Replies

1. 
   SuttonHoo | Sep 29, 2008 10:19pm | #1

   The updatred Ridgid Planer has gotten a lot of favorable reviews from users. It is under $400 and usually available immediately from Home Depot. I believe it has 3 cutters. I will probably buy this over the next few weeks as soon as my bailout plan is approved by congress (note lower case, as in lower).

   Burt

1. 
   JoeOxfordCT | Sep 29, 2008 10:41pm | #2

   How many different models does Rigid make ?If I go to their site it'll be obvious which one you're referring to ?Thanks !J.

2. 
   JMartinsky | Sep 30, 2008 02:24am | #3

   Dear Joe,
   From and earlier post that I made:

   I am a contractor here in the States and have been in the house construction field for over twenty years. To me, it's all about the bottom line, if it doesn't perform, I have little patience for it. Beginning approximately twelve or thirteen years ago, I used to burn out one Delta planer a year. After a few years, a few more manufacturers came on line and I decided to try the Ridgid. It did an OK job, but it did tend to shatter very thin material. The first time I tried to change the blades, one of the bolts stripped. I (calmly) picked up the planer, returned it to HD and then after losing a half day's production, ordered a new Makita planer. That was about eight years ago and the d#@*n thing is still going. Now, I want to point out that this how I earn my living. That planer has been on jobsites and in my shop. It has been left alone for four or five months and then I might run it for seven hours a day for a few days, hot or cold, it just does its thing. I have run miles of Ipe, teak, maple, oak, Brazilian cherry, and walnut without a hiccup. Blade changes are simple and quick. I highly recommend it for accuracy, durability and just one fine tool.

   Best,

   John

   I'm in Monroe, if you want to see it.

1. 
   JoeOxfordCT | Sep 30, 2008 03:48am | #4

   John,I am an ex-carpenter. I've been out of the business since 1999. I still have my Makita sliding (single slide) compound miter saw I bought from HD several years prior to 1999 and it still works well. Along with your story about your planer I would say a pretty good endorsement for Makita products. My counter point to you is this....both your planer & my chop saw are older Makita models. How good are the models that will be in HD this weekend ? I'll illustrate my point with another story. I had an old Dewalt 18 volt cordless drill/driver that I got when 18 volt products first became available. Used it happily for years until the charger and battery units crapped out. Went to HD and bought a new Dewalt drill/driver chiefly because I wanted the batteries & charger. I continued to use my old driver until if finally died. When I began to use the new driver I was disappointed in the quality of the new unit. The whole driver chassis flexs and moves in my hand when I'm driver large screws like Ledger Locks, the chuck slips frequenty with round drill bits. The driver slips between speed settings 1 & 2 at times when driving larger screws. In whole, a far drop in quality from the old Dewalt driver I really loved.
   So back to my point. We both love our older Makita products but how good are the new ones ? Being out of the trades for a bit of time I'm a bit out of touch with what's hot & well regarded these days.I live about 5 minutes in the other side of Stevenson Dam by the way.....Did Stevenson Lumber close ?? What happened ??Joe

1. 
   JMartinsky | Sep 30, 2008 06:38am | #5

   Dear Joe,
   Oh, I have a definite opinion of tools from HD and that is that I avoid them at all cost. Amazon, Coastal, Tools Plus and Home Time Tools get my money for the very reason that you state. I have bought tools from HD years ago, manufacturers that I have used in the past and guess what? More often than not, they gave out. Buy it elsewhere, and it seems OK. I thought that manufacturers may of been dumping their "seconds" on HD, but most folks seem to think that the manufacturers build a separate line for HD. Whatever the reason, I don't buy from them. My Makita was made in China, so I doubt that quality has dropped, if anything, it has improved. If you are over on Rt 25 in Monroe, check out "Home Town Tools". They are right next to Vazzy's. They have a good selection and are good folks. The only other "local" outfit is "Tools Plus" in Waterbury, right at the Rt8 & 84 merge. They have it all. Or just order from Amazon. That's where I bought mine, and really Joe, it just won't die.Stevenson Lumber? Yup, they're gone. Bankrupt. From what I can see Wix over near me is next. Pretty soon it will be just West End, Ring's End and Bridgeport. Best,John

2. 
   JMartinsky | Sep 30, 2008 06:44am | #6

   Dear Joe,
   As to drill/drivers: Makita wins again. 18v compact (Black & White) Lithium Ion. It's under $200.00 which is what I paid a year or so ago, I think that it can be had for $160.00. Don't let the light weight fool you. It has "broken wrist" twist in low. Just to round things out:Hand held planer : Makita: They got it right in the 1980's.
   Jigsaw: Bosch: No question.
   Slide saw (s): Hitachi: Just my preference.
   Jobsite TS: 10" Makita although my 8" Makita was a better saw, I couldn't take the carpel tunnel knob.
   Routers: PC & Bosch.OK, I'm done........................... I think...........John

2. 
   stillfigurinitout | Sep 30, 2008 06:45am | #7

   Funny you should mention Makita.  I've had very good luck with Makita and Bosch tools and I'm in the market also for a benchtop planer.  The choices are down to Dewalt, Delta and Makita.  It seems there are a lot of reviews for the Dewalt (I think because it got the thumbs up in a FWW showdown) and of course the Delta is Norm's tool of choice.  I like the Makita.  I think you just helped me make up my mind.  Unless I talk myself into the Grizzly stationary (doubtful, but possible).

1. 
   JMartinsky | Sep 30, 2008 06:54am | #8

   Dear Still,
   I was praying for the death of my Makita planer so that I could justify a stationary unit. That was until a friend wanted to store some tools at my place. :-) One of those was a Delta 15" planer so I got a chance to use one and was surprised a few things:1) Speed: no contest, the Delta's feed rate, depth of cut and raw power let it win hands down.
   2) Finish: Again, no contest, but the Makita won this one! In particular on light cuts.
   3) Noise: They are both ridiculous in the shop, but the Delta is louder
   4) Blade change: Makita... Good, Delta......bad.What I discovered was this. For me, if I had to have one planer, it would be the Makita. The only thing that the 15" planer did better was to hog off material quickly, or make cuts over 12" wide. Ideally, I would use the Delta as "rough" planer and do my finish cuts on the Makita. Otherwise, I do as I do now, if I am planing rough sawn material I just take a lot of passes.Best,John

1. 
   JoeOxfordCT | Sep 30, 2008 12:47pm | #9

   John, I know you're a big fan of Makita but what are your thoughts on Grizzly tools ? They seem to offer a lot of bang for the buck. The Makita planer is going to run me about $450. Grizzly has one here that looks pretty good for about $200 less ?http://www.grizzly.com/products/12-1-2-Planer/G0505I can't believe Stevensons went belly up !?!? They just built that kitchen showroom a few years back....There must be some underlying issues. I liked Richie at the order desk, real nice guy. I live in Oxford now and Oxford Paint & Hardware just expanded and is busy & thriving..? They close on Saturdays by noon which stinks but....
   I still go to West End to get my trim. I like their solid crown and windsor casing.

1. 
   JMartinsky | Sep 30, 2008 02:51pm | #10

   Dear Joe,
   In general, I think that Grizzly tools are good and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of their industrial tools, if it suited my need. The planer that you are suggesting, I would stay away from, mainly on gut instinct. For that kind of money, I don't think that it is the type of tool that will perform at the level of the Makita, in particular, over time. Best,John

3. 
   Cincinnati | Oct 01, 2008 08:54pm | #11

   DeWalt DW735. Bought mine from Tool King w/free delivery. 13". Two feed speeds.

   Greg

   •••••••

   Exo 35:30-35

4. 
   RMillard | Oct 01, 2008 10:33pm | #12

   I have one of the early Delta's and while lacking some of the improvements of their current tools, it has worked well for me for over 9 years. If mine were to give out today, I get a Delta, so that is what I would recommend.

   Rob Millard

   http://www.americanfederalperiod.com