8IN. JOINTER HELICAL CUTTER CX08HC

Switched from a 6" knifed jointer to this in last month. The difference is incredible. We knew that the machine would be more robust, but we weren't prepared for how smoothly it cut especially for surfacing. The only issue that we haven't been able to resolve is with the drive belt. When the machine is shutting down, the drive belt seems to kick around and vibrate for half a second. Seems insignificant, but still concerning.

Extremely pleased with the performance. However, as with the 20-inch helical planer I purchased the manual is all but useless and I was forced to download the manual from a competing product line which had 50 pages of detailed information and a readable exploded diagram. Shame an excellent product just misses top marks with a manual that would be easily updated.

I purchased this several months ago but was only able to assemble last week. For those reading this, do yourself a favor and throw the user manual in the trash where it belongs. Go to Grizzly and download the manual for the GO490X and use that instead. Now for my review. After I went though the effort of attaching the jointer table to the stand, adjusting the motor and belt, and figuring out what bolt/washer to use for all of this, I started the process of removing the shipping grease from all the surfaces. I was very upset to find rust marks all over the infeed and outfeed table, despite being covered with the grease. Even worse, as I was cleaning the cutter head which involves removing each of the carbide tips to clean individually, I was shocked to see one of the tips was cracked in half!!! I wish this machine came with a couple of spares so now I have to fork over another $80 to get a set of them to replace. When I went to start the jointer, it vibrated like crazy. I re-adjusted the motor to make sure the belt had sufficient tension (a tension that had no spec in the garbage manual) and after that, it seemed to vibrate a bit less. But I noticed the belt is located very close to the mechanism that controls the fence and rubs on it when it is first turned on and when turned off. Not sure if that is just poor design or what. I notice it is the same on the Grizzly model so pretty sure this is standard design. Overall, I am a bit disappointed at having spent in excess of $2K and getting something with rust all over it and with a broken carbide tip. Will see how this performs once I get a replacement tip.

Purchased the CX08HC jointer last week and it has performed beautifully so far. The helical cutterhead produces a very smooth surface and was well worth the extra expense. The jointer parts are shipped in a crate and box and, of course, some assembly is required. The setup was lengthy, tedious and frustrating, in large part due to the the worst instructions manual I have ever had the displeasure to follow. For example: - at one point in the manual the instructions refer to a sander; - the bolts, washers and cap screws of various sizes are grouped together in a plastic bag and the instructions manual provides no direction regarding when to use a specific size; - the instructions refer to photos that, for the most part, provide very little information useful for the setup, and; - the manual makes no mention of the fact that jointer’s motor must be unbolted from the stand and reinstalled in a different location within the stand. Of particular concern is the fact that on page 8 of the instructions manual it is wrongly stated that the CX08HC jointer operates on “a normal 110 volt circuit” even though the diagram that accompanies the text is of a 220 volt outlet! All in all, a great tool but a very disappointing instructions manual.

I will say up front that I have very little time actually running the machine, however, from what I see so far, it appears to work as advertised. I will update my review on the performance after I have enough time on it to make a comprehensive assessment. . My reason for only giving it 3 stars at this point is due to the woefully inadequate assembly instructions. I was especially irritated to find out at nearly the last step (attaching the drive belt) that the shipping position for the motor IS NOT the operating position. The instructions do not mention this, and dropping the motor to move it to the operating position after the table top has been installed is not an easy task. You also end up with 2 less motor mounting bolts because of this and you either have to remove the table to get the bolts back or run out to get replacements. Additionally, you have to figure out on your own which bolts go where. I also wound up with a bracket left over which isn't mentioned in the instructions which I figured out later was to protect the exposed drive belt. When I pay this much for a machine, I expect to get first-rate instructions. At the very least, busy bee should post a video on the web site showing the assembly.

After doing a lot of research and looking at other jointers available in Canada, I think this is a clear winner for the price. It hit all the points I was looking for after desperately needing an upgrade from my 6” bench top that I would try very hard not to set up. After having this for a few months I'd recommend it to anyone looking. The beds were true and flat right out of the crate, no adjustments to the machine were needed. I was able to assemble it, clean it and use it. The advantages of the helical head over the straight blades is well worth the cost difference IMO. Tearout is eliminated unless I try which is something I can't say about straight blades and the much lower noise level is a welcomed change from my old bench top. Oh, and I'll never have to set another knife again.... Mobile base built in - thank you! If I had the room I'd have got the 12" and this definitely won't be the last CX series machine I buy.

Very happy thus far in (6 weeks). Well packaged, fit and finish solid and cuts like butter. Looks great too, so far very happy.