| Review by DaveH | posted 263 days ago | 1206 views | 0 times favorited | 12 comments | ![]() |
- Grizzly G0656 8" JOINTER 3HP W/ MOBILE BASE
- Brand: Grizzly | Category: Jointers

Just finished assembly and initial testing of my new jointer. My initial reaction is very positive. All parts required for assembly were present and accounted for and nothing was damaged. The assembly took about 4 hours. I just followed the instructions included and everything went together and the fit was good. Overall quality is good. The in feed and out feed tables are flat and aligned as well as the fence. Test cuts were good. I looked at Jet, Delta and Powermatic before ordering the Grizzly. The others just could not come close in features for the money. If it holds up as well as the Grizzly 1023SLX cabinet saw I’ve owned for a few years, I’ll be one happy camper.
Note on shipping and handling: The shipment weighed in at 520 lbs. I called the shipper and had it held at the dock for pickup. A couple of guys from the freight company loaded it in to my pickup. I could have had the freight company deliver it to my house ( lift gate service ) for another $25 but I then I would have had no way to move it to the shop which is 100 feet from the street. It takes 2 strong men to lift the table from the box to the jointer base ( the table crate was about 2 feet wide by 6 1/2 feet long). Probably weighs 250 lbs.
Would I buy the same jointer if I was making the buying decision again tomorrow? That is definitely a yes.
Specifications:
- Motor: 3 HP, 220V,
- single-phase, TEFC, 3450 RPM
- Precision ground cast iron table size: 9” x 72-1/2”
- Cutterhead knives: 4 HSS, 8” x 3/4” x 1/8”
- Cutterhead speed: 5000 RPM
- Cutterhead diameter: 3”
- Max. depth of cut: 1/8”
- Max. rabbeting depth: 1/2”
- Cuts per minute: 20,000
- Deluxe cast iron fence size: 35”L x 5”H
- Approximate shipping weight: 556 lbs
Features:
- Beds slide on dovetailed ways
- Shielded & lubricated bearings
- Built-in mobile base
- Handwheel infeed, outfeed table adjustment
- Heavy-duty center mounted fence
- Handwheel controlled rack and pinon
- fence adjustment
- Built-in dust chute
- Rabbeting table
- Magnetic switch with thermal overload protection
-- Dave Herron, Boise, ID -- “That which does not crash the browser, makes it stronger”
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12 comments so far
FrankA
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136 posts in 319 days
posted 263 days ago
Good luck with the new toy, Someday I hope a larger jointer is in my future.
Let us know what you think after you use it for a while.
-- Frank Auge---Nichols NY----"My opinion is neither copyrighted nor trademarked, but it is price competitive."
GaryK
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8565 posts in 528 days
posted 263 days ago
Let us know how it actually works.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
USCJeff
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815 posts in 608 days
posted 262 days ago
I’d be curious to see your thoughts after it has had a good trial in your shop. I’m in the market and think I’ll hold out for an 8” versus the 6” I’d been saving for. I’ve given consideration to a few similar machines. The Grizzly, Shop Fox, and Steel City seem to be what I’ll go for. They have been a decent comprimize between performance and value in my limited experience. I’ve only used the Shop Fox, however. Happy with my Grizzly Table Saw and a Steel City mortiser I’ve played with elsewhere.
Yeah, lift gate service is worth it to me. I paid a little more than that to get my Grizzly 1023 TS from the curb to the front of the garage/shop. Using three guys to lift it another 10’, I learned that the 30’ driveway carry would have been not so fun.
-- Jeff, South Carolina
cajunpen
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5345 posts in 606 days
posted 262 days ago
Nice writeup Dave. Interesting to find out what you think about it after some use. I’ve had pretty good luck with Grizzly.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
DaveH
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275 posts in 318 days
posted 262 days ago
Jeff,
That’s why I picked it up at the dock. I figured I could slide it out of the pickup bed onto the shop floor more easily than attempt to carry it 100 feet.
I would have had the same problem with a local tool vendor. They charge $200 + for setup and delivery.
Note: Grizzly and Shop Fox will be built by the same China manufacturer. Just a few feature variations. Same guy owns both labels. Grizzly brand is only marketed direct. Shop Fox is the retail distribution brand.
-- Dave Herron, Boise, ID -- “That which does not crash the browser, makes it stronger”
teenagewoodworker
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2143 posts in 308 days
posted 262 days ago
thanks for the review. when i start looking into bench power tools when i get older I’ll diffidently give this one a look.
cowboy
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64 posts in 327 days
posted 262 days ago
Hi congrats on your new jointer,I’ve had one for over a year now and can not for the life of me understand how anyone else is able to even sell one.The Grizzly is wonderfully accurate,good features,the built in casters are great,the Grizzly jointer tests out with everyone who rates it as the #1 in quality and it’s about 1/2 the price and the only one with as large of a motor until you get up into the Oliver,scmi group.
I hope it works as well for you as mine has.I find Grizzly jointers,and dust collectors very fine tools and the best rice it’s really a no brainer.
Man though they are heavy aren’t they?
Great luck on your future projects
Cowboy
Huckleberry
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73 posts in 393 days
posted 260 days ago
In our shop we recently got the 10” extreme jointer with the spiral cutter head. These are very sturdy machines and they stand up to all types of abuse in the shop. We also have the 20” extreme duty planer and I have to say that these are the quietest machines that I have ever heard. Great write up and I don’t think that you will be disappointed.
-- Something that goes unnoticed will never be remembered.
Davedust
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4 posts in 284 days
posted 260 days ago
I recently got one as well and love it! It was missing the small key that goes on the infeed table adjustment shaft, as well as the screw to hold on that handle they sent me one no problem (it took a week). After getting it all together and using it a few time it cuts great.
-- Im not rich, just single with no kids...
DaytonB
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81 posts in 406 days
posted 259 days ago
I’ve had mine for a couple years now and am very pleased, looks like yours has a slightly taller fence (which I would like) and the fence adjustments are a little different but essentially the same machine. I’m very pleased and could not have asked for a better machine for the money. I do plan buy the spiral head in the near future, its just so much easier to replace a couple cutters when you nick them.
skozub
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58 posts in 299 days
posted 258 days ago
I love the grizzly 8” with spiral cutterheads. I’m impressed with their products too. Nice buy. Good luck!
Scott Bryan
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9950 posts in 362 days
posted 250 days ago
Thanks for the review. I have been considering upgrading to an 8” machine.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.