Grizzly or Hammer

[Jim Foster]

Regarding Premium priced equipment: Manufacturing processes, quality control, etc... have improved so much in the last 20 years, and Grizzly has made a very public effort to add machines that compete against the European Bandsaws, J/Ps, Sliding Tablesaws. In looking at the catalogs and reviews online, it's hard to know if these higher end machines will give the home hobbyist that enjoyable feeling every time they use it. It would be nice if there was a showroom in New England where we could go run a few boards through.

[Brian Tax]

Sorry to hijack, but love the wood clock, Craig we need more details about that, impressive.

[Dominic Carpenter]

Cary,
Grizzly promotes their J/P machines as designed and engineered in Germany, however, they have been copied and manufactured in Taiwan. That said, Grizzly makes good products, but for a combo J/P I personally believe the Euro manufactured machines will be a better investment over time. I agree with previous posts, I have never been sorry I spent a few extra dollars on a quality machine, especially when accuracy and durability are the primary demands.

[Dominic Carpenter]

Charlie,
One point that has not been mentioned is how the Grizzly and Hammer machines differ in the way their infeed table adjusts. The Hammer uses a single lever to adjust the infeed table. To adjust the infeed table on the Grizzly, a wrench or socket is required to raise or lower the table. If you are one who frequently adjusts the table this may be something to consider.

[mreza Salav]

Cary,
Grizzly promotes their J/P machines as designed and engineered in Germany, however, they have been copied and manufactured in Taiwan. That said, Grizzly makes good products, but for a combo J/P I personally believe the Euro manufactured machines will be a better investment over time. I agree with previous posts, I have never been sorry I spent a few extra dollars on a quality machine, especially when accuracy and durability are the primary demands.

In the specification sheet of the 16" model Cary linked to it says "Country of origin: Germany"; I admit it's hard to understand whether it means "Made in Germany" or "designed in Germany", I suppose it is the former, i.e. "Made in Germany". In that case I would be interested in knowing more which manufacturer it is.

[Dominic Carpenter]

I apologize. I was talking about the 12 inch j/p. I'm not familiar with the specs on the 16 inch j/p. You may be correct. I know Grizzly has a 12 inch sliding TS made in Germany, so it's possible.

[David Kumm]

The JP Grizzly has discontinued was a Scheppach Plana 7. Their new catalog only lists a Taiwan model but I didn't look at their website. Dave

[Richard Coers]

Regarding Premium priced equipment: Manufacturing processes, quality control, etc... have improved so much in the last 20 years, and Grizzly has made a very public effort to add machines that compete against the European Bandsaws, J/Ps, Sliding Tablesaws. In looking at the catalogs and reviews online, it's hard to know if these higher end machines will give the home hobbyist that enjoyable feeling every time they use it. It would be nice if there was a showroom in New England where we could go run a few boards through.

Making a very public effort to add machines to compete, and doing it are two different things. The band saw I ordered had wheels that were not even machined all the way around. The machined surface ran out into rough cast surfaces. There is no way that is a world class machine in respect to manufacturing processes, quality control, etc... None of my European origin machines have had any issues like that. Hence my suggestion to go with European.

[Ryan Mooney]

There are a couple niceties that the Hammer has (these all of course add $$s)

• The "digital" handwheel. I really really really love this thing especially on a combo machine. I can get the planer back to within a few thou very quickly and easily. Way worth the $100.
• Jointer and planer (especially outfeed) extension tables. The 635 has longer tables to start with though so.
• Perceived quality. I'm not sure how much this is in my head but there it is. I've been really happy with my A3-31, but haven't used the comparable grizz so its definitely not fair to compare with only one data point.

I got a pretty nice deal on a combo pack though so that was what really tipped me over.

[Charlie Jones]

I really appreciate all the valuable insight from all of you. This is a big decision for me. Right now I have a lunchbox planer and a 6" jointer so it is a big step. I was leaning hard toward the Hammer until I saw the price with the helical head is close to 4 thousand. I know the quality is better but that is a lot of moo la...

I did a little research Cary and found that the early Grizzlies were made in Germany but the spec sheet noe says Taiwan.

[Peter Kelly]

I wish Grizzly made a wider unit. The 12" jointer part is fine, 12" for the planer seems a little small. I'm hoping to trade up from seeparate machines to a combo for space savings, and the Hammer 16" seems like the only game in town.

How's that?

Mini Max has 4 different models of 16" combination machines: http://minimax-usa.com/index.php?opt...id=4&Itemid=35

Rojek also makes a 16" model: http://www.rojekusa.com/PHP/msp415.php

As does Griggio: http://www.griggio.it/index.php?page...emart&Itemid=1

And Laguna: http://www.lagunatools.com/combo

[Jim Foster]

If I recall, the prices on the MiniMax machines start at over $6K. The hammer comes in lower, the Grizzly, even lower. The Rojek looks interesting, no published prices as far as I can tell. I'm surprised I missed the fact Grizzly has a 16" unit. I've been looking at their bandsaws quite a bit.

How's that?

Mini Max has 4 different models of 16" combination machines: http://minimax-usa.com/index.php?opt...id=4&Itemid=35

Rojek also makes a 16" model: http://www.rojekusa.com/PHP/msp415.php

As does Griggio: http://www.griggio.it/index.php?page...emart&Itemid=1

And Laguna: http://www.lagunatools.com/combo

[David Kumm]

Charlie, did you see the used 331 on woodweb ? Dave

[mreza Salav]

The JP Grizzly has discontinued was a Scheppach Plana 7. Their new catalog only lists a Taiwan model but I didn't look at their website. Dave

Thanks Dave. I looked at the pics more carefully and it looked a bit light for a 16" model. Then I looked at the spec's and indeed it has shorter tables than my 14" minimax J/P and is about 150-200lb lighter as well.

[David Kumm]

Thanks Dave. I looked at the pics more carefully and it looked a bit light for a 16" model. Then I looked at the spec's and indeed it has shorter tables than my 14" minimax J/P and is about 150-200lb lighter as well.

The MM 14" is a sweet machine and a good used buy. Dave