Have the G1182HW 6" jointer - great machine. Also have Grizzly's shaper, bandsaw, and spindle sander. Pretty much good quality machines for the money...... usually first look goes to Grizzly when looking to add to the ww stable.I am looking at the Grizzly G0452 6" Jointer. It has a number of feature I like but I would like to hear from anyone who has one or has comments on Grizzly tools in general.
Steve, I'm surprised at your comment, I have read enough of your posts that I know you know what you're talking about. I have the smaller shaper, the G1035, only because I couldn't afford the bigger one. The only bad thing I have heard about the G1026 was that the fence left something to be desired. Most of the reviews were quite positive. Curious about the slack in the spindle, can you elaborate on that?The only Grizzly machine I have is a G1026 shaper. I don't think much of it. It looks more like something made by Central Machinery. It's poorly designed and poorly built. They have a little 3/8" drive belt on it with a 3hp motor. I have a bigger belt on the smog pump on my truck. Then there is enough slack in the spindle I'm afraid to use it with anything other than a three wing cutter. I have sturdier routers.
Over the years I've used Delta, Powermatic, Onsrud and Northfield shapers at other places I worked at. I also own a Northfield shaper. When I needed a second shaper I ran across the Grizzly shaper on a online auction. Everyone spoke highly of Grizzly so I didn't think too much about it. For the price I expected it to be more like the Delta shaper and it wasn't. It's not like I was expecting it to be of the same quality as the Northfield but I though it would be safe with well balanced knives. Right now I believe I should replace it with another Northfield. Shapers are dangerous enough without using one you have doubts with. I pretty much just use a collar and loose knives. I don't have a company that would sharpen carbide cutters for me so I use high speed steel and sharpen them myself.Steve, I'm surprised at your comment, I have read enough of your posts that I know you know what you're talking about. I have the smaller shaper, the G1035, only because I couldn't afford the bigger one. The only bad thing I have heard about the G1026 was that the fence left something to be desired. Most of the reviews were quite positive. Curious about the slack in the spindle, can you elaborate on that?