Grizzly G0945 review: a 6 in benchtop jointer with straight knives
A light jointer for a small shop, written from the specifications.
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Grizzly G0945 6 in Benchtop JointerA benchtop jointer cutting 6 in wide and up to 1/8 in deep, with a 19-3/4 by 4-5/16 in fence, a 2-1/2 in dust port and two push blocks.
Who it is for
- A small shop where a floor-standing jointer would not fit.
- Woodworkers who need to flatten and square small to medium stock before milling.
- Anyone who wants a jointer that stores on a shelf between uses.
- Beginners learning how a jointer and planer work together.
Who should skip it
- Anyone who regularly flattens long boards, since a 30 in table is short for stock over about 4 feet.
- Shops that need to surface wide boards. A 6 in jointer limits width.
- Buyers who want a spiral cutterhead; this machine uses straight knives.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Motor | 1-1/2 HP, 120V, 10A |
| Cutting width | 6 in |
| Depth of cut | 1/8 in |
| Cutterhead | 2 straight SK5 knives, 6-1/4 x 7/8 x 1/16 in |
| Cutter speed | 11,000 RPM, 22,000 cuts per minute |
| Tables | 6-1/4 x 30 in, cast aluminum |
| Fence | 19-3/4 x 4-5/16 in |
| Dust port | 2-1/2 in |
| Footprint | 9-1/2 x 19-1/2 in |
| Ship weight | 44 lb |
| Included | Two push blocks |
What the spec sheet does not tell you
The table length is the real specification. A jointer flattens a face by referencing a long straight table, and 30 in of combined table length limits how well you can flatten a long board. For boards beyond a few feet, support on both sides and slow, controlled passes matter, and some boards need to be cut shorter. If your projects need long boards flattened, step up to a larger jointer; see our jointer guide.
Two knives at 11,000 RPM give 22,000 cuts per minute. Straight knives give a clean surface on most hardwoods when sharp but can tear out figured grain, and a nick in one knife leaves a ridge. Replacement involves setting knives level with the outfeed table, a task that takes patience and a good setting gauge.
The 2-1/2 in dust port is smaller than the 4 in most collectors use, which means you need an adapter and you should expect some chips to escape. A jointer throws a lot of shavings, and a shop vac or a small collector is the realistic match. Check your airflow with the dust collection calculator.
At 44 lb, the G0945 is movable, but a light machine vibrates more than a cast iron floor jointer, and it must be clamped or bolted to a sturdy bench. A wobbly bench will produce uneven cuts regardless of the jointer.
Setup determines results more than the machine. A jointer only produces flat faces if the outfeed table is level with the knives at the top of their arc and the tables are coplanar. Set the knives with a gauge, check with a straightedge, and joint a test board before trusting the result. A benchtop jointer also pairs with a planer: the jointer makes one flat face and one square edge, and the planer makes the opposite face parallel. Our planer vs jointer comparison explains the sequence.
The honest weakness
The honest weakness is the combination of straight knives and short tables. Spiral cutterheads, offered on some benchtop competitors, reduce tear-out and are easier to maintain because each insert rotates to a fresh edge. Short tables limit how flat a long board can get. If you work in figured hardwood or long stock, those two specifications argue against this model.
Grizzly direct vs Amazon
The Grizzly button goes to the product page for the G0945, with current specifications and the manual. The machine ships easily at 44 lb, so direct freight is less of a factor here than for large machines.
The closest Amazon-sold comparison is a 6 in benchtop jointer with a spiral cutterhead from another brand. Pick the Grizzly for its straight-knife simplicity and Grizzly support; pick the Amazon comparison if tear-out in figured wood is your main concern.
WEN JT630H 10-Amp 6-Inch Spiral Benchtop JointerThis is the nearest match we could find on Amazon in the same class. It is a different machine from the Grizzly, so compare the spec sheets side by side rather than assuming they are equivalent.
Alternatives worth considering
The G0814 is a 6 x 48 jointer with a cabinet stand. The longer tables are what you want if you flatten boards over a few feet.
Cutech 40160HB 6-Inch Spiral Cutterhead Benchtop JointerA 6 in benchtop jointer with a spiral cutterhead, a 10A motor and an aluminum fence.
Keep reading
- Best jointers
- Planer vs jointer
- Best thickness planers
- Powermatic PJ-882HH jointer review
- What replaced the Grizzly G0725
- Dust collection CFM calculator
Common questions
Is the G0945 a good first jointer?
From the specifications it is a sensible first jointer for a small shop: light and 6 in wide. Plan around its 30 in table length.
Does the G0945 have a spiral cutterhead?
No. Grizzly lists two straight SK5 knives.
Does the G0945 replace the G0725?
Grizzly lists the G0725 as discontinued, and the G0945 is the closest current 6 in benchtop jointer.
What can I joint with a 6 in jointer?
Boards up to 6 in wide. Wider boards need a jointer-planer combination or a hand plane.
This page draws on published manufacturer specifications and design reasoning. We have not tested this machine ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. Specifications were copied from grizzly.com and can change, so confirm them on the product page before you order. WorkshopCalc is an Amazon Associate and a Grizzly Industrial affiliate. We earn from qualifying purchases.