Looking at some shop equipment once our pending escape from California is completed (2-4 months) specifically, wood working equipment starting with a 10" table saw, 20" Helical planer, and router table. Band saw and jointer may likely follow with a potential lathe in the distant future

Recently found Grizzly Industrial and had a catalog delivered (real paper, about 1" thick, old school type) and at least on paper, the company seems to have decent prices for what I am looking for.

Anyone with any experience or knowledge about this company? (price/quality, service, etc)

Are they standard (ie, can nearly any table saw blade / dado kit be used, extensions or do they use proprietary stuff, etc)?

Any help or insight with the company?

TIA

I have two pieces of Grizzly equipment: A benchtop metal lathe and a benchtop mill.

Grizzly replaced the speed control on the lathe no questions asked. It's been rock solid since, as has the mill.

I'd have no problems buying from them again.

Depending on the goal of your woodworking (general hobby or high end cabinet-making) you could probably save a wad on the saw by going with a Big Box Store brand, but you definitely get what you pay for in a table saw. I have a $400 Delta contractor saw that's good enough for what I do. A $5000 Unisaw is going to be a lot more accurate and repeatable.

The Grizzly products I have owned or used were mediocre in quality. I would not buy one again. I would check Harbor Freight for new, and Craigslist for used.

The table saw was poor. the 6x48 bench sander worked okay. A friend had a Grizzly lathe, the quality was mediocre at best.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: c1steve,

I've used but not owned Grizzly bandsaws and tablesaws and they're good quality. The only Grizzly tool I've owned was an 8" parallelogram helical head jointer that was a great tool.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
I have two pieces of Grizzly equipment: A benchtop metal lathe and a benchtop mill.

Depending on the goal of your woodworking (general hobby or high end cabinet-making) you could probably save a wad on the saw by going with a Big Box Store brand, but you definitely get what you pay for in a table saw. I have a $400 Delta contractor saw that's good enough for what I do. A $5000 Unisaw is going to be a lot more accurate and repeatable.

Will be high end cutting boards, end tables and maybe jewellery cabinets / chest of drawer. My dad was a custom cabinet maker and I apprenticed under him and his partner. Nothing is out of my skill set - with the right tools and enough clamps.

First idea is build something like with (sans paint though)

I have a Grizzly G0444 table saw, had it for years. It’s fine. If I had to complain, it would be that they don’t make their router table wing for it.

And I’ve been lazy about making one.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
benchtop mill.

I use one of these at work. It's not the Bridgeport I wanted, but it's been just fine for the things I've needed to make.

They are generally well regarded by woodworkers, especially for their customer service.

I have a 2HP dust collector of theirs and it is good. I would also look at "Harvey" tools. They make a lot of tools for other mfgs, and have recently started selling under their own name.
Tools are supppsed to be good.

I have been to their showroom in MO, it is impressive.

I have read quite a bit about their founder / owner. He is an immigrant and an entrepreneurial success story. He has an autobigraphy out which Im sure would be interesting. He is also a gun guy. I believe he was a gun dealer or importer in his early days in business. Their big catalog used to have some gun items in it, tools, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
benchtop mill.

I use one of these at work. It's not the Bridgeport I wanted, but it's been just fine for the things I've needed to make.

I'd LOVE to have a Bridgeport. Couple of minor problems tho:

A) No Money
2) No Room
III) No 3 phase power.

I could get around the power problem a couple of ways, but A) and 2) are insurmountable.

I missed a really good deal on one not long ago.

I laugh about it now (a little), but I was super annoyed by it then, particularly when I found out I was outbid by just one dollar.

I had one of their 6" jointers years ago and was very satisfied. I'm a wood worker. They are generally very well regarded at their price point.

For a table saw, I would highly recommend the SawStop though. Bite the bullet on this one if at all possible. I have their 36" PCS with the router table extension (just got this mounted over Christmas).

I have had (and still have) a number of Grizzly woodworking machines in my shop over the last 12 or so years:

o Two 17" bandsaws
o 20" planer (their Southbend brand)
o 3 HP Shaper
o 12" Planer / Jointer

I have had zero problems with any of them and I've done a lot of work with them over the years. I would recommend Grizzly / Southbend without hesitation.

That said, I echo what IntrepidTraveler said. I have a SawStop tablesaw and after a couple of times where the SawStop mechanism saved me - I wouldn't buy anything but a SawStop tablesaw.