reikimaster

I have enough money right now to get a Delta TP305 planer (about $250 total including sales tax. No shipping ... local).
I have a source for a reconditioned Dewalt DW735 for $379.99 plus amazingly low shipping of $8 so about $388 total. I bought my router from this place and I really have no issues with factory reconditioned stuff. Sometimes I think it's better than "new".

The Delta is a 2-knife, single speed and the Dewalt is a 3-knife, 2 speed. Should I just hold off until I can afford the Dewalt? I know there are folks on here that have the Delta. Is it fine? I just don't want to feel later like I cheaped out and end up wishing I had waited until I could afford the Dewalt.

I think specifically I'm concerned about the screws that hold the knives in the Delta. i've heard lots of stories about people snapping them off or stripping them in the cutter head. Is this really an issue or has it really only affected a few people? The Dewalt looks to be more heavy duty, but doing a reality check here I have to wonder how "heavy duty" I really need.

A new Rigid TP1300LS would cost me about the same as that reconditioned Dewalt if I picked it up locally and paid sales tax on it.

Thoughts invited.

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Joe Lyddon

IMHO ... Hold off for the dewalt 735

bobj3

Hi reikmaster

Stick to your guns and get the Dewalt DW735 from Tool King they are great machines.


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reikimaster

Interesting that you knew where I was looking
I think I even have a $10-off-anything-over-$150 from there ... hehehe... small dent, but it's something.

challagan

The Ridgid got tops in the 300. to 400. planers in a recent test and it has the features of the 500.00 plus models. Just a thought and you get Home Depots Life Time Warranty if you register it. ... not sure what that is worth though. Good luck !

Corey

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reikimaster

Thanks for the heads-up, Corey. I will keep the Rigid in the mix for now as well. Sounds like even though the Rigid is a 2-knife, single speed, it works fine. Biggest complaint on that one seems to be difficulty in finding replacement knives. Price-wise it's very close to that reconditioned Dewalt DW735. For that reason alone, if I was headed in this direction money-wise, I would probably hold out a couple dollars more and get the DeWalt.

Complaints about the DeWalt are mostly aimed at the fact that you get no infeed/outfeed extensions with it and the dust hood is a separate item and it has no stand with it and things like that. I'm reasonably confident that I could make a stand for it and get my DC system hooked up to it one way or another.

Right now I'm only doing small-ish projects, but once I get a planer and get to know the various folks in the area with rough cut lumber available, I can see where I would be getting into bigger things.

bobj3

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 5 out of 5
Great Tool, March 20, 2007
By Bobcat from Helena MT (read all my reviews) (read all my reviews)

"I too did quite a lot of research before purchasing and the cost to quality ratio of this model seemed to be best and was the right fit for me.
I was greatly concerned about complaints expressed by another reviewer stating that blades were not available.
Doing internet research, at first blush, I was inclinded to agree that blades seemed to be missing.
But I wrote to Ridgid and they responded within 1 day stating that there was no problem with blade supply, they were in stock and Home Depot did have access to them. They suggested that I talk to the Special Services desk at my local Depot to verify.
I did, and they did - No problem and they had 6 sets on the shelf. The tool seems to work great. I'm working on hickory and its doing a fine job. Hickory is a pain no matter what tool used on it.
You have to go slow and watch the grain. With that in mind this tool is performing very well and is saving much work and time for me. Building the stand was a cinch.
I was making wood chips within 30 minutes of opening the box.
Connecting a shopvac to the dust port works very well at controlling chips and dust. This is my 3rd Ridgid shop tool and I'm very happy with this and my other purchases."
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Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 5 out of 5
Excellent tool, February 28, 2007
By MikeyF from Sun Prairie, WI (read all my reviews) (read all my reviews)

"After doing a lot of research, this is the planer I selected and I am glad I did. It has plenty of power, cuts smoothly, and the mess is minimized with the vacuum hood attachment. Replacement blades are readily available doing a simple Google search, and are simple to change.
When using the head lock snipe is manageable IF you have the outfeed table tuned properly.
Tuning takes mere minutes and is worth the time spent.

This is my first Ridgid power tool purchase but will not be my last. Quality is evident throughout and I am very pleased."
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Bob J.

reikimaster

Thanks, Bob. I read those exact reviews.
Rigid available locally at Home Depot for $379 + 8.75% sales tax. ( $412.16)

Reconditioned DeWalt DW735 = $388 total including shipping.
plus I'd have to build a stand and infeed/outfeed extensions and get the dust hood. So $40 or $50 in extras at least. So let's say $438 when all is said and done. Or even round it up to $450 to account for lumber to build the stand and extensions ( or something ).

The difference is under $40. This may come down to how antsy I get.

Bob

Charlie,

I just want to jump in here and say a good word for the Ridgid brand name.

I am a big DeWalt fan and my planer is Dewalt which is one of the first large pieces of equipment that I purchased when starting my shop several years ago. Since that time I have added the Ridgid brand DP, TS and jointer to my shop and have been amazed at the nice quaility those tools have given me. They have been very accurate and prefromed well in everything I have asked of them. I would not hesitate one moment to add another orange item to my shop if the need arises. Of course, just like anything else, you would need to research and explore on a tool by tool bases to make a good decision for what you need, but do not discard the Ridgid name as being sub standard quality by any means. The nice part I have found is the savings in freight and risk of shipping damage.

Good luck on your choice and keep us posted.

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Bob

bobj3

HI reikimaster

I always look at it a bit diff...will the machine be around in 10 years that's to say will it stand up for 10 years or more , if so that would be .125 cents per day to own and use the machine not taking in account the blades you will need to replace....and can I turn around and sell it in two years for just about what I paid for it ..if all the things are true than it's a good buy, the name is a big deal in selling power tools and both DeWalt and Ridgid have good names but the Yellow one will sell quicker than the Gray and Orange one and the yellow one will get more of your money back if you want to sale it and get a bigger one down the road...

There is a trick you can do to the Dewalt to give you a longer in feed and out feed for the machine...that will help on the snip that many small planers give you because of the fold down parts for the infeed and out feed...on many of the machines..
That's to say longer is better


Good Luck

===========

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RWS on YouTube

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Machine Cut ▼
http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/

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Bob J.