I am a recreational woodworker. I started about 4 years ago
with a Delta contacters saw, a Ridgid planner and a Hitachi
router (table mounted).
I have made several pieces with these tools; however, I am
getting tired of using the router to put a straight edge on
rough stock and I am considering buying a jointer, which
will aslo give me the capability of face jointing.
I narrowed things down to the Powermatic 54A 6"
because of the long bed and its reputation.
OR
The Grizzly G0500 8" because it is only $45.00 more
than the Powermatic and is an 8" machine the
bed is longer (75") and 4 cutter head.
So, my question to the group. With cost eliminated (they are
about the same price), for a recreational woodworker
what would be better in your opinions:
1) The Powermatic 54A 6" or Grizzly G0500 8"?
2) Does a recreational WW really need an 8" jointer?
Thanks,
Bucc
for the same price - get the 8" grizz.
"Bucc" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I am a recreational woodworker. I started about 4 years ago
> with a Delta contacters saw, a Ridgid planner and a Hitachi
> router (table mounted).
> I have made several pieces with these tools; however, I am
> getting tired of using the router to put a straight edge on
> rough stock and I am considering buying a jointer, which
> will aslo give me the capability of face jointing.
>
> I narrowed things down to the Powermatic 54A 6"
> because of the long bed and its reputation.
> OR
> The Grizzly G0500 8" because it is only $45.00 more
> than the Powermatic and is an 8" machine the
> bed is longer (75") and 4 cutter head.
>
> So, my question to the group. With cost eliminated (they are
> about the same price), for a recreational woodworker
> what would be better in your opinions:
>
> 1) The Powermatic 54A 6" or Grizzly G0500 8"?
> 2) Does a recreational WW really need an 8" jointer?
>
> Thanks,
> Bucc
>
>
I think you'll be happy either way. I have the 54A and like it a lot. There
are times where I need to face joint something that is wider than 6", but it
seems to be rare, and in my set up, moving the jointer around on a mobile
base was important, and the 54A runs on 120V so I have the flexibility to
use several outlets and locations (I only have 220V in one location in the
garage/shop). If I need to joint a wider face than 6", I rip, joint, glue
back together flat.
Assess your situation, and go with your gut.
Regards,
Glenn de Souza
Scottsdale, Arizona
"Bucc" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I am a recreational woodworker. I started about 4 years ago
> with a Delta contacters saw, a Ridgid planner and a Hitachi
> router (table mounted).
> I have made several pieces with these tools; however, I am
> getting tired of using the router to put a straight edge on
> rough stock and I am considering buying a jointer, which
> will aslo give me the capability of face jointing.
>
> I narrowed things down to the Powermatic 54A 6"
> because of the long bed and its reputation.
> OR
> The Grizzly G0500 8" because it is only $45.00 more
> than the Powermatic and is an 8" machine the
> bed is longer (75") and 4 cutter head.
>
> So, my question to the group. With cost eliminated (they are
> about the same price), for a recreational woodworker
> what would be better in your opinions:
>
> 1) The Powermatic 54A 6" or Grizzly G0500 8"?
> 2) Does a recreational WW really need an 8" jointer?
>
> Thanks,
> Bucc
>
>
Get the 8inch Grizzly. In the long term you will be happier with a
bit more width. Also, 4 cutter heads are definitely a feature that is
worth the extra cost
John
On Thu, 22 Jan 2004 04:57:43 GMT, "Bucc" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I am a recreational woodworker. I started about 4 years ago
>with a Delta contacters saw, a Ridgid planner and a Hitachi
>router (table mounted).
>I have made several pieces with these tools; however, I am
>getting tired of using the router to put a straight edge on
>rough stock and I am considering buying a jointer, which
>will aslo give me the capability of face jointing.
>
>I narrowed things down to the Powermatic 54A 6"
>because of the long bed and its reputation.
>OR
>The Grizzly G0500 8" because it is only $45.00 more
>than the Powermatic and is an 8" machine the
>bed is longer (75") and 4 cutter head.
>
>So, my question to the group. With cost eliminated (they are
>about the same price), for a recreational woodworker
>what would be better in your opinions:
>
>1) The Powermatic 54A 6" or Grizzly G0500 8"?
>2) Does a recreational WW really need an 8" jointer?
>
>Thanks,
>Bucc
>
For jointers, all else being equal, bigger is better. Get the 8".
> 2) Does a recreational WW really need an 8" jointer?
If you want to face joint a 2x6 from rough stock, yes. Most of the
ones I get are 1/16 over, but the jointer tends to be 1/16 under, so
it just barely doesn't fit.
Or even just taking the cup out of an old 1x8 prior to planing it to a
thinner piece...