Replies

1. 
   heartpinemik | Feb 01, 2005 10:19pm | #1

   I don't have any first hand experience with this planer. I was flipping through a past issue of FWW and found an article on small shop planers. Most were in the 14-16 inch range. There was a General in the mix that I believe was the one you mentioned.

   Sorry I don't know which issue number it is as I am currently out of town and do not have access to my back issue collection. Do a web site search on this site.

   Good luck. I don't think you will go wrong with the purchase of this machine. It seems to be more of a smaller industrial tool and it is made in North America.

2. 
   jako17 | Feb 02, 2005 08:45am | #2

   As far as I know there have been few if any changes to that planer over the years .It was originally a Poitras machine and they were absorbed by General years ago.Typical of General ,solid simple design(old fashioned technology) not in any way adventurous,reliable,heavy,aged castings, good machining.We found that its feed rate a bit slow but the finish good.If the 14 " capacity and the feed rate are enough an excellent production machine.In order to address our needs we went to the 330.When you put General (Cdn) alongside  G.I. , King etc the difference is obvious but then so is the price.My advice is buy it  and my guess is  about $2000 Cdn if in really good shape

   
   

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   Edited 2/2/2005 12:48 am ET by jako

1. 
   konrad | Feb 03, 2005 12:18am | #3

   Thanks for the response. Your guess as to its value is right on the money - that is what he is asking in Canadian dollars. I will let you know - I am seeing it tomorrow night.Thanks again,
   Konrad

1. 
   jako17 | Feb 03, 2005 05:47pm | #4

   You are welcome! Be careful it weighs a lot(450-500#) and it is tall.Get a copy of the manual and be fussy with the height of the rollers at the edge of the lower table.It is a great way to get snipe.Also keep the out feed rollers very clean, they are steel and load with pitch in resinous woods.We use paint thinner/mineral spirits.This will prevent them embossing the planned surface(especially eastern white pine!)

1. 
   konrad | Feb 07, 2005 12:05am | #5

   Hi Jako,I am happy to report that it followed me home. It is in fantastic shape and we did several test boards to make sure. There were no cracks in the castings and everything was well lubed. It was very smooth. I will re-tune it now that it is home, but it was working very well when I went to see it. Thanks for the advise,
   Konrad

1. 
   jako17 | Feb 07, 2005 07:04am | #7

   You won't regret the purchase ,a great machine even if you had to buy it new.Have fun,  Jako

        

3. 
   ron61 | Feb 07, 2005 01:06am | #6

   ttt