Replies

1. 
   AlanWS | Oct 23, 2005 08:10pm | #1

   It sounds like you are asking about what we'd call around here a "benchtop planer", a power tool where 13" is the width, not a "bench plane", a hand tool where the 13" would refer to the length. Your title may not attract the right people to answer your question.

   I'm not an expert, but the Delta and Dewalt planers in that range get good press. I'm happy with my Delta 22-580. The higher speed does give a bit smoother finish, but it's not a big difference. Keeping the blades sharp makes a lot more difference.

   
   

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   Edited 10/23/2005 1:11 pm by AlanWS

1. 
   janscape | Oct 24, 2005 09:32am | #2

   Thanks AlanWS-

   Yes, thats what I meant, benchtop planer. I'm good at mistakes,make em often,sometimes they're so good I make twice. I heard somewhere about a new benchtop planer that has more knives than the usual- maybe it was the Dewalt-cant remember.

   Need to sharpen them up about how often? And do folks tend to do it themselves-like regular hand planes?

   Cheers, Janscape

2. 
   JohnWW | Oct 24, 2005 06:32pm | #3

   The problem with reclaiming old lumber is that it usually contains a lot of grit and embedded sand along with smaller bits of metal and hard rust particles left behind when you pull out the screws and nails it contained.  All of these rapidly nick and dull the planer's blades, so if you are going to be doing a lot of work with reclaimed lumber, try to choose a machine with the least expensive disposable blades.  Other than that, most of the machines are more alike than different, and any of the major brands will give good service.

   John W.

1. 
   sharpblade | Oct 25, 2005 04:13am | #4

   I second JJW's warning, working reclaimed lumber is hard on your tools.  I sugest you also get yourself one of them dedicated small metal detectors (wizard brand comes to mind) for at least finding nails and other metals objects  that are deeply embedded and hard to see.  Won't help with rocks, sand  and other grit though.

1. 
   janscape | Oct 25, 2005 11:16am | #5

   Thanks for all the quick feedback on the bench top planers- this site is great, wish I found it a long time ago.

   Now youve opened my eyes to a completly different operation- working with this old material - didnt think of all that other junk in the wood. I do use the small Wizard, but man, when the table saw finds the one nail I didnt, well, you probobly know the feeling.

   So, an entirely different approach- Band Saw! 14" Jet is the one I'm chuffing after. Since I have the oppertunity to run scads of 2"x material( much of it rough) and ample 4x beams, making 1x rwd and old growth doug fir is something I want to do. And need to do. You can see I'm new to the finer art of cabinetry or woodworking-I'm mostly outside construction- but I'm thinking a band saw would be a more useful first purchase than a bench top plane. What I've found so far is that a 14" (w/a 3/4" blade capability & 1 1/4 hp) would fit my work demand. The Jet is being praised a lot and I've heard good things about the Delta too. They both are in my budget range. It is kind of funny how the salesman discribes them- for a hundred more you can get this or that featured to a couple grand pretty quick.

   So, you guys sound like youve been around the shop a while-Jet? and whats with the Rikon or Rokon and Shop Fox? Got any info- I do appreciate it.

   thanks,janscape