Grizzly or Bridgewood 6" Jointer - best buy?

[hrrodz]

I'm looking to buy a used jointer for my small garage shop and I saw a couple on my local Craigslist that got my attention. A Grizzly 6" for $300 and a Bridgewood BW-6R for $250. The Bridgewood was purchased by the owner in 1992. Both machines are old but in "great condition with light usage". So my question is: is it worth it to buy any of these two old machines machines or I'm better off buying a new table top for about the same price. Whic one is a better machine. BTW, I am a newbie woodworker and I'm trying to put together a decent shop with a low budget. As always, your comments are appreciated. Thanks.

[toolguy1000]

jointers are for squaring and/or flattening rough stock. so if you're not dimensioning rough stock to finished dimensions, and not getting a thickness planer also ( which is supposed to be used in tandem with a jointer to prepare rough stock for finished work), i might re-think the jointer purchase at present. what other tools are presently in your arsenal?

[hrrodz]

I have table saw, miter saw, planer, etc., I have built a couple of tables and a small bookcase. My next project is to build wall cabinets for my garage and laundry room. Just finished remodeling the kitchen and I regret not having the jointer for this because some of the wood that I purchased at HD were bent, etc. and I thought that a jointer would be good to have.

[mpc]

You might be better off finding a better source of raw materials. HomeDepot stuff can be hit or miss... And often is not a great price either. If you have a local Woodcraft or Rockler they can give you suggestions for a local lumberyard. You'll also have a lot more choices in materials.

mpc

[pelligrini]

I'd probably go with the Grizzly, mainly for possibly better parts support if it ever comes up. From most of the reviews and posts I've read the Bridgewood might be the better machine though.

I believe Bridgewood is no more. Wilke Machinery that was the dealer for Bridgewood is also defunct. I think the owner is now doing business as CH Wilke, Inc. They're supposd to have a fair amount of Bridgewood parts.

I wouldn't reccomend a tabletop unless you are totally space challenged and someone gave you one.

[toolguy1000]

sounds like you are pretty well equippped, so +1 on pelligrini's comments. grizzly has a good reputation for good value in power tools and customer/technical support. but my feeling is that $300 for a used 6" jointer is just a bit rich.

[LCHIEN]

Hrrodz,
A jointer can only straighten a board in proportion to its bed length... so a full size 6" jointer with full sized beds is generally good for boards up to about 6'.
A benchtop with its shorter, lighter beds is good for about 4' boards.
I would say the 6-foot capacity is definately worth extra money.
As for the Bridgewood vs Griz, they're both classic iron machines. Probably OK.

[Knottscott]

The older Griz 1182 series and the BW were actually made in the same plant and are very similar. My Griz G1182HW was $297 new (plus s/h), so that's not much of a deal IMHO. $250 is better but is still on the steep side. Both well proven machines though...

I would avoid the benchtop models if possible.

[3thumbs]

I have a Grizzly GO452, and it is a whole bunch better than the Delta benchtop that it replaced. It wasn't much more expensive either. I think that the guy wants too much for the used one, however.
DM

[dbhost]

I am going to go against the grain of common thought here and say that a new bench top jointer MIGHT be a better option for you.

Now I say that with a HUGE qualifier. Bench top jointers and such are a better option than their floor model cousins ONLY in the situation where you are extremely floor space challenged. I have a bench top jointer and it's fine, but I frequently want a long bed floor model jointer for the added mass and capacity. But I really have no where to put it and still have space to work...

Now let's say for example, I had the space to put one, and was faced with your question of Grizzly versus Bridgewood. I would have to opt for the Grizzly. I believe Bridgewood is out of business, so parts would be difficult to come by if need be, Grizzly is well known for having parts available, and excellent customer support...

I do agree with the posters above though, both of those jointers are listed fairly high on the selling price. But then again used jointers at least here seem to sell quickly (except the Delta bench top models that nobody can seem to give away!)

[Eric]

I've got a small Grizzly 6" jointer and like it quite well, and they can't be beat for customer service, especially against a company that's out of business.

I priced out wood, looked at oak at Home Depot and then because the road into town was blocked with an accident I went to another town that had a specialty hardwood store. I was able to get rough cut walnut instead of oak at about $2 BF cheaper. That really helped with the justification of having the jointer.

[bullethead1964]

I would also go with the Grizz. Getting parts will be a snap and it's a decent machine. Offer a few bucks under asking and show hime the cash, and he'll prolly take it