-cast and crafted, the G1018 offers outstanding jointing accuracy and long-lasting dependability that's second-to-none. It's not surprising that many of our customers order two or three more for their shops after seeing how this machine performs. There are several thousands of these in production shops around the country! ... Read more

Features

• 3-knife cutterhead is 3" in diameter and runs in shielded, pre-lubricated ball bearings
• Both infeed and outfeed tables are fully adjustable
• Includes jack screws and accessory spring kit
• Powerful 1-1/2 H.P., 220V single phase motor easily plows through hardwoods
• Shipping weight approx. 450 lbs.

Reviews (1)

Excellent Jointer, good value
I ordered my jointer and went to the shipping agent for pick up. The unit was in well packed. There were a couple of paint chips on the fence but all in all, great shipping.

Assembly was fairly straightforward and easy. I called over a friend to help lift the table up on the stand (the table is very heavy, you will need some help). I have the stand mounted in a Jet universal mobile base.

I was a little concerned with aligning the belts. There is no room for a straight edge. Per the instructions I made a plumb bob from a piece of string and a couple of 3/8" nuts. This seemed to get the pulleys close in alignment, but I still can't confirm that the pulleys are coplanar. An email to Grizzly resulted in a call from a technician. They assured me that this alignment would be satisfactory. The manual also says to not use any sort of leverage device to tension the belts. But I couldn't determine any way to get enough pressure on the motor mount to tension the belts. I used a spreader clamp inside the cabinet and put the recommenced tension on the belts. Grizzly also agreed that this procedure was okay.

I do have a couple of minor issues with the machine. First issue was with the belts. I was planning to order some Power-Twist belts at the time of the jointer order. But I decided to wait and see what the quality of the belts would be. Unfortunately, they were not good. The machine uses two belts. And the length of each belt was slightly different. Basically the belts do not match. This resulted in one belt not being in full tension as the other. Also the joints in the belt were considerably thicker than the rest of the belts cross-section. This was causing some vibration every time this wide spot went across the pulleys. You could see the belts vibrating and jumping around the pulleys.

I decided to go ahead and order some Power-Twist belts. To Grizzly's credit they did offer to send a new set of belts, but I decided to stay with the Power-Twist belts. The power twist belts have made a tremendous difference in vibration. The vibration is virtually gone from the table.

The second disappointment was with the dust hood. I feel that a machine of this caliber should come standard with a dust hood. I ordered the recommended hood with the jointer. I was impressed that the mounting point on the jointer was pre-drilled and tapped for some 1/4"-20 screws. However the hood was not drilled. Grizzly list this as the dedicated hood for this jointer, but it really is a universal hood that fits and works quit well. It was disappointing that I had to lay out a pattern and use the pattern to drill the hood. The fit is perfect, but an extra unneeded step in my opinion.

The jointer has performed well thus far. I have no complaints. The finish on jointed boards is just perfect. I set the fence where needed and each cut is perfectly square. I could never say this about my old Delta 37-190 6" jointer. I know that I'm going to enjoy this machine. I gave it 4 of 5 stars due to the poor belts and not-included dust hood.

I feel it is a great value. It is considerably less expensive than the Delta and Jet equivalents. I was considering a Yorkcraft but with shipping the price was a wash and the Yorkcraft was out of stock for a month. And there are some concerns over the extension of the Yorkcraft fence beyond the body. I looked at the smaller delta equivalent and didn't like the way the fence rack & pinion shaft extended out from the back.

This purchase has convinced me to consider buying other Grizzly tools. I may upgrade my Jet Contractor TS to a Grizzly Cabinet Saw some day soon. ... Read more

Features

• Adjustable cut depth on infeed table
• Three blade cutterhead with HSS double edge blades
• Adjustable cut depth on infeed & outfeed tables
• 1?2" rabbeting capacity
• Two blade cutterhead with HSS double edge blades

Product Description

Exlusive 72" long bed with two 3" cast iron bed extensions. 2HP motor twin V-belt drive. Enclosed steel stand with chip chute; motor is completely isolated from debris. Infeed and outfeed tables ride on adjustable, gibbed, dovetailed ways. Handwheel adjustment. Extra heavy duty center mount fence. Ball bearing TEFC induction motor. Built-in rabbeting ledge. Magnetic starter. ... Read more

Features

• Motor: 2HP 1Ph, 220V
• Table Dimensions 9" W x 72" L (with extensions)
• Speed 4,500 rpm
• Spiral Cutterhead
• Fence Size4" x 38"

Product Description

Enclosed steel stand with chip chute; motor is completely isolated from debris. Infeed and outfeed tables ride on adjustable, gibbed, dovetailed ways. Built-in rabbeting ledge. Spiral cutterhead for less tear-out of figured woods. Push button starter. ... Read more

Features

• Exlusive 52" long bed with two 3" cast iron bed extensions.
• 1HP single V-belt drive.
• Handwheel adjustment.
• Extra heavy duty center mount fence.
• Ball bearing TEFC induction motor.

Product Description

Enclosed steel stand with chip chute; motor is completely isolated from debris. Infeed and outfeed tables ride on adjustable, gibbed, dovetailed ways. Built-in rabbeting ledge. Gibbed/lockbar style cutterhead. Push button starter. ... Read more

Features

• Exlusive 52" long bed with two 3" cast iron bed extensions.
• 1HP single V-belt drive.
• Handwheel adjustment.
• Extra heavy duty center mount fence.
• Ball bearing TEFC induction motor.