Can I cut metal or other non-wood materials with your jointers? Although our jointers can physically cut many different types of materials, they are designed only to cut natural wood or wood-based materials (plywood, MDF, OSB, etc.). Cutting materials not intended for a woodworking jointer can lead to serious injury for the operator or bystanders, shorten the machine's lifespan, and void the warranty.
Can I still use my jointer without connecting it to a dust collector? Yes, but we don't recommend it. Without using a dust collector, dust will quickly accumulate inside and around your machine, requiring more cleaning later. Besides being messy, fine dust can be harmful to your respiratory system. A better option is to connect your jointer to a properly designed dust collection system that at least provides the recommended minimum CFM for your machine's dust port.
I see that this machine is rated for 110V or 220V. Does that mean that I can just connect it to one or the other and it will automatically work? No. Although the machine is rated for both voltages, it is factory-prewired for a 110V power supply. To operate on 220V, it must be rewired, and some electrical components (such as the power cord plug) must be replaced (see the Owner's Manual for complete details). Most local hardware stores sell clamp-on style 220V power cord plugs that can be attached to the machine's power cord in place of the 110V plug shipped with the machine. If any proprietary electrical parts are needed for the conversion, they will be listed in the machine's Owner's Manual and can be purchased from Grizzly. IMPORTANT: To maintain the machine's warranty and reduce the risk of electrocution, severe burns, or death, only an electrician or other qualified service personnel should perform the 220V conversion procedure.
What is needed for converting this machine to 220V? First, review the circuit requirements in the Owner's Manual to ensure you have the appropriate 220V power supply circuit and wall receptacle installed in your shop. Converting the machine to 220V involves (1) disconnecting the saw from the power supply, (2) cutting off the existing power cord plug, (3) reconfiguring wire connections inside the motor junction box, and (4) installing the appropriate 220V plug (see the Owner's Manual for full details). CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electrocution or fire, only an electrician or qualified service personnel should perform this procedure.
What is the difference between the G0813 6" x 48" Jointer with Economy Stand and the G0814 6" x 48" Jointer with Cabinet Stand? The G0813 comes with a knock-down stand that requires assembly. The G0814 comes with a one-piece cabinet base that does not require assembly. Aside from these differences, the two models are identical.
What are the benefits of a spiral cutterhead? Spiral cutterheads offer several advantages over straight-knife cutterheads, including longer edge life, easier cutter changes, superior finish on workpieces, and reduced machine noise. The biggest benefit of using a spiral cutterhead with carbide inserts is that carbide steel holds an edge approximately ten times longer than the traditional HSS (high-speed steel) found in most straight-knife cutterheads. Every spiral cutterhead has many individual carbide inserts, each with four separate cutting edges. The inserts are indexable, meaning each insert can be rotated three times to reveal a new cutting edge (a reference mark on the inserts indicates the number of times the insert has been rotated). Sharpening and setting knives in traditional cutterheads is a time-consuming and potentially expensive process, whereas cutter changes are quick and easy with spiral cutterheads. Another advantage of spiral cutterheads is that a cutting edge is always in contact with your workpiece. This significantly helps to reduce ripples and chipping, especially when using an aggressive feed rate. The finish produced by a spiral cutterhead is also superior to that of a straight-knife cutterhead, reducing the time needed for sanding. Lastly, spiral cutterheads are quieter than straight-knife cutterheads, which reduces machine noise in your shop.
Is there a spiral cutterhead upgrade for this jointer? Yes, the H7653 Indexable Spiral Cutterhead will fit the G0814.
Can you install a spiral cutterhead before shipping the machine to me? Unfortunately, no. However, we do sell similar machines that already have spiral cutterheads pre-installed and tested at the factory.
How difficult is it to convert a jointer from an HSS blade cutterhead to a spiral cutterhead? It takes about an hour to change out cutterheads on a jointer. Grizzly now has a video that guides you through the process.