I'm upgrading to a medium-sized shop and currently have a planer, jointer, a drum sander on the way, two router tables, and a chop saw. I'm considering whether the Grizzly G0441 would be enough for my needs or if I should go for the G0442 with 5 HP. Also, I'm curious about the noise levels—specifically, is the G0442 significantly louder than the G0441? While I'm leaning towards Grizzly for their good specs at reasonable prices, I'm open to comments and suggestions!
3 Answers
I think you'll only need the G0442 if you're planning on running several machines at once, especially if they all draw a good amount of power. If it’s just you working, the G0441 might be perfectly fine for your setup. It really comes down to how you plan to use it at the same time. Also, make sure to check if the G0442 model requires three-phase power because that could be a deal-breaker depending on what your shop's setup supports!
For your equipment setup, the G0441 should cover your needs unless you're running everything at the same time. Since you're getting a drum sander too, just consider how much power falls into your overall usage. If money isn't a huge issue and you want room for expansion later, the G0442 could be a safer bet.
The noise difference between the two isn't drastic, but if noise is a concern, it might be something to consider. Generally, bigger motors can be a bit louder, but if you’re working solo most of the time, it shouldn’t be too big of an issue. Just keep in mind where you'll be placing it in your shop!

Yeah, I asked about the power options, and they actually offer the G0442 in both 240v and 340v models!