I’m in market for a planer/molder. Basement shop hobbist. Plan to replace molding in our house. No intention of becoming full time professional. I’ve had a Ridgid 13″ planer. No problems with it. Left it at the vacation cottage.
I’m aware of the two choices from Grizzly (both 13″, one two blade the other three blade) for approximately $800 and the one from Jet, also $800 just now due to a hundred dollar rebate til mid-March. Is there a clear best choice and are there others I should consider? I see a couple very nice (high end) choices in FW but $2500 and up are beyond what I want to spend.
Replies
The last time Fine Woodworking reviewed planers was in issue #160. Here's a link to that review: http://www.taunton.com/FWN/ToolGuide/ToolGuidePDF.aspx?id=2824
Matt Berger
Fine Woodworking
The planer review in the first posting won't give you the information you need.
Looking at the specs and the photos, I'm 99% sure that the Jet and Grizzly machines both come out of the same factory, as does one imported by General International. I suspect that there are possibly a few other companies also importing that model.
Beyond the different paint jobs, the machines appear to have different crank handles, different belt cover systems, probably different brands of motors, and different switches but the major mechanical components are probably identical.
I know of two other machines that you might consider, one by Sunhill and one sold by Craftsman. Both machines are lighter in weight than the Grizzly/Jet style machines. They appear to be based on benchtop planers, and are powered by universal rather than the larger induction motors.
The Sears model is the same basic machine as the one being sold by Grizzly, while the Sunhill machine looks like a reworked version of the Grizzly/Jet machines you are already looking at.
I've never worked with one of these machines, and Fine Woodworking has never done a review on them, so I can't give you any first hand experience.
John White
Edited 3/3/2006 5:51 pm ET by JohnWW
I've been a finish carperter for 18 yers and I have the Jet 13". I am very happy with it I usually use it for planing, although I have run about 800 ft of molding. However, you cannot make molding on any of the machines without a dust collection system.
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