Chuck I had thought of getting a spiral head for the jointer and have to say I thought long and hard only to realize that that cut was far from the finished surface so why spend so much on a surface that will still be worked? If cost were no issue I'd say go for it but you will be sanding and for really figured grain you may also be hand planing which if done properly will leave you with the best surface. I guess it depends on how much time you have and how much work to do. But you'll also likely be sanding if not using a hand plane. At least that's the direction I'm headed at this point but that doesn't mean it's for everyone. I really just want my planner to dimension the thickness and be flat. If I run the board on the jointer first properly and get a flat surface then a 90 degree edge I'm golden. Plane to thickness and continue the project. A few passes with a well tuned jack or smoothing plane will leave surface that's velvety smooth and ready for a finish. At least that the theory I'm working with for now. I could be way off here of course as I haven't gotten the planes yet ready for work.The big difference between that and a floor standing model is depth of cut. The King I have which is sold under many other names including I think Jet will take a 1/8" cut per pass. It's bigger and more robust with more power. Mine runs on 220. I've run 20' rough lumber through it and one of the reasons I wanted it is I have access to lots of rough lumber here which would wind up working a small planer too hard. I'd love to upgrade to a Byrd spiral segmented head but it's worth as much as the rest of the planer. It might still be an option for you but the reviews are pretty good with straight knives too. I get some pretty bad tearout with the white birch I run through mine.
And I'll add to that, Jon - turn your DC on first and then start the planer. If your hoses aren't fastened with clamps and your bag has any weak spots or leaking seams or loose lid then the blower on the 735 will knock the hoses off and show you any weak spots in your DC system... not in a good way! :wink:The key will be dust collection. Don't try connecting it to a standard shop vac and if you use a cyclone chip collector make certain the lid is fastened tight.
Enjoy.
Hello Steve, I purchased the Cutech 8" jointer with carbide inserts several years ago and have jointed a couple hundred feet of maple, walnut and cherry and I'm totally satisfied with its performance. It doesn't have a long bed on it, but I haven't had any issues jointing 4' lengths and that's without using the bed extenders.I wish I could find an 8" jointer this good and at this price point.
I'm adding a 4"45-degree elbow off the planer port for two reasons.And I'll add to that, Jon - turn your DC on first and then start the planer. If your hoses aren't fastened with clamps and your bag has any weak spots or leaking seams or loose lid then the blower on the 735 will knock the hoses off and show you any weak spots in your DC system... not in a good way! :wink:
David
Steve the spiral cutters might still require sanding out imperfections but it's easier to sand those out than it is to sand tear out smooth. Any type cutter heads require some sanding anyway to get rid of chatter marks.Chuck I had thought of getting a spiral head for the jointer and have to say I thought long and hard only to realize that that cut was far from the finished surface so why spend so much on a surface that will still be worked? If cost were no issue I'd say go for it but you will be sanding and for really figured grain you may also be hand planing which if done properly will leave you with the best surface. I guess it depends on how much time you have and how much work to do. But you'll also likely be sanding if not using a hand plane. At least that's the direction I'm headed at this point but that doesn't mean it's for everyone. I really just want my planner to dimension the thickness and be flat. If I run the board on the jointer first properly and get a flat surface then a 90 degree edge I'm golden. Plane to thickness and continue the project. A few passes with a well tuned jack or smoothing plane will leave surface that's velvety smooth and ready for a finish. At least that the theory I'm working with for now. I could be way off here of course as I haven't gotten the planes yet ready for work.
Keep an eye on that for the first little while Steve. Sharp 90s can plug much more easily and those machines can pack the sawdust in pretty tight if they do get plugged. VOE there. I wound up removing the chute on my big planer.I'm adding a 4"45-degree elbow off the planer port for two reasons.
1. to slightly slow down the velocity of the chips before adding the hose from the dc.
2. to angle the hose down and away from the outfeed table.
I'll use this cuff to attach to the planer port before adding the elbow. I can recommend these Powertech cuffs as very strong and secure.
Steve