Grizzly Industrial G9860 Jointer: Mastering the Art of Perfectly Flat Wood

In the realm of woodworking, the pursuit of perfection begins with a fundamental truth: achieving flawlessly flat and square stock is paramount. This foundational step is the cornerstone upon which all successful projects are built, whether crafting intricate furniture, assembling robust cabinets, or shaping any wood-based creation. But what truly distinguishes an exceptional jointer from a merely adequate one? How does this indispensable machine perform its seemingly magical transformation? Today, we embark on a journey into the fascinating science of jointing, exploring the critical nuances that define quality. We’ll introduce you to a machine that embodies precision, power, and the legacy of over 40 years of expertise: the Grizzly Industrial G9860 12” x 80” Jointer.

The Grizzly Story: A Legacy of Quality

Since 1983, Grizzly Industrial has established itself as a trusted leader in the woodworking and metalworking machinery industry. Founded by a woodworker, the company possesses an intimate understanding of its customers’ needs and aspirations. Grizzly has meticulously cultivated a reputation for delivering high-quality machinery at accessible prices. This commitment is fortified by exceptional U.S.-based customer support and a comprehensive inventory of readily available replacement parts. At Grizzly, the commitment to quality transcends mere marketing; it’s an intrinsic value deeply embedded within the company’s DNA. Their tools are conceived and constructed by individuals who comprehend the exacting demands of the craft. This ensures that each machine surpasses the rigorous standards of discerning woodworkers. This unwavering dedication to quality is demonstrably reflected in the G9860’s two perfect 5-star ratings on Amazon, a testament to its exceptional performance and user satisfaction.

Jointer 101: The Science of Flatness

Before delving into the specifics of the G9860, let’s establish a firm understanding of the jointer’s fundamental role. Its primary function is to meticulously craft a perfectly flat surface on a piece of wood, a process often referred to as “face jointing.” It also meticulously squares the adjacent edge to this flat face, ensuring a precise 90-degree angle. These two operations are not merely technicalities; they are the bedrock of accurate woodworking, ensuring that wood components seamlessly interlock, creating robust and enduring joints.

Consider the challenge of constructing a table with warped or uneven legs. Regardless of skill, the result will inevitably be unstable and visually flawed. The jointer masterfully eliminates this issue, providing a rock-solid foundation for your projects. It achieves this through a rapidly rotating cutterhead equipped with razor-sharp knives. As wood traverses the cutterhead, these knives delicately shave off thin layers of material, progressively eradicating imperfections and culminating in a flawlessly flat surface. The infeed and outfeed tables play an equally crucial role, steadfastly supporting the workpiece and ensuring a consistent, unwavering cut.

Grizzly Industrial G9860: Engineered for Precision

The Grizzly G9860 is not your average jointer. It’s a robust machine designed for serious woodworkers who demand the utmost in precision and performance. Let’s break down the features that make this jointer stand out.

Massive Table Size: The Foundation of Stability

The G9860 boasts a truly impressive 12” x 80” precision-ground cast-iron table. This expansive surface provides unparalleled support for even the most substantial and unwieldy workpieces. It’s important to note that the sheer size is not the only advantage; it’s the flatness that truly sets this jointer apart. Grizzly’s tables are renowned for their exceptional flatness, with verified measurements showing less than a minuscule .001” deviation over a 6’ straight edge, according to Todd R.’s review. This level of precision is not merely a technicality; it’s the bedrock of accurate jointing, ensuring flawless results every time. The generous dimensions of this table empower you to joint extended and broad stock that would be impossible to handle on smaller machines. This capability is invaluable when working with sizable panels or preparing lumber for large-scale projects like grand tabletops or extensive cabinetry.

Delving deeper into the science, the flatness of the table is achieved through a meticulous manufacturing process. The cast iron is carefully machined and then ground to an incredibly smooth finish, removing any high spots or imperfections. This precision grinding process is crucial for ensuring that the wood makes consistent contact with the cutterhead throughout the jointing process, leading to a uniformly flat surface. The user JV cab confirms this in a review stating that the “tables are dead flat with an almost mirror finish.”

High-Speed, Four-Knife Cutterhead: The Heart of the Operation

At the core of the G9860 lies its formidable cutterhead, spinning at a remarkable 5,900 RPM, driven by a powerful 3 HP, 220V motor. This high speed, coupled with the four-knife cutterhead, is the key to achieving an exceptionally smooth finish. The faster the cutterhead rotates, the greater the number of cuts per inch, resulting in a surface that is virtually free of tear-out, even when working with challenging hardwoods. This high RPM also means that the knives spend less time in contact with the wood, reducing friction and heat buildup, which can lead to burning or discoloration of the wood. This was confirmed by user JV cab who states, “Even though it only has a three knife head it cuts smooth no ripples (5900 RPM makes a difference).”

Why Four Knives? While many jointers employ a three-knife cutterhead, Grizzly’s decision to equip the G9860 with four knives significantly elevates the quality of the cut. The initial product information was incorrect on this point. User JV cab noticed this discrepancy, writing in an update, “While cleaning the cutter head, trying to get the last bit of grease I discovered that the cutter head has 4 knives NOT three. Great surprise!” This increase in the number of knives directly translates to more contact with the wood, yielding a smoother surface, finer shavings, and a marked reduction in tear-out. Each knife takes a smaller bite out of the wood, reducing the stress on the material and resulting in a cleaner cut.

Heavy-Duty Construction: Built to Last

The G9860’s robust, heavy-duty cast-iron base provides an exceptionally stable, vibration-free foundation. This substantial mass effectively dampens vibrations, contributing to a remarkably smooth cut and significantly reducing operator fatigue over extended periods. The extensive use of cast iron throughout the machine not only enhances its stability but also ensures its longevity. Cast iron is renowned for its exceptional durability and resistance to wear, making it the ideal material for a machine designed to withstand the rigors of heavy use. Grizzly’s design philosophy recognizes that a jointer is a significant investment, and they’ve meticulously engineered the G9860 to provide years of unwavering, reliable service. The sheer weight of the machine, approximately 1,265 pounds, as noted in the product details, is a testament to its solid construction.

Precision Fence System: For Perfect Angles

The center-mounted fence is another critical component of any jointer, and Grizzly’s design excels in this area. It features positive stops at 45°, 90°, and 135° for quick and accurate bevel adjustments. These preset angles allow for rapid setup when creating beveled edges, a common requirement in many woodworking projects. The rack-and-pinion adjustment system allows for incredibly precise fence positioning, ensuring that your edges are perfectly square or beveled to your exact specifications.

However, there is a caveat to this feature. User Todd R. Solomon reported that his fence was “bowed by about .015”, but has no twist.” While he notes that this doesn’t affect the squareness of the cut, it is still a notable imperfection. He also mentions that he ” sent it in to them, and their tech claimed it was perfectly flat.” This is a significant customer service failure on the part of Grizzly. It is crucial to resolve this issue as soon as possible. Fortunately, he states that it can be easily remedied, and he is still “completely satisfied and grinning.”

Fine-Tuned Adjustments: Mastering the Details

The G9860 features large-diameter table adjustment wheels that provide precise control over the infeed and outfeed table height. These wheels offer smooth, accurate adjustments, allowing you to fine-tune the depth of cut with remarkable precision, achieving flawless results on every pass. The stress-relieved infeed and outfeed tables are engineered to maintain their exceptional flatness over time, ensuring long-term accuracy and consistent performance. Stress-relieving is a heat treatment process that reduces internal stresses in the cast iron, preventing warping or distortion over time. This attention to detail ensures that the G9860 will remain a reliable tool for years to come.

Powerful Motor: The Driving Force

The G9860 is equipped with a robust 3 HP, 220V, single-phase, TEFC (Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled) capacitor start induction motor. This powerful motor provides ample power to drive the cutterhead, even when jointing dense hardwoods. The TEFC design protects the motor from dust and debris, ensuring its longevity and reliability. The capacitor start mechanism provides a boost of torque for starting the motor under load, which is essential for a machine of this size. The single-phase design means that it can be used in most workshops without requiring a three-phase electrical supply.

Shipping and Delivery: A Testament to Quality

The jointer is shipped in a “bullet-proof crate,” as described by user Todd R. Solomon, and arrives quickly. This robust packaging ensures that the machine arrives undamaged and ready for use. However, user JV cab highlights a potential challenge: the delivery. Due to its substantial weight (approximately 1190 lbs shipping weight), special arrangements may be necessary to transport it from the delivery truck to your workshop. As JV cab discovered, having access to a forklift or a box truck with a liftgate can be crucial. The delivery process underscores the G9860’s substantial build quality but also highlights the importance of planning for its arrival.

Conclusion: The Art and Science of Jointing

The Grizzly Industrial G9860 Jointer transcends the definition of a mere tool; it embodies the seamless fusion of artistry and scientific precision in woodworking. It masterfully combines robust engineering, meticulously crafted components, and a profound understanding of user needs to deliver unparalleled performance. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a dedicated hobbyist, the G9860 empowers you to achieve flawlessly flat and square stock, laying the indispensable groundwork for woodworking projects that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also structurally sound and enduring. By investing in a Grizzly, you’re not simply acquiring a machine; you’re embracing a legacy of quality and making a profound commitment to the enduring craft of woodworking. If you’re poised to elevate your woodworking to new heights, the Grizzly G9860 awaits, ready to transform your vision into reality.