Replies

1. 
   ukdave | Aug 16, 2004 11:37pm | #1

   You said non-production work - right?  Run, don't walk, to your nearest Lowes to see if they still have a Delta 13" planer.  If so, you can most likely pay close to 50 cents on the dollar as many of the stores are "closing them out". 

   Dave

1. 
   twotowers | Aug 17, 2004 03:57am | #4

   Dittos on the Delta 13"

    It offers guaranteed satisfaction period.

   Jim

2. 
   CStanford | Aug 16, 2004 11:41pm | #2

   I'm quite sure that our hosts, The Taunton Press, have done a review in the not-so-distant past.  Perhaps somebody can provide a volume number and you can do them the favor of ordering a back issue.

   No doubt you will likely end up with a Delta, Jet, Grizzly, or Rigid model.  They'll all do the job, but bear in mind you are not buying an industrial quality tool when you buy a 12"   *portable* planer.

   My vote is for the one with the absolutely fewest bells-n-whistles.  I also like the idea of disposable knives.

3. 
   Dustmight | Aug 17, 2004 01:05am | #3

   Most hobbyists go for a Delta, DeWalt, or Ridgid. Pop WWing did a review not too long ago and rated the DW735 2-speed top pick, the Delta 22-580 2-speed best buy, and had favorable comments about the Ridgid. A few years back, it was the Delta 22-560 (now the TP400) that was considered a good bang for the buck. Most of the better names should do a good job for you. Features like a cutterhead lock to reduce snipe are worth having. You may also want to decide whether you want disposable or resharpenable blades.

   Like someone else suggested....call all the surrounding Lowes NOW(!), and see if there are any 22-580s left....they're clearanced from $447 to $229....tough deal to beat. (Amazon's sale price is currently $379)

   
   

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   Edited 8/16/2004 6:07 pm ET by scotty

1. 
   Manny_P | Aug 18, 2004 07:18pm | #9

   Thank you very much for posting the info on Lowes discount on delta planer.  I've been wanting to buy one and because of the price (very difficult to sell to wife) I waited.  But when I read your post I ran over to Lowes after work and they had one on the floor with no price listed.  Asked the cashier to check the price and there it was, $229.  $150 less than anywhere else.

   Thanks, can't wait to make LOTS of sawdust over the weekend.

   Manny P

1. 
   Dustmight | Aug 18, 2004 10:10pm | #10

   Great to hear it Manny....hope all goes well for you.

   Funny story regarding mine: A member on another forum whom I've never met, alerted me to a unit still available at a store near me. I grabbed it last Friday, drove it home and sent off an update note to thank him just like you did. He responded back asking if I was by any chance heading west on a local expressway in a red car with the planer in my back seat....turns out I was! We live in a medium sized city with ~900,000 people, and he spotted me taking the loot home!

1. 
   daviddodd | Aug 18, 2004 10:43pm | #11

   That's too funny.

   I'm also looking to get a planer, and searched 4 local Lowe's, but everyone was out of them. But one store put me on a waiting list, and the rep there thought there was a good chance they were getting more in. I think Lowe's is helping Delta clear out this model.

   So, I'm trying to decide between this Delta planer, which most people seem to like, and the larger DeWalt 735. When all is said and done, the difference in cost is close to $200. I'm still leaning towards the DeWalt because it would seem to be more robust, and has some great features. Is it worth it?

1. 
   Dustmight | Aug 19, 2004 11:50pm | #12

   Take this FWIW b/c I've never used the DW, but considering they both get rave reviews and both perform the same function with similar features, I would'nt hesitate to get the 22-580 @ $229. If you want a more robust machine, consider a stationary unit with an induction motor that'll last a lifetime. The DW is too close in price to the floor units for me, and these portables are not lifetime machines.

4. 
   Curtis | Aug 17, 2004 04:08am | #5

   for a hobbyist I bought a Ridgid. and I think it is a good machine.

   but if I had to do it again, perhaps Ides look into the DeWalt three cutter head. or the newer octagon carbide cutters.sold by grizzly.

   but as I said I am happy at this min. with the Ridgid

   C.A.G.

   
   

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   Edited 8/16/2004 9:09 pm ET by curtis

1. 
   markgraff | Aug 17, 2004 11:37pm | #7

   Last years (I think) "Tools and Shops" special issue reviewed thickness planers and jointers.

   I just got a Ridgid last weekend at Home Depot.  They're running a promo where you get a HD gift card when you purchase a Ridgid tool.  Then they told me I could get an additional 10% off any Ridgid tool if I opened a Commercial Charge Account.

   So I got the Ridgid jointer too.  They would have given me an extra 10% off the jointer if I had taken the floor model, but I didn't think the extra $35 was worth it.

   So my final tally was:

   Planer   $349

   Jointer  $349

   Less $70 for the commercial account

   And I get a $100 gift card

5. 
   GHR | Aug 17, 2004 09:27pm | #6

   Just don't expect to plane 12" wide boards.

   I have a bench top planer, 13" 2-speed Dewalt. It does a nice job on wide wood until the blades start to dull. They start to dull after about 300 lineal feet.

   I use my bench top planer for prototype work only. I send the big jobs out.

6. 
   mike4244 | Aug 18, 2004 12:14am | #8

   I agree with the other posts on the benchtop planers, personally if you think you will use a planer for many years to come, I would buy a machine with an induction motor. None of these machines are bench top though. They are heavy but even the bench tops are a bit heavy to lug around. There are reasonbly priced 13" and 15" machines on the market for under $1000.00. They have several advantages besides a better motor. Induction motors can be repaired or replaced, universal motors on the bench tops are not repaired that I know of. They are much quieter than benchtops and do not take up a lot more room than a bench top on a stand or cart. I have used the older model Dewalt and the original 12" Delta, both of these benchtops did a nice job, loud as heck, but fine for light use. I burned out a Dewalt, used it like it was a production machine, bought a jet with a 1 1/2 hp motor after that. Very happy with the 13" Jet.

   mike