posted by: gdgsdgsdfgdg
4/8/2009

I had very bad experience with this planer & Sears. First, just to purchase this machine was a total hassle. I had to go to the store 3 times for Sears to figure out how to purchase it from their "store to web" system. The store manager ended up having to actually ring up the purchase for me. No one else in the hardware department even knew what a planer was or that Sears sold "professional" woodworking tools through their catalog & online. Then it took 3 weeks for it to arrive. After finally receiving, I was initially impressed with the directions, easy set-up, dust collection, & power. However, after planing maybe 30 boards or so, one of the chain sprockets broke in half while the tool was on. I was even careful to take very light cuts, understanding that this is a "benchtop" planer. I returned it that day to Sears, where they gave me an estimated 2-week repair time. On the estimated day of return, I got an automated message from Sears saying the planer was ready for pick-up. However, as it turned out not only had it not been repaired, they could not locate where it had been sent for repair! After about another month & a half of weekly phone calls from Sears apologizing & saying they were still working on it, I finally gave up & called the store for a refund. I called daily for 3 days with no call-backs. Finally just went to the store again & got the same store manager (very nice person)who initially rang it up to refund me. The only thing Sears seemed to do right was the return & crediting of my credit card. I am very concerned about their manufacturing quality control. The FWW review even mentioned that a part had to be replaced.

posted by: ulstadts
3/6/2008

I have not had this planer very long so I can not speak about its reliability but I have found it to be a great tool. Once it is set up and calibrated the digital display is very accurate and the chip collection does not need to be attached to a collector. It creates a smooth finish even on the faster speed and has no detectable snipe. The motor doesn't seem to bog down, but I have not run anything through it wider than 6 inches. Unlike the dewalt it comes with many of the accessories so it ends up being about $130 less, and the blades cost less. I would buy it again.