Replies

1. 
   TomMGTC | Sep 11, 2003 09:12pm | #1

   I'd be interested in any info on this as well. I have the jet 15" planer and it has been a very good machine but this looks like it could be a worthwhile upgrade.

   Tom
2. 
   Adrian | Sep 11, 2003 09:30pm | #2

   Most people I know with one say they would never go back; I'm looking into retrofitting a General planer, and the next planer I get will definitely have one. Surface quality from a well tuned and sharp traditional head may be a little better, and if there won't be any sanding done to the wood after the planer, that may be a consideration, but if exposed surfaces are going to be sanded, I think it's the way to go. All systems are not equal though, you should look hard at the particular system you have in mind to see if it will give you the quality you want. I'm not knowledgeable enough to give you a rundown on what's out there. If you check the forums at woodweb.com there is a fair amount on this in the archives.

   cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, N.S
   

1. 
   arcdesign | Sep 12, 2003 09:04pm | #4

   Thanks for the reply. I haven't been but will go to woodweb and see what is said there. My old college woodworking instructor showed me the head on their new planer and said it was great in school situation; easier to adjust, held up to abuse and with the ability to elimanate nicks by rotating those particular blades.

   '....but if exposed surfaces are going to be sanded..." Who doesn't sand?

   Thanks for help.

   Joe

3. 
   AlanTurner | Sep 11, 2003 09:42pm | #3

   Thanks for the post.  Hope there are a lot of experienced replies.  I too am thinking about an upgrade, but on my old 12" jointer.  I was quoted about 1200 by Byrd Tool, out of Kentucky.  http://www.byrdtool.com/journals.html is the web address.  This did not seem too unreasonable since it will have to be made specially to match my existing set-up.  I haven't pulled the trigger yet, but my finger is a bit itchy.  There was a fellow who posted here some time ago that he has a general jointer with such a head, and he says it is great.  He doesn't even have to look at grain direction anymore, I think he said.

   Alan

4. 
   patricks13 | Sep 13, 2003 01:01am | #5

   I used a 15" Delta with a helical cutter head with HSS blades at a place I worked at 7-8 years ago. It did and excellent job and I never saw any chip out. I can't tell you much more, I never changed blades on that machine and I don't know where the cutter head came from.
5. 
   sanderdude | Sep 14, 2003 06:38pm | #6

   Hi to all:

               I bought a Bridgewood 12" jointer with spiral head about 6 mos. ago and I love it.  It has proved to me to be true that you don't have to be concerned about grain direction anymore.  Also a BIG plus is that when you have to install new knives almost any idiot can do a perfect job in no time.

1. 
   arcdesign | Sep 15, 2003 08:19pm | #7

   Does your machine have the thin, flexible balde that lays across the cutterhead at an angle or is it the one with multiple small blades attached to the cutterhead? I've seen machines offering both and wonder about the difference in performance as well as replacement.

   Thanks for the info.

   Joe

1. 
   sanderdude | Sep 16, 2003 12:40am | #8

   Hellow to ArcDesign:

                              My cutterhead has the small square inserts that spiral around the cutterhead. They are 4 sided so you can rotate them 4 times, then replace with new ones at a cost on my jointer of about 100$. Also, they only can be put on one way so there is no adjusting whatever. The only downside to this type of cutterhead that I know of is that you can only take off about 1/8" at a pass, or less. For me that is ok because of the work I do I do not need to hog off lots of material at each pass. 

        I'm not familiar with the other type you describe, but am very happy with the performance of mine so far. thanks for the email,    Rubb.