Replies

1. 
   davidbrum | Apr 18, 2008 05:05am | #1

   Hi Bob

   I bought a 15" planer off of Craigslist last year, also to replace my lunchbox planer.  I couldn't be happier.  Mine is a fairly generic Taiwanese planer, much like that Jet.  After I adjusted everything (and I do mean everything, even the elevating chain) it works perfectly.  You have to really try to get it to snipe.  So much quieter.

   The extra width is nice also.  I had to plane a 14 1/2" panel soon after I got it.  Try that on a 12".  The other nice thing about the Taiwanese planers is that I think most are made at the same factory and share mostly identical parts.  For instance, I called Sunhill to ask about parts for mine.  They told me that all their 15" planers have used the same internal parts for around 20 years.  The differences between models are largely cosmetic.

   One thing to remember is that older heavy duty planers aren't good for taking off micro thin slices of wood.  The outfeed roller will leave telltale marks unless the wood is really hard.

2. 
   terrylee86 | Apr 18, 2008 03:40pm | #2

   Bob,

   I have that PM 100 12" planer out in my barn.  I used it for 30 years with great success, but it is still a 12" planer.  To retrofit it with a Byrd Shelix was cost prohibitve and not easy time wise.  A buddy retrofitted my olds Delta DJ-20 jointer and that was pretty straight forward, but the planer is harder.  I bought a 20" Bridgewood spiral to replace the PM and I have not regretted it for a minute.  I did not buy a Grizzly because they don't carry a mid-range planer with a Baldor motor.  Check out this before you pull the trigger on anything http://www.extremausa.com/planers_pro.php   It is the same Taiwan manufacturer as mine and they install a US Baldor motor in the states.  You have to call for the price, but they are pretty reasonable.  Grizzly has a GO544 as a comparable planer, but I don't care for that style.  The G1033X would probably be OK as well.  Keep searching!

3. 
   Napie | Apr 18, 2008 06:10pm | #3

   That PM is a classic chunck of cast iron, if a 12" will work for you I'd go that way.  But my whole shop is old iron, I spend the savings on new hand planes.  Machines, old is better, planes, new is better.

1. 
   Tinkerer3 | Apr 20, 2008 05:57am | #6

   I read an article some time ago showing that the "newer" planes did not compete favorably with the old time ones.  In retrospect, I think the article was written before Lee Nielson or Veritas.  I also remember reading an old book, when I was in high school, predicting that the tractor would never replace the horse in useful farming.

1. 
   Y1RET | Apr 25, 2008 11:29pm | #7

   Thanks for your input on this planer decision. I pulled the trigger and bought the Jet 16 inch. The seller came down on the price some so I figured I will be able to sell it if I decide I really need something bigger, although, once I got it into my shop it looks plenty big enough.

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   Fitting it with a Byrd head is probably not going to happen. The 16 inch Shelix head for a 16 in planner is $1395. One for a 15 inch planner is $595 and for a 20 inch planner is $850. If I ever decide I want to upgrade it would be better to sell the 16 inch Jet and buy the 20inch Grizzly and the Byrd head. But, I think I have a good planner that will last me for a long time and it will be a lot better than the 12 inch Delta lunch box (which is now for sale if any one wants it).

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   Thanks again for your input,

   Bob T.  

4. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Apr 18, 2008 10:22pm | #4

   There's a really nice looking older Parks planer for sale in the Classifieds.  Might wanna check it out.  Don't know where you're located though.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

1. 
   polarsea1 | Apr 19, 2008 07:35am | #5

   I'd save my money and buy a new one with a spiral head.  It would cost me almost $1000 to retrofit to a Byrd head on my 'old iron'.