I recently purchased a Griz GO566 21" Bandsaw. Tool of a lifetime for me. I've been a professional/hobbist woodworker for nearly 40 of my 62 years. I learned early on to save my money and buy the best and have worked very hard to purchase what I consider a fine group of woodworking machines-PM cabinet saw and lathe, 14" Jet BS, 6" Rigid Jointer and Delta Planner, etc. All required some assembly, set up and tuning and everyone worked perfectly from the get go. So, understandably I was stoked to get this new machine...nearly $2000 of my hard earned savings and 700 pounds. I wired up the plug, connected it to the machine and after following all preliminary procedures turned it on. The motor hummed, nothing turned. I rewired the plug-same thing. I called Griz Technical Assistance and in the course of talking to 5 different technicians and one of their electritions over a period of 6 days (and exlpaining the same situation to each of them) I have (under their guidance) removed the motor cover and fan, adjusted the electromagnetic switch so the contact points are touching properly, removed and replaced both the motor starting and motor running capacitors. Same problem, motor hums when I press the starter button and stops when release, no heat, no smoke, no moving parts. I missed work this morning so I could speak with one of their electrical specialists only to find out he's off today. The TA I spoke with this morning now says I need to disconnect the motor and remove it from the machine. This entails removing the lower fly wheel, two belts, two pulleys, and 4 bolts. He also pointed out that when he attempted this procedure he had to heat the pullys with a torch to above 212F to free them up. Then I am to return the motor to them, receive another and install and restore my machine by myself. Perhaps the manufacturers of my other tools would have required the same thing of me. Point is NONE of those tools failed to preform flawlessly.
I have tried to be understanding throughout this process and the folks at Griz have been cordial but this pisses me off. While the above may seem simple tasks to some, I'm a woodworker, not an electrican. I'm at a loss. Perhaps my next step should be to contact a local electrician and have them look at the darn thing. Right now I have a $2000 dollar, 700 pound paperweight in the middle of my shop that has never cut a stick of wood. I was thinking about purchasing their 8" jointer but I don't think I'll ever buy another Grizzly tool.
ANY comment, guidance and/or advice is appreciated. And, thanks for the opportunity to express my frustration. tom