Hey yall, i’m looking for some planer advice 🙂
First, lets consider for the time being, that i’m only interested in making boxes and small chests. I’m also on a budget, with a rather small (12’x20′) shop that is getting crowded! With that said, I have been looking around at planers but they are pretty pricey. I have considered the $199 ryobi planer at HD, but after NOT falling in love with my ryobi tablesaw, i’m a little wary of the cheap planer, even though it is…well…cheap! I have seen the handheld electric planers but don’t know if they are worth it, though one of those would certainly help with the space issue. So i’m looking for advice on whether or not any of these less expensive or smaller options would be recommended or if I should just hold out until I have saved enough for one of the higher-end models.
Thanks for all the help so far!
~Malice
Replies
I originally bought a $200 Grizzly planer, which I used for a year. It worked OK, but sniped 4" on either end of any board. No technique or adjustment helped. That meant 8" of waste on every planed board. Expense aside, it was really annoying.
I upgraded to stationary unit, but also looked at the nicer portables with cutter head locks or similar. These are designed to reduce or eliminate snipe. I would not seriously consider anything which didn't have this feature. Otherwise it will be a constant source of frustration (at least it was for me). You can pick up a Ridgid or a basic Dewalt with cutterhead lock for around $350.
db
Personally, for the money and the decency of cut, I'd look at that Dewalt 13". It's a step up from the 12" jobs and is not a big sniper.
I don't think the handheld electric planer would be much help to you, Malice. Doesn't look like you live in a great area for shopping locally on Craig's List, though Mobile, AL might be a source. Long drive?
The 12.5" Delta is a standby for the intro-market in planers, it would certainly do the job for you for a few years if you're not doing production work. Around $250 at Amazon with free shipping. The big DeWalt and other 2-speed, 3-knife models add quite a bit onto that price tag, so it depends on how long you're willing to wait to get the additional features. I've been happy with my little Delta, noisy as it is.
I was actually looking at the 12.5" delta when you posted this reply :) $239 @ lowe's which is just under the most I can guiltlessly spend right now. I know the Dewalt would be worth the investment in the longrun, but $500+ is just too steep for me.
Mobile isn't too far away, 40min drive maybe, but with the gas prices as high as they are I don't go over there much.
Thanks!
~Malice
Jeez .... At $500 for the Dewalt, you're almost halfway to the cost of a big planer. I used the small Delta planer for many years until recently upgrading to the 15" stationary planer. While the big planer is certainly nice, the smaller planer served my needs for many, many years.
If you treat it right, the Delta will do the job for you! Keep the rollers clean, the table waxed, and don't try to hog off too much. I yearn for the DeWalt, just 'cause it's such a tank (for a "portable") but I won't spend the money on it until the Delta breaks.
Cheers!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I certainly have to agree with your assessment FG. All of these 12-13" tools have about the same basic capacity, its the extra features and, depending on use, how robust the unit has to be that can affect the price. The Delta is an excellent starter tool, and could give many years of service. If it fails prematurely, there is nothing saying any of the others would not suffer the same fate.
This old junker I have isn't pretty and if the previous owner had taken a bit of care with it would be a great little tool.
I have seen this Delta for as low as $229.00 in Canadian Tire. So I'm sure it pops up in some of the major US chains for a good price.
When I went to get parts for mine, the rollers were $106.00 each and the blades were $57.00 for 2 double sided. I still needed a dust hood and infeed /outfeed tables. Definitely throw away technology.The Delta is truly a portable tool. My Ridgid and the DeWalt are significantly heavier.Don
"...and the blades were $57.00 for 2 double sided." Yikes!! Was that back when the exchange rate was pretty whacky?? Or is this the really old 12" Delta?
It's funny, several years ago when I went to a Seattle frame-production shop to look at their tablesaw, I glanced around and there was an old Ryobi lunchbox planer. Who knows how many thousands of board feet that thing had munched on, but it was obviously still a central cast member.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
About 2 or 3 years ago. But these were certified Delta spare parts, so they have to cost more. What really bugged me was the infeed / out feed rollers. I was hoping to put in a new infeed and moved the old infeed to the out feed. NADA. Different parts. I decided even $106.00 was more than the machine deserved. When have something really ugly I put it through the Delta first. Just like the pink bunny it keeps on going.
Some of these lower end items just chug along forever. We get into the mind set of thinking we need bigger far before we actually exceed the capacity of the existing tool. Don
At one time Canadian Tire's own Mastercraft brand was in fact a Delta. When the old Delta 12" was replaced by a 12 and a half, CT took it over. The serial no. tag said "made by Delta." I had a look at it before I bought the Delta (which last week went to the Rotary rummage sale.) I suppose it's too much to hope that CT parts would be cheaper than Delta's. It's probably too much to hope that they have any parts at all, since their newer models are entirely different.
Jim
I gave up on waiting for my 12" old delta to break so now I have two planers the delta & DW735 :-) My excuse is that I can use the Delta when I suspect nails. My wife took it hook, line and planer.Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
"My wife took it hook, line and planer." You sly dog, you!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
hook, line and planer....
Bruce,
There you go again!!
-nazard (taking notes and learning from the master)
Yes! But, She gets her rewards. Hardwood kitchen floor, Dinning room floor to be done yet, custom made molding and trim in the kitchen and dinning room (done) Box beams and strip beadboard ceiling in the 24 X 24 family room(done) etc. etc. We play the game well !Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Malice,
You could alway wait until the next tool show and experience some demonstrations of the various products. That is about the only time anyone will give you a demo.
My first power planer was a 12" Delta I bought at a garage sale. The rollers are not great (something to check if you go this route. Replacement rollers cost more than a new unit), I replaced the blades and it works. No dust/chip collection so a big mess.
I then picked up a Rigid new in box at a second hand store. It works fine, but has a dust and chip hood, so is much cleaner.
My brother-in-law bought the Dewalt DW735. It is one sweet little unit that will not disappoint you - although it is bit more money. 2 speed, 3 blades, low profile makes it ideal for the small shop. It has a built in blower to assist dust and chip collection - you still need to duct the waste into a bag or dust collector.
I can't comment on snipe. Some people have problems some don't. I have experienced snipe but I always know that I have mishandled he board going in or out and the machine tells me when the cut starts or finishes.
If you watch the sales you can get the lower end units pretty cheap, and like ink jet printers, they are throw away. If they don't cut properly it will be obvious immediately and you can return it.
My banker gets really ticked if I buy low end and have regrets later.
Get what you need the first time and get it once she tells me.
Don
$200 for a new planer is going to get a very basic model that lacks a cutterhead lock to help reduce snipe. Many in that price range also lack a DC port. If you could squeeze another $100, it might get you into a well proven model with cutterhead lock and DC....refurbs and used are also options to keep price down. I'd keep my eyes peeled for a deal on a DW734, Delta 22-580, Delta TP400 (aka 22-560), Ridgid, or Makita 2012 planer.
I've had a little Ryobi AP-12 for about 5 or 6 years, never a problem. The DC is't much to brag about though. I recently planed about 400 bf of 5/4 pine to make flooring along with a lot of cypress and more recently, maple. I didn't expect too much for $160 at a tool outlet in New Hampshire, but it works fine for me.
I'd hold out for one of the more expensive models; long term I believe you'd be more satisfied, both with operation and parts and service. On my list would be the Makita 2012NB (my top pick), the DW 734 and DW 735, the Delta 22-580, and possibly the Rigid. Get in the tool shopping mode and check out Craig's List, Amazon, tools shows, etc on a daily basis. Consderable savings can often be had with recon tools which usually still have the factory warranty. Closeouts are another way to save $. Good things come to those who can wait.
A valid approach, but caution is in order when considering the Ridgid planer. There have been numerous complaints piling up over the difficulty of finding blades for that one. Too bad, because it seems to be a nice machine.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Unless production speed is a concern, you might want to look into buying a good hand plane. They are clean, quiet and calming, instead of dusty, extremely noisy, and irritating. You can hand plane all night with out disturbing anyone. The bench top planers will bother every neighbor you have at 3:00 o'clock Saturday afternoon.
For your $200 to $250 range you can buy: a nice new Lee Valley hand plane, either their #4 smoother, or bevel up jack plane can be had for less than $250; Or, you could get their low angle block plane, a rear tote, a ball front knob, and two spare blades for around $250, which would give you a really nice block plane, that converts into a #3 smoother, and two high angle blades which will let you plane even the most tear-out prone woods there are.
Also, you could buy a good user planes off Ebay. A #4, and a #6 could be had easily for less than $200.
And bonus, several hand planes, and the related sharpening stones take up less space than the bench top planer.
And yet another bonus too.
With the additional upper body strangth from using handplanes you can arm wrestle your CFO into the next tool purchase!
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
you can arm wrestle your CFO into the next tool purchase!
NOT mine.. She kneeded bread every morning! Maybe Kneaded?
Edited 5/10/2008 5:31 am by WillGeorge
What ever it is that you by make sure is does not swipe and a big one for me is that you can change the blades.That said I have two RYOBES one a 10in. with no dust hud andno way to put desposable blades on it.My father and I brought it ttogether back in the 80,s .My other one is a 15in.with a dust hud and I can use deposiable blades but, the last two times I change the blades or tried to I had to take the planer apart to grind off the bolts .I,m glad I still have the 10in. planner. How ever both planners plane very well for me.
JUST HAVE FUN PLAYING IN THE SHOP
Let me start by saying THANKS! You all have given me plenty to consider and i'm thankful for all the advice.
I do wish I could take the time to hand plane my materials, but i'd have to raise my prices so high to accomodate the extra work/time that i'm afraid i'd scare off my already loyal customer base. I need to keep the process as efficient as possible. I am still eyeing the delta, but have decided to step back and do some looking around first. A tool "outlet" recently opened up over in Biloxi, and there is a tool "tent" sale down the road once a month that sells a lot of high-end make tools that have been refurb'd with warranty, so I'm going to check these places out before I buy anything. Like someone else said, I might get lucky and find a nicer model for around what i'd spend on the delta.
Thanks again to everyone for all the info and suggestions!
~Malice
I am very happy with my Ridgid planer. The blades are a snap to replace and three of them, double-sided = $67 on their website. You can't buy the set there - you have to buy three blades.
http://www.ridgidparts.com/
Swiper Swiper No more swiping!
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