I currently have a Hitachi P12R planer. I love this planer! I get a wonderfully smooth cut on all kinds of boards, and until recently, I’ve never run into a bit of snipe.
I’m having several problems with the planer now, and I think I’m going to have to replace it soon.
I’m looking for a planer that will do as wonderful a job for me as the Hitachi. I would rather not get a stationary planer just because I don’t have enough space in my shop. I’ve also seen people who’ve suggested two planers – one to take off the bulk of the wood, and a second for finish planing. Again, I don’t have the room for that.
I saw some good reviews on the DeWalt DW735, but I also saw reviews that said the blades don’t last very long at all before they need to be replaced. I don’t want a Delta, unless they’ve changed significantly. I’ve used a few different Delta planers and was never even close to happy with the job they did.
Can someone suggest a planer that they’re very happy with?
Replies
The two DeWalts (734 & 735), two Delta's (TP400 & 22-580), Ridgid 1300, and Makita 2012 tend to get the lion's share of the market and top reviews. I don't want to talk you into a Delta, but both of their top portables are capable of comparable performance to the others when setup correctly with good blades...planers without cutterhead locks will snipe more if that's what you'd used previously.
The 735 is the most expensive but offers two speeds and a built in chip ejector. The 22-580 also has two speeds.
Re-read the current thread on the DeWalt -- I think you'll find that there's a strong suspicion that many of the complaints about the DW knives are coming from people to push the machine too hard. There are after-market knives available from Infinity Tools, and one member has posted asking if anyone has experience with both the DW and the Infinity knives. It'll be intresting to see what responses arise.
Dear PM,
Makita
Best,
John
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