Grizzly - G0490 8" Jointer Mod with Byrd Shelix cutterhead (Rating: 4)
I've had my Grizzly 8" G0490 jointer for about 5 years. I've been very happy with this jointer. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this same jointer again.
About 2 yrs ago I decided to modify it by replacing the cutterhead with a Shelix head. I was working with some highly figured koa and wanted to maximize the utilization of this expensive wood as much as possible by not losing any to tearout.
Many people want to know if the helical heads are worth the money. Short answer-maybe.
First, I received the head from Grizzly and had to replace my existing knife blade head. This was not an easy task. Not terrible, but not real easy either. Instructions were non-existent but I managed to get it installed and the adjustments to the machine were minor. Think twice about doing this yourself however. There's a lot of potential for headaches (and smashed fingers).
Now for the results. The helical head definitely reduces tearout. It does however, leave some lines that knives don't. The lines are faint and sand out easily. If you joint a lot of figured woods you'll be very happy with this cutterhead. The current price is about $350. Not sure I'd pay that again but I could see paying $300 extra to get a new machine with the head already installed. But only IF you need to joint woods that are subject to tearout.
I've had my Grizzly 8" G0490 jointer for about 5 years. I've been very happy with this jointer. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this same jointer again.
About 2 yrs ago I decided to modify it by replacing the cutterhead with a Shelix head. I was working with some highly figured koa and wanted to maximize the utilization of this expensive wood as much as possible by not losing any to tearout.
Many people want to know if the helical heads are worth the money. Short answer-maybe.
First, I received the head from Grizzly and had to replace my existing knife blade head. This was not an easy task. Not terrible, but not real easy either. Instructions were non-existent but I managed to get it installed and the adjustments to the machine were minor. Think twice about doing this yourself however. There's a lot of potential for headaches (and smashed fingers).
Now for the results. The helical head definitely reduces tearout. It does however, leave some lines that knives don't. The lines are faint and sand out easily. If you joint a lot of figured woods you'll be very happy with this cutterhead. The current price is about $350. Not sure I'd pay that again but I could see paying $300 extra to get a new machine with the head already installed. But only IF you need to joint woods that are subject to tearout.