Replies

1. 
   stevo_wis | Feb 02, 2006 05:52am | #1

   I have the older taiwanese powermatic 15. I got it used for $800 and have run it hard for 3 years. The only problem i had was adjusting the rollers so that they lined up with the bed. Blade changing is relatively easy.

   It looks like they have replaced the rollers with cast extensions, so that problem hopefully taken care of.

   I have been very pleased with this planer but not sure how it compares to the 15s.

   Stevo

2. 
   triplenet | Feb 02, 2006 09:00pm | #2

   Dan,

   I have had a PM 15" with the roller tables for about 4 yrs. It was a freight damaged return, but unused. Have had no problems and have run a lot of lumber thru it. Have not yet sharpened blades, but probably should.

   Bob

3. 
   maplegroup | Feb 03, 2006 05:08am | #3

   Being from Canada, I think the higher cost of labour and maybe some material drives the price up (although the General Canadian made cabinet saw seems to be in line with others pricewise)

   Is it a good machine? - Yes - top quality. These machines were in High School woodshop programs all across Canada (when school woodshop still existed) and were seriously used/abused and were still able to be put back into good operating condition with very little repair -many after 30-40 years of use/abuse. This unit would probably last several generations for the average woodworker / 1 person shop use.

   Is it that much better than the Tiawanese planers to justify the price? I don't think so - Most of the import 15" planers are well built and run hard, will outlast you without much problem. I was very interested in that particular 14" General when I was in the market, but bought a 20" import w/ 2 speeds / built in mobile base/ cast iron extension tables and 4 knife cutterhead that was 2/3 the price. I just couldn't justify the cost and I really am more concerned with it lasting my lifetime more than several generations after.

   I've never run a Powermatic 15" but their reputation is good so I don't think you would wear it out or have any major problems for a good long time if ever. Good luck. 

   
   

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   Edited 2/2/2006 9:10 pm ET by maplegroup

1. 
   gerald | Feb 03, 2006 06:36am | #4

   Is your 20" planer a King Industrial ? 

1. 
   maplegroup | Feb 03, 2006 08:00am | #5

   Yes it is - I was origianally dealing on the General International but when I compared the two I couldn't find a difference except the paint colour. Identical units except the King dealer was more willing to deal on the price. I saved aboyt 500.00 on the King. I've been using it for several months and find it a very smooth running, quiet machine with near 0 snipe. The mobile base works great (which is a plus since it weighs 900lbs)

4. 
   Sawdust9 | Feb 09, 2006 04:24am | #6

   Just got the PM 15S into the basement up and running. I am extremly impressed with the noise level of the unit, the cyclone was louder than the planer on my initial runs. Upgrading from a lunch box this was one of the major criteria I was concerned with in a basement shop. Cut quality seemed very good on the initial runs. So far so good, at this point I'm very happy I selected the PM 15S.   

5. 
   tangomike | Feb 12, 2006 04:29am | #7

   I'm shopping for a new planer and have it narrowed down to the same 2 machines.

   The Grizzly's get generally positive comments from users, and the features in the Extreme series is impressive. I wish is had the built in mobile base, which is funny because the base level 15" grizzly has that. The Powermatic does as well.

   I think I know what the Powermatics spiral cutterhead looks like, I definitely know what the Grizzly has. Do you know if they are the same?

   I would also like to know if it is easy to adjust the rollers and table on the grizzly, I know the PM has roller adjustments and the table can be shimmed.

   Does the PM come with a hood for attaching to a dust collector?

   BTW, Amazon has a deal on the PM, no shipping and you get a dewalt sawzall thrown in at no extra charge.

1. 
   martindelittle | Feb 18, 2006 10:20pm | #8

   Hi chaps, Martin from the UK here...

   Here is a thought on planers and similar... .... ROJEK is a Czechoslovakian company with a long and distinguished engineering pedigree.

   They have been selling planers et al for a while now. Excellent  machines, cast iron tables, power feed,  four blade cutter heads, lots of grunt.

   I see that they are now in the USA.... Check out their web  site....

   http://www.rojekusa.com/PHP/index.php

   Oh  and not cheap but;   you gets what you pays for these days....