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Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=19401		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  peterm [ Wed Oct 29, 2008 5:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
Has anyone tried one of these before? I need a few to setup several jigs and the price range is very appealing!

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Trim-Router-Metal-Body/H7790
Author:  Rod True [ Wed Oct 29, 2008 5:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
Peter, I've not used one but it sure looks the same as the new makita trimmers which are pretty popular up north here, mind you the price on the makita's is $99. I have used my makita for 6 years now without any issues.

At that price, I'd give it a try but it might not be much better then the other cheep chinese lam trimmers.
Author:  peterm [ Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
you can't go wrong for $45.... but then again, maybe some here has some input.

Thanks,
Author:  Rod True [ Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
might want to check out some of the US woodworking forums too.
Author:  Alan [ Wed Oct 29, 2008 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
Where can we find the VS Bosch colts for $69? I have a couple already, but for that price, I would get a couple more. Seems one can never have too many routers!
Author:  peterm [ Wed Oct 29, 2008 8:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
ToddStock wrote:
I'm buying new variable speed Bosch Colts for $69, so not very tempted.


do tell..... pizza
Author:  JimWomack [ Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
peterm wrote:
ToddStock wrote:
I'm buying new variable speed Bosch Colts for $69, so not very tempted.


do tell..... pizza



+2 on that ... I can't find the single speed Colts that cheap.
Author:  Rod True [ Wed Oct 29, 2008 10:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
Guys, I posted about the VS colt's in this thread just 3 days ago. Look to the bottom of the page. Amazon.com These are of course from the Bosh recon division but they are as good as new (and often times just a return that can't be sold as new)
Author:  Darrin D Oilar [ Wed Oct 29, 2008 10:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
I sometimes think that reconditioned tools may be even better than new. When you consider that a new tool it is assumed that everything is working. A reconditioned tool has been gone over to make sure that everything is up to snuff.

Darrin
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Wed Oct 29, 2008 11:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
The Bosch Colt is the bomb. I want another just to keep my williams jig ready. So, Rod, I am still thinking about it. BTW, is it me or does that Grizzly look just like a harbor freight version for $29?

Mike
Author:  Alan [ Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
Thanks for the link Rod. I'll get my order in today!
Author:  JimWomack [ Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
Rod True wrote:
Guys, I posted about the VS colt's in this thread just 3 days ago. Look to the bottom of the page. Amazon.com These are of course from the Bosh recon division but they are as good as new (and often times just a return that can't be sold as new)



Oops, missed that link, Rod. That's $69 for a variable speed with an edge guide. Great price, I ordered 2. Saw a used single speed go for $55 on Ebay yesterday. Thanks again.
Author:  Cecil [ Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
Peter,

I have had one for about a year. It has performed quite well. The bearings are tight with little or no run-out. Depth of cut adjustment (vertical) is really crude. You will have to build that into your jigs and/or fixtures. Other than that, I am quite satisfied.

Cecil
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
I have not used This trimer but I can make the following notes from previous experiance. The base is injection molded acrylic. Almost every base like this I have seen has an ever so very slight bulge in the center (not good and flat.) I also dislike the height adjustment, a plastic pinion gear matched to a molded rack gear in the motor housing with a tension screw. This type of adjustment is difficult to make micro adjustments with because you have to loosen the thumb screw to adjust and due to the weight of the motor you to often you end up loosing the current position before you can make the adjustment. The motor and bearings may be fine I don’t know.

One more thing the adjustable guide bearing set up uses a bushing and shaft screw and not a ball bearing or even a needel bearing. This is fine for light duty cabnet work but the bushing will wear quick with regular use and pretty son not run concentric about the shaft screw.
Author:  George Thomas [ Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
I have used the Griz trimmer for about a year. Ditto on the depth adjustment. Like most laminate trimmers it has a plastic sleeve that the trimmer slides up and down in. On mine at least, the sleeve has to be really tight otherwise the trimmer body will slide down due to the vibrations of the trimmer. You can guess how I found this out. The effort to tighten the sleeve resulted in the knob that you use to tighten it breaking so now I have a bolt and nut where the tightening screw went. It takes two tools to loosen and tighten which kind of a bother but at least I can get it really tight.
Author:  peterm [ Thu Oct 30, 2008 12:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
Thanks guys!
I guess it was too good to be true!
Author:  stan thomison [ Thu Oct 30, 2008 12:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
For a year or so used the old Harbor Freight lam trimmer for $20. Worked fine on about 15 instruments, but then went south with bushings etc. That said if $20. every 15 guitars and did well, not a bad deal. The holder on the Griz appears pretty much same as that.

Thing is I could buy a $500 Festool and use a bunch for varied things, and would be good thing to do. Most here use them for only a few task. Probably for binding channels, and endgraft route. Maybe for rosette channels. This isn't long or heavy use of the tool and would probably be great for those and for price could dedicate use and do several over time or even at once, for price of more exensive tools. Like said this would be if making couple guitars a year or so, and light use. I use the PC now and probably go to the bosch colt, as lot of folks give them good rating when time to replace or add trimmers. I use them a bunch though and not just once to 5 times a year.

Get what can afford and needs. Of course you do get what pay for, but look at it as how much use will have and cost. I am a cheap guy though and tend to look at things that way.

If could or want to afford it, and even if making one or two instruments a year and all they did was the little work on those, I would buy the best highest end tools and spend the big money. Wouldn't get any better results probably, but would have them.
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Thu Oct 30, 2008 1:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
I will make a statement a kin to Stan’s but with a different point of reference. When buying a power tool I suggest first you do exactly what you did and get unbiased opinions on the tool. If you are not famillure with the type of tool or the specific tool It is easy to over look features, defects and flaws that some experienced with the type or specific tool may know about. This can save frustration.

My take on buying cheap tools was ingrained from my grandfather’s thoughts on tools. In particular power tools but certainly not limited to them.

When I consider purchasing a tool, One of the most important thing I look at when weighing high quality against budget is can this tool’s short comings uncontrollably cost me material or safety! If the answer is at all affirmative then I go for quality over cost savings. This does not mean you must buy the most expensive. But rather that you shop for a combination of quality, dependability and durability.

Here is an example; Say you bought a cheaper laminate trimmer to save money because you only build 5 guitars a year. Now say the collet or bearings fails for no user caused reason while cutting binding channels and destroys or makes unreasonably repairable a top and moderate priced side set. How much has the $50 trimmer saved you over the $100 trimmer? The best answer in this case is it did not save but cost you an extra $150. $50 for a replacement trimmer of the same type, $50 for a new top and $50 for an orphan side set if you can find one to do the job. This does not take in to account bracing, rosette more less time so one failure of a $50 trimmer can actually cost you more like $300 or more when you figure time in. Now throw in an injury caused by the failure. Now we are talking thousands!

For this reason, I never by inexpensive power tools. My experience is in the not so long run it has never paid off. I don’t buy more than I need but if I need that tool I buy based on Quality, Dependability and Durability. Never on price point alone.
Author:  peterm [ Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
ToddStock wrote:
Picked up and delivered 3 for Jim Warwick earlier today...nice to know that OLF is providing a small bump in consumer spending...


hey!! I started this thread....how about me? [uncle]
Author:  Rod True [ Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
No offence Peter, but I think Todd's delivery fee from the east coast to you in the west coast might be cost prohibitive laughing6-hehe

Did you check your local Lowes?
Author:  peterm [ Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
Rod True wrote:

Did you check your local Lowes?


no, but I will!
Author:  Kelby [ Thu Oct 30, 2008 10:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
Both Lowes near me sell it for $129. :x
Author:  Alan [ Sat Nov 01, 2008 5:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
The Bosch Colts was $129 at our local Lowes stores (Raleigh NC).

The two $69 reconditioned VS Colts were delivered today. They look good and work well. Thanks for the link!
Author:  peterm [ Sat Nov 01, 2008 6:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Grizzly Laminate trimmer..... opinions?
yep....$129 at my local Lowes too.....
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