Looking to purchase a power planer

steveo

· #2 · Dec 8, 2004

Bob N said:
What is a good model and any suggestions from those in the know.

Thanks,

Bob N

Bob, I have a two blade "yellow" one. Serves me well, but then again I don't put 100 bf through it every week. Would do it again.
steveo

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Bob N

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 8, 2004 (Edited)

Thanks Steve.... sounds like the one I am looking at. My needs will be ocassional and not heavy duty. I am assuming the 3 1/4 inch model?

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Bob, the size of boards you will need to plane, and how often you intend to use the planer is the first thing to figure out. If the bulk of your work will be resizing dimension lumber you should be fine with a 12" model. Consider that most jointers are 6" capacity and you have to use the jointer to true one surface before using the planer. The planer used by itself will transfer any imperfections on one side of the board to the other. Your wood surfaces will come out parrallel but could be literally full of ups and downs like a sine wave. Reasons you might want a larger planer would be if you are planning to plane boards that have been glued up, most of your work would be with hardwoods, or you intend to run the planer many hours a week. I have yet to purchase a planer since a friend has one at my disposal. He has the 12" Delta with double sided knives and it works like a champ. Blade changes are fast and painless. Have a wide, deep container positioned at the end of your stand to catch the shavings. Its important to blow out the sides of the planer after every couple passes. Dust collection helps but there is still build up that can bind workpieces passing through or jam the height adjusters. Even a small wood chip under the wood will mess up your cut. Bag your clean shavings and you will make good friends with people who have birds and small pets! The shavings can also be used for emergency spill clean ups. Hope this helped.

Mike

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steveo

· #5 · Dec 8, 2004

Bob N said:
Thanks Steve.... sounds like the one I am looking at. My needs will be ocassional and not heavy duty. I am assuming the 3 1/4 inch model?

Bob, model DW733 good for 6 inch max thickness. DW just came out with at three blade model, but then the cost of blade sharpening just went up 50 percent !!
steveo

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Bob N

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 8, 2004

Mike,

I wish I had your advantage with such a friend.

My current needs (which I failed to explain in my original post) will be mainly for small light duty jobs and a power hand planer is more along the lines of what I am looking at.

Your post contains many good points that I did not even think of and I thank you for sharing those.

Bob N.

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Bob N

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 8, 2004

Steve,

I goofed and failed to mention I was looking at a "hand" power planer. The larger ones which I wish I coud have just are not an option for me right now in my "small" shop and area need.

You know anything about the hand power planer from DW? It looks really nice.

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R

reible

· #8 · Dec 8, 2004

Just a little hint here....... Find out how you set the blades, that goes for what ever type planner you are looking for. Sooner or later they need to be replaced/sharpened/realigned, if it is a simple task and if it can be done in a few minutes you are back to woodworking. If you get one that requires a great deal of missing with you could be spending the rest of the night trying to get it right.

That and how it feels in my hand is what I would look for if I were in the market. The looks and specifications are OK to look at but I never pick a tool on just that. I would go to a store that has them where you can get your hands on them before you buy.

BTW I use a hand plane yet for a lot of things, they are a whole lot safer then hand power planes.......

Ed

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Bob N

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 8, 2004 (Edited)

Ed,

As always your words of wisdom are much appreciated and I will remember them in my final decision. You are correct that I won't be planing a great deal of items, however, I have a medical condition that nearly requires power tools over manual tools. I am lucky to have such a good excuse to accumulate tools huh?

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reible

· #10 · Dec 9, 2004

Bob N said:
Ed,

As always your words of wisdom are much appreciated and I will remember them in my final decision. You are correct that I won't be planing a great deal if items, however, I have a medical condition that nearly requires power tools over manual tools. I am lucky to have such a good excuse to accumulate tools huh?

I'm not sure I want your "condition" as I find my own are enough...... but I do like the idea of being able to get more tools that way!

I also wanted to point out there are ways of using the router to do planer operations both in the table and out.......

Now that is it for my .002",

Ed

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Bob N

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 9, 2004

Now you have again raised my curiosity.... I am starting to like you more each post.

Can you tell me more about this?

I don't want to wear out my welcome with so many questions, but I have a hunger for knowledge from the experts here.

I wish I got the show in my area. I could learn so much.

Thanks so much for the patience you and others have had with me thus far.

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J

jbutt1311

· #12 · Dec 9, 2004

hi bob: i own a 10" ryobi...my first planer.....i also purchased a dewalt 12 1/2 .my favorite.this machine has quality written all over it.best of luck in your choice.
john butt
jbutt1311

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x372sailor

· #13 · Dec 27, 2004

Bob N said:
Steve,

I goofed and failed to mention I was looking at a "hand" power planer. The larger ones which I wish I coud have just are not an option for me right now in my "small" shop and area need.

You know anything about the hand power planer from DW? It looks really nice.

Bob;

I bought a small power planer (Makita) to compensate for not having a jointer at the time.

I find that I seldom use the power planer (I do now have a jointer) and I far prefer hand planes (get a few good ones!). So if you haven't already stocked up on hand planes, give that consideration before the power planer. I have a couple of Veritas (Lee Valley) planes that are highly rated and far prefer them to the power plane that I bought first.

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