Grizzly G0526 6" Joiner?

[imported_Bob D.]

Anyone have an opinion to share on this joiner with sprial cutter?

Motor: 1 1/2 HP, 110/220V, single-phase (switch is 110V only)
Cutterhead: 4800 RPM, spiral with indexable carbide inserts
Table size: 7 1/4" x 60"
Maximum depth of cut: 1/8"
Rabbeting capacity: 1/2"

Any big advantage to the sprial cutter as opposed to the traditional three-blade design (or negatives for that matter)?

[imported_wbrooks]

Never used one for wood but at work all the newer paper processing machines are going to a spiral cutter design. Should produce a cleaner cut in figured wood as there is more of a shearing action across the wood instead of parallel to it as with the standard cutter. Also if you look at the higher end machines they also have spiral cutters. Should also require less HP to make the cut. A straight blade machine cuts the full width of the board at the same time with each knife. With the spiral design a much smaller portion of the blade will be in contact with the wood at any givin time. Just my thoughts not gaurenteed to be correct ;)