Replies

1. 
   joepez | Oct 24, 2006 05:31pm | #1

   TWG,

   Just bought and set up my first griz machine. A 15 " planer with the built in mobility and straight knives. Set up was quite easy and took about 2 hrs to set up and clean off machine. Came perfectly aligned from the factory. I was a grizzly sceptic, but so far happily supprised. Machine has plenty of power, if fact, I accidently fed through a 2 ft red oak board about 6" wide and took off about 3/16 with good results.  I still never to adjust the feed roller pressure as it leaves lines on the stock and as another poster said, you still need to do some quick card scrap or sand over.

   I upgraded to this from a delta 13 1/2" portable, and now i wish i didnt sell that because i could have hogged off material with the griz, and them gave it a babies bottom finish with the portable. I never really had to go over the stock with the portable, if i gave it a very light final pass. But the Grizzly I still tickering with to see if I can achieve those results.

   All in all, good machine for the money, quieter than a portable. very good fit and finish, plenty of power, love the mobility, saves me from buying a stand and it does not project form the machine, so nothing to trip over. Cons. feed pressure needs adjustment, would like a bit more fine finish.

   joe p

1. 
   smslaw | Oct 24, 2006 06:41pm | #2

   I am soon going to be in the market for a planer and, similar to TWG, will consider both portable and stationary.  Portability is not important, but a nice finish is.  Does anyone know why it seems that the portables are often touted as producing a smoother finish than the larger stationary planers?  I am also considering the Grizzly 15 inch, which seems to get good reviews but, as Joepez pointed out, leaves a less than perfect finish.

   Edited 10/24/2006 11:43 am ET by smslaw

1. 
   TWG | Oct 25, 2006 04:37pm | #6

   Thanks everyone for their information.  It has been helpful. 

   I too wonder why portable planers finisher smoother than stationary ones.  Usually I think of heavier/sturdier machines as leaving a cleaner finish. I have used a huge old Oliver that always left a great finish. 

   DJK thanks for the offer but I am in PA and I am lazy.

1. 
   JonE | Oct 25, 2006 05:51pm | #7

   The portables don't necessarily leave a better finish, it's more a matter of sharp blades and very careful adjustment.  I have a Ridgid TP1300 that is a great machine, but when the blades are dull, it tears out, leaves ridges, leaves chatter marks, and generally the boards look like crap.  With fresh new blades, the finish is like glass.   There is no reason that with well-sharpened blades (or new blades) and a properly adjusted machine, that a big 18" or 24" planer can't also leave that glass-smooth finish.  The problem is, the big planers can work fairly effectively when they are dull and out of adjustment, and they are fairly time consuming to tune them properly, so often they are neglected and relegated to rough planing and skip-planing or wood-hog duty. 

2. 
   billballeza | Oct 24, 2006 11:39pm | #3

   I have the Delta 22-580 planer which tool barn has on sale right now. Can't say enough about this machine. I just turned the blades around this past weekend after 2+ years of use. Very easy blade change and this machine does everything you'd want in a planer.. and it is a great value to boot. It is virtually snipe free because of it's cutterhead lock.. and you can set and lock in the thickness you want very easily and reliably. It even has a zero clearance feature so that you know where the top of the blade is with every board you run through it. This is one of the best tools I own.

   If you buy it.. be sure to order the dust connector at the same time. You ain't seen nothin' till you see a planer that's not hooked up to dust collection.

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   Edited 10/24/2006 4:45 pm ET by billballeza

   
   

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   Edited 10/24/2006 4:53 pm ET by billballeza

3. 
   JMartinsky | Oct 25, 2006 04:44am | #4

   Dear T,
   I have a 12" Makita that just won't die. Ipe, Oak, Maple, Brazilian Cherry, cedars, the occasional plywood (don't ask), and it just does its' thing. I have planed more material then I care to admit too. daily, weeks at a time. No sweat, it just goes. Easy blade changes and a great finish. I was convinced that I needed a bigger unit, so...........
   In comes a friends 15" Delta. Bigger, more powerful, but blade changes are a comparable headache and the finish is not as good as the Makita! The one thing that it does very well is to remove a lot of material in a hurry. (How's your DC, by the way, it better be good!) The finish is not unacceptable, but the Makita definitely leaves a better finish, in particular with light cuts. So now I use the Delta to rough out my pieces and the Makita to finish.
   Get both? Mabe! I would say that it depends on what you are doing. If you are going to be really hogging off a lot of material, go for the industrial size. If time is not critical, the Makita will serve you very well.

   Best,

   John

4. 
   DJK | Oct 25, 2006 04:01pm | #5

   I have a like new 15" Makita 2040 planer you can have for $800. It has new poly rollers and slow speed feed kit. Pick it up in Warren, MI.

   DJK

1. 
   JMartinsky | Oct 26, 2006 05:28am | #8

   OOH, that's a deal! Can you drive it to CT? Boy I wish that you were in NY!John