Replies

1. 
   DonC | May 15, 2002 08:37pm | #1

   I have seen a demo of the Dewalt at our club meeting. It was hosted by the mfg. They claim no snipe guarantee. I liked what I saw. Very portable too.

   Don

2. 
   fdampier | May 15, 2002 09:07pm | #2

   I have the Delta version and while I certain have my issues with Delta this baby has been wonderful.  you won't believe how great is is untill you turn a piece of junk wood into a piece of art!  I used mine as both a planer and a joiner.  With a long infeed/ outfeed table and a wide block of wood you can straigthen out up to a six inch wide board.

     I'm am well over ten thousand bd. ft.  with mine.  best power tool for the money.

1. 
   triswhite | May 16, 2002 10:55pm | #4

   Frenchy,

   Can you explain how you use your planer as a jointer?

   Thanks,

   Tris

1. 
   fdampier | May 17, 2002 07:24am | #7

   As you know the Delta's cutter head is on the top.  What I do is jury rig a infeed table and out feed table at the height I want to joint (straighten one edge)  I then have a flat piece of about 1/4 inch thick 6 inch wide plate that's 8 feet long I lay across the bottom. next to it I clamp a 4x4 block that I squared up. Using the block as a fence I send the piece of wood through on edge.  If it's a real bow I might have to make several passes. 

     I stopped doing this when I bought my Grizzly 8 inch jointer

1. 
   PhilipOrr | May 22, 2002 03:50pm | #8

   Thanks for the advice. Looks like Delta is the way to go.

   Philip

3. 
   jackiechan | May 16, 2002 05:37am | #3

   PJ,

   The Delta is a true workhorse that is both rugged and powerful (for its class).  I just put a new Delta 22-580 13" 2-speed planer into service in my custom furniture shop, and it is doing an outstanding job.  I've run everything from white oak to rock maple through the unit, and because of the cutter lock, I have yet to see a snipe on a single board.

   Popular Woodworking Magazine's 2002 Tool Buying Guide rated both the Delta 22-560 the Dewalt DW733, and the Ridgid TP1300 (made by Craftsman) the top three machines in their class, with the Delta as #1.

   Here's four good reasons to go for the Delta. 1) The knife changing is as easy as removing a cover, unbolting the blade, and replacing it onto the precut blade notches - no adjustment necessary. 2) The knife blades are reversible for longer use between replacements - The Dewalt only comes with single edged blades. 3) The Delta cutterhead lock is outstanding at reducing/eliminating snipe. And finally, 4) In the States the Delta costs about $80 less than the Dewalt.

   Buy the Delta, and pick up the optional Dust Connection Connector (part # 55-445) to hook it up to a 4" outlet dust collection system.

   I hope that helps!

   - JC

4. 
   Trees2dust | May 16, 2002 11:49pm | #5

   I will put in my vote for the Delta 560.  I have owned one for about 3 years now, and it has worked flawlessly.  I can also attest as to how easily the blades are changed.  Until 2 weeks ago, I had been using the same edges on the original blades, putting off the task of flipping them over because I hate reading instructions (even If I could find them!)  Finally one evening I removed the dust chute, pulled out the Allen wrench that came with the machine (which sits nicely in its own holder so you can't lose it), figured out that it was for the blade hold-down bolts, and had the job done in ten minutes.  AND- get this- about 8 of those ten minutes were spent turning the cutter head round and round, looking for the third blade.  I was trying to use the same method I used to replace the cutters on my jointer- replace one blade, tighten it up, go to the next one, until you get all 3 replaced.  I finally wrote "1" on one blade and "2" on the other.  When I realized it was a 2-blade cutter head I couldn't stop laughing at myself!  So even without instructions and a spaced-out operator, blade changes are a breeze.

   My only complaint (and probably the neighbors') is it's LOUD.  I've heard from a Makita owner that the Makita is much quieter.

   Rick

5. 
   shome3 | May 17, 2002 12:48am | #6

   I have the Delta 560 and have found it to be a great value.  Delta has discontinued the 560 here in the states and replaced it with the 565.  The 565 is the same basic machine as the 560 but has longer infeed and outfeed tables and comes with a stand.  Their newest machine is the 580 which is a two speed machine and has received good reviews and comments.  The price difference between the 565 and 580 is currently about $120 U.S while the 560, if you can find one, sells for less.  I selected the Delta over the Dewalt because the Delta was about $100 less expensive  at the time and I preferred throw away double sided blades to blades that needed to be resharpened.  I am on my third or fourth set of blades.  Blades are quite easy to change out on the 560. 

   One comment relative to an earlier post.  The Rigid planner is not made by Craftsman.  Craftsman is a Sears brand name for tools manufacturered by a number of different companies.  The Rigid planer is made by Emerson Electric and is considered by many to be an excellent planner.   At one time all major Craftsman power tools were made by Emerson Electric.  Emerson was dropped by Sears.  Home Depot, a large hardware retail chain is now using Emerson to manufacture large power tools under the Rigid name.  Namely the mentioned planner, a table saw, band saw and drill press.  Unless you have a Home Depot or an affliate the Rigid tools are probably not available to you.     

   Good luck on your quest.