I recently bought an 8" Grizzly G0656P and I'm not extremely impressed with the build quality. However, I think that is simply due to what appears to be a sloppy casting - the machine work done on the surfaces is very accurate. A lot of paint chipped off and the iron underneath was somewhat rusted.
Anyways, this is not a Grizzly 8" Jointer review - it just puts Grizzly near the bottom of the pecking order for me when choosing this planer.
I don't know the EXACT difference between the follow three: Grizzly, Grizzly Polar Bear, Shop Fox. I know all three of them are from the same reseller (Grizzly) but as far as details are concerned (which factory, which batch of parts, which QA process, etc) it seems nobody REALLY knows. I've been to China and been in the factories for business and know that typically dozens of products come from the same manufacturer - depending on who slaps their logo on it decides who gets the high end parts and a careful eye on detail when assembling.
All that aside since we'll never know unless some reps come on here and spill the beans, would you all be so kind as to cast a vote for your favorite and share any details or experiences you have with comparisons. I have only owned Jet and Grizzly. I am currently leaning towards General International as their website has highlighted all of my manufacturing concerns.
Here we have the candidates:
General International 30-125HCM1 3 HP 15-Inch Planer with Helical Cutterhead - $2,936.40
http://www.amazon.com/General-International-30-125HCM1-15-Inch-Cutterhead/dp/B002KHNM56
Shop Fox W1742S 15-inch Planer With Spiral Cutterhead - $2,438.94
http://www.amazon.com/Shop-Fox-W1742S-15-inch-Cutterhead/dp/B001OOHAOA
Jet - JWP-15HH: 15-inch Helical Head Planer - $2,754.99
http://www.amazon.com/Jet-JWP-15HH-15-inch-Helical-Planer/dp/B0011TEFZK
Powermatic 1791213 15HH 3 HP 15-Inch Planer with 230-Volt 1 Phase Byrd Shelix Helical Cutterhead - $3,079.97
http://www.amazon.com/Powermatic-1791213-15HH-230-Volt-Cutterhead/dp/B001GOEPF0
Grizzly G0453PX Planer with Spiral Cutterhead Polar Bear Series, 15-Inch - $1,849.13
http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-G0453PX-Planer-Cutterhead-15-Inch/dp/B003TNF87K
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