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Thread: Upgrade dj-20 with spiral?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Landenberg, Pa
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    431

    Upgrade dj-20 with spiral?

    I have an opportunity to upgrade my DJ-20 jointer to a spiral cutter head, the T10126 from Grizzly. I had planned on saving for the Byrd cutter but there is a deal lurking locally on a new T10126. Same number of cutters, but as everyone knows I’m sure, a slightly different design. Can anyone comment on the T10126 vs the Byrd cutter? We’re talking about half the price so it’s worth the thought...

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Northwest Indiana
    Posts
    956
    I've got the Byrd on my planer, and I like it a lot. Would like to upgrade my jointer, more because I hate changing knives than anything. When I first put the head on the planer, i'd have only done a Byrd on the jointer a) to keep only one type of spare cutter on hand and b) because I hadn't considered my processing. Now, 4 or 5 years later, I'd consider the Grizzly heads at even a marginal difference in cost. First off, I just haven't had to change cutters (I've broken two--my fault, and it should have been more each time). Secondly, I don't use my jointer as a finishing machine--I square an edge and a face, then the planer and saws take over for dimensioning. Maybe just my attitude, but i'm thinking my jointer needs to be capable of flattening a face and squaring an edge--without shredding figured wood.

    If I had any skill in setting knives so they would be on the mark and it took less than half a day...i'd be good with the straight knives. I'm not there and I don't get enough shop time to be patient enough to learn. Again, no expert and just a hobbyist--so your mileage may vary. (after you get that head and install it, i'd be more than happy to have you ship your DJ-20 to me for testing and evaluation. it will take a few years, but I promise not to charge you for my time!!)

    At half off--buy it.
    earl

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Mid Michigan
    Posts
    468
    Check the price on replacment inserts, iirc Grizzly's were a lot more expensive than ones for a Byrd head.

    Ed

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Camas, Wa
    Posts
    3,853
    I have a Byrd in my jointer and a Grizzly in my Planer. I can't tell the difference in cut quality. There was a link shared a while back that had a source for replacement cutters for the Grizzly at a much cheaper price. If I can find it I will post it.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Overland Park, KS
    Posts
    617
    Quote Originally Posted by Cary Falk View Post
    I have a Byrd in my jointer and a Grizzly in my Planer. I can't tell the difference in cut quality. There was a link shared a while back that had a source for replacement cutters for the Grizzly at a much cheaper price. If I can find it I will post it.
    Same here, not worth worrying about they are both good.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Landenberg, Pa
    Posts
    431
    Thanks all. I will see if I can put the deal together.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    West Lafayette, IN
    Posts
    6,529
    If you’ve got the cash, go for it.

    My opinion is a spiral head in the jointer doesn’t add much of anything besides not having to set standard jointer blade knives. If my jointer tears out a little with straight knives, it doesn’t matter since it will go through my planer anyway, so the planer would be the only machine that would really need a spiral head.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Overland Park, KS
    Posts
    617
    I also replaced the bearings with the highest quality ones I could get locally. The old ones where not bad to my knowledge but I like woodworking and not working on machines so I figured I'd open it up once.
    Last edited by Steve Roxberg; 12-17-2017 at 2:16 PM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    SoCal
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    22,492
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    I've used them side by side and saw no difference in the end result.
    "A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".


    – Samuel Butler

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