Which spiral cutterhead for Grizzly 16" planer

Grizzly sells two spiral cutterheads for its 15" planers (see below): the one made by Shelix and its own. The price difference is only $100. Can anyone compare the two?

Cary

H7655 15" Index Spiral Cutterhead


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Description
These cutterheads replace the standard straight knife cutterheads on our Grizzly jointers and planers. Each cutterhead has four spirals with indexable, four-sided carbide inserts, so each insert can be rotated for a new factory sharp edge. All cutterheads include 5 extra inserts, T-handle wrench, Torx bits and spare insert screws. These Grizzly cutterheads have an incredible finish, and are comparable to the Byrd cutterheads in quality of cut as well as the quality of the cutterhead itself. The inserts are imported from Germany.

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H7768 15" Shelix Cutterhead

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Description
Made in the USA by Byrd, these indexable carbide insert cutterheads are the best money can buy-period! The inserts are not only placed along a spiral pattern, they are also at an angle so that the shearing action leaves a glassy smooth cut on the toughest of woods. Each cutterhead comes with 5 extra replacement inserts.

I can't compare them from experience but research taught me that Grizzly's inserts run square to the feed where as Byrd's are on a shear path. Both have row patterns that overlap.

Hi Cary

I don't know about the Grizzly head but I do have the Byrd head on my 15" Powermatic.

It has 6 rows of the four sided shear cut inserts for a total of 98 (not all rows are equal).

Amazingly quiet and it planes to a smooth ripple free finish even on the higher feed rate..

good luck with the new head

Tom

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cary Swoveland

Grizzly sells two spiral cutterheads for its 15" planers (see below): the one made by Shelix and its own. The price difference is only $100. Can anyone compare the two?

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Cary,

Similar to Tom, I can only speak from experience with one version of the spiral head. However, my experience is with the Grizzly, as I have the Grizzly 1021Z 15 inch planer with the spiral head. I get great results with it and quiet operation. I'm sorry, but I have no experience with the Byrd.

There probably aren't many people around who have used both the Grizzly and the Byrd. The only person that I have seen post who has personal experience with both types is Shiraz Balolia, the owner of Grizzly. If I remember correctly he has stated on this forum that he tested both, as Grizzly sells both, and both give excellent results. The posts on various forums by those who have actually used one or the other of the versions appear to bear this out.

Hope this helps,

Jerry

Quote:

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Originally Posted by glenn bradley

I can't compare them from experience but research taught me that Grizzly's inserts run square to the feed where as Byrd's are on a shear path. Both have row patterns that overlap.

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I think Glenn is right and if he is I think the one with the shear path would be a better cutter. IMNSHO

Gary K.

I've used Shelix heads in my jointer and planer and love them. Sorry, the only straight inserts I've used were on a shaper cutterhead. It was a cheap cutterhead, and the resulting surface had prominent lines. Not a fair comparison...

according to a comparison of 8" jointer cutterheads in wood magazine 2006, the finish with the shelix head (radiused inserts) was felt to be a little smoother than the straight inserts on the grizzly and shopfox heads. i have the radiused version and it is very smooth (though not perfect).

I have a Byrd cutterhead on my shaper. The Byrd inserts are slightly convex on the cutting surfaces. I don't know if the Grizzly's (or others) are straight on each side. This would have some influence on the surface flatness of the final cut, but the Byrd are a shear cut, which should help with figured or otherwise difficult grain.

This could make for a great article in a magazine!:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eddie Darby

This could make for a great article in a magazine!:D

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it already is, wood magazine 2006

Thanks! I'll see if I can locate it! :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eddie Darby

Thanks! I'll see if I can locate it! :D

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I'm on a jointer quest and have read more than I probably should. The overall consensus of many sources seems to be that spirals offered reduced noise and ease of ongoing maintenance.

Straight knives did not score low on finish of cut per se. As I don't plan to go through knives fast enough to become an expert at changeing them, I'm leaning toward a spiral head of some sort. Lower noise, ease of changes and longer edge life, that makes it pretty easy for me.

On the reduced noise part it is absolutely true.

I didn't put the sound meter on the straight knives but I could plainly hear the machine over the DC. After change over the air moving through the piping is louder than the machine.

I only have the Byrd on an 8" (and opted to go drum sander instead of spiral planer head) and it is a nice upgrade. I can edge joint through the edge of a knot and get no chip out. Reading I have done indicated that the Byrd has a slight theoretical advantage but in practice probably doesn't matter.

Joe

Once you make the switch to spiral heads on your planer or jointer you will never look back , I dont think the brand is as important as the concept.. I have a General 20 inch Canadian made and it has saved my busines. I can plane Ipe, Bloodwood and whatever else for a month of 10 hour days without rotating the little knives. I went from 7 hours a day taking regular blades out of my old planer and sharpening to one hour a month to rotate the little knives. Production increase and cost decrease---incredible , not to mention a finish that looks sanded even on end grain log and burl slices.

I now have a 40 inch big old planer on its way down and newley fit with a spiral head.