I've been watching this machine for a couple months now because I am going to be in the market for an 8" jointer in spring or summer. I looked today and both the G0490 with standard head and with the helical head are showing up discontinued! Kinda disappointing if that's true. I was pretty much set on getting one.
Wow, just bought a g0490x two weeks ago. Guess that is why they had a good price on them. After using it for a very short time, I'm not sure you could ask for a better 8" jointer. Rock solid and cuts like glass.
No interest in the G0656PX. I think $1400 is too much for a Grizzly 8" wedge bed planer. When Jet runs their 15% off, you can get their 8" wedge bed for around $1200. Maybe I will have to look around for a local Shop Fox dealer come spring if Grizzly is going to stop making parallelogram 8" jointers. Seems odd that they would though.
I think the parallelogram jointers are a big upgrade. I have the Delta DJ-20 which the Grizzly 490 is modeled after. Maybe you can find a Delta or Shopfox.
When you look at the page of planers on the Grizzly website, you'll notice that every model with the vertical post control system and the under table adjustment wheels is on closeout.
That is typical of an Asian factory, to use the same type of things across models. So wherever they were getting all these units with the vertical post controls was the same factory.
Good chance that they could not come to terms for another year with that factory, but I'll bet they are also talking to other factories about picking up the slack. They won't put that big a hole in their lineup. Look for new models in a very few months, back to full pricing.
When I was in China, making furniture, we often had to change factories on certain items when we could not come to terms. It usually covered multiple SKU's, so that is what I think is happening.
How good was the price? I've been eyeing it for months, was about ready to order one. Now they don't have any 8' jointers available except the discontinued G0656. Grrr.
OK, I called Grizzly. They are switching manufacturers. the G0490 will be back as a G0490W. The G0490WX (spiral cutterhead)will be $1350 and available in February.
I have the G0490 with a byrd head, got it for $800 used, not sure how it compares to others, but it's heaven compared to my previous 6" bench top model haha.
The G0490X was going for $1250 before shipping the last time I saw it in stock. That was on sale from $1325.
Did they give you any idea what the price on the G0490W would be? I'm a bit tight and was planning on going with the straight blades. Looking at the G0490 product page the last regular price was $995.
Just got a g0490 today- I was able to purchase the showroom model at a discount under the already discounted price. (plus it was already assembeled!)
I spoke to the associated who are really knowledgable and after some discussion discovered that the new model is coming out of a new factory and will have a new model no, but other than a few cosmetic changes I was told that the product would be nearly identical in features.
Just thought I'd let you all know what I'd found out
I've had the G0490 now for about 3 years. For the most part it's been a great machine. I've had to replace the bearings in the cutter head which was a nightmare the first time, but in 6 months I was replacing them again. I don't understand it. I went ahead and replaced the belt and pulley wheels on the motor and cutter head. Now I have a horrible vibration that I can't figure out. I've made sure the pulleys are lined up. They're on right. There's a 1/4" slack in the belt. I'm at a loss.
I was looking at their 6" parallelogram model before the holidays. It too disappeared from the catalog. I was disappointed, and called in to find out that they didn't have any information on if it would be replaced. I found a deal elsewhere on a shopfox 1755, which is the same machine basically. Ended up being a bit cheaper so I lucked out in that respect.
-Brian
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