Buying a planer this week! Thinking about 13″ Delta. What say thee???
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Replies
Groucho,
I have the Delta 13" planer. I selected it based on lots of reviews, and doing some research. It is just fine for a small planer.
I have had one disappointment with it. Every once in a while, it would not let any wood through. After many calls to the customer service line, and being told to clean the rollers, I finally tried to figure it out myself. I raised the cutterhead all the way to the top, and donned ear protection and face protection, and turned the sucker on.
Then I moved the selector knob from fast to slow, and back (slowly). The problem became OBVIOUS. On my machine, there is a "dead spot" on the switch, in which the rollers stop moving, but the motor does not. The dead spot is not always in the same place as you move the switch, so it keeps you guessing.
Whenever I have the problem now, I just move the switch, and get it out of the dead spot.
Others have written about this problem on Knots, so I am not the only one.
The switch moves between two speeds. One is called a "finish" speed. Like everyone else, I can't see any difference between the two.
HOpe that info helps. The planer does a great job. I put curly maple through it, and there was little if any tearout. Of course, I dampened the curly maple before putting it through, and I put it through at an angle. Both of those things help on figured wood.
I am merely a hobbyist. I hope you get some feedback from people who really know what they are talking about.
Enjoy, and best of luck.
Mel
Measure your output in smiles per board foot.
I have the Dewalt, it also has the two speads and unless I am working with tempremental wood (that does not plane well) I can not tell the difference between the two speeds either.
I have the extension tables for this and they are a bit of a pain to set up the first time. Also if you use dust colection (and on this thing if you don't it makes a huge mess) the port stops the outfeed table from flipping up out of the way.
Other then that I really like the planer. The stand could use to be taller and i will revise it when i have time but then again I am 6'5" so that may be part of the issue. I used to have the Delta 13" (the older one) in the last shop and I liked that also. I have not used the newest Delta planer however.
Well that is the little bit that I can help you with.
Doug Meyer.
9619........ Same here; hobby shop. But filled with my toys... Trying to avoid pitfalls. Ya know; shoulda, coulda, woulda.. Thanks for tidbits.
I've got a Delta 22-580 13" that replaced a 22-560 12.5". Both were really good to me. The 22-580 has some additional features like the 2-speed cutterhead, which is nice, but not essential. To me the essentials are a cutterhead lock to reduce snipe, and the option of dust collection.
If the price was right, I'd buy the 580 again, but if another machine were available at a great price, I'd consider the DeWalt 734 and DW735, Ridgid, Makita, and the Delta TP400LS (formerly the 22-560).
Last week Amazon was offering the TP400LS for $270 shipped which makes it pretty attractive IMHO.
I have a Dewalt 735 with 2 speeds and so far it has been a dream to work with. I aslo found that changing blades is a snap as thay don't cut staples as well as they do wood. Have fun with whichever one you get they do wonderful work.
Greg
GW.......... Been there on the jointer........but with nails not staples. Shoot if your going to Fugg it up; lets get serious about it! Thanks for feedback.
I have a like new Makita 2040 15" planer you can have for $800. Pick it up in Warren, MI.
DJK
Thanks but.................. Mi. is a bit of a journey. Plus where does one stop? 15"-20"-etc........ I'm only a hobby guy, you know; and a bit of a dreamer.
Groucho,If I wasn't under such time pressure I'd think seriously about going to Michigan myself for that Makita planer. I've had mine for 27 years and it's planed thousands upon thousands of feet of wood. We've had Grizzly and Delta 20" planers but always did the finish planing on the Makita. It's the only one we kept when we sold off excess equipment. The speed reduction kit isn't easy to come by these days and I don't think they sell the 2040 in the US any more. It's not the fastest planer around but I've never seen a better finish come from a planer. I've used Parks, Powermatic, Belsaw, Wood Master, Grizzly, Delta and probably a few others I can't think of now. I saw DJK's classified and seriously considered making an offer if he'd crate and ship it. We just don't have room to store it as a back-up and I don‘t think I need a back-up at this point. I've made a few smart buys in equipment over the years. The Makita 2040 is one of the best machines I ever bought. It's stuck with me through a whole career in wood working and I haven't seen its equal on the market today.
Wow! uit a testimony from and obviously experianced woodworker. You may have the solution...... Thanks for your data.
DJK
I am interested in your planer. Would you consider changing your email settings in "My Forums" so we can discuss the details??
had a ryobi for a few years,ok.not great. 2 years ago went to dewalt 13-1/2in 2 speed and found it great. its a very made and welldesigned,stable,clean cutting machine. only draw back is due to one of its better features,ie the exhaust is so good and strong you must have a good collection system. the one dewalt sells consists of a cloth bag with a draw string designed to fit over the top of a standard garbage can. sometimes it leaks and if not tight can be blown off making the shop look like denver last week or so. (also bag not cheap) no matter what i will still keep it. had some oak recently which hardly needed any sanding. its a phenominal (? spelling) machine for the money. good luck....oldww
I have had a Rigid 13 1/2" planer for about three years. have never had any trouble other than my dust collection (shop vac)can't always keep up. It is simple to change blades and even comes with the tools needed to do it. i've used it on everything from Cedar to Hard maple and nothing seems to slow it down.
good Luck there are loads of choices out there.
Dan you are certainly right about the amount of choices. That's what make it a little tricky trying to decide. Just like buying candy in a candy store; only a bit more expensive. Thanks for the information...
Look closely at the De Walt DW735. I've had mine for two years and couldn't be happier. I swear I've planed oak and redheart that didn't need sanding. It consistently rates at the very top in reviews too. Whatever you get, have fun, be careful and use hearing protection (HUH?)
Fussy
It sounds good.. I have other dewalt tools that I like. Thanks...
A little more information would be helpful. What's your budget? How much work do you intend to do with said planer?? I have the Delta 12.5" planer, and it's done a very fine job for me, with little snipe and producing nice even finishes on the boards. However, given a little bigger budget (and a time machine -- bought mine 3 or 4 years ago), I'd get the DeWalt 2-speed planer with the optional aux. tables.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Well I purposely tried to keep it simple. I want to know about performance, not price.
"I want to know about performance, not price." A price-range is important data! If you're stuck in the Delta benchtop price range, the Delta or Rigid might be your best performers. Most of us will assume, since you said Delta 13", that's where you're maxed out $$-wise. However, if you can spring another $150 or so, other doors open up.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
OK already........... Bla- Bla-Bla, Bla-Bla.
Still no recommendation... A lot of opinions about nothing; just like most women I know!
this is the old ww again;read all your replys. my opinion on the dewalt ia that the motor does not have 2 speeds,therefore: little notice in the sound or whatever. however,i think the wood moves through faster. two speed feed. again good luck in your choice (dont cry if its not dewalt,though!!!)
First of all.......... Thanks everyone for the recommendations! I appreciate your advice and time.
But I'm still standing here at the candy counter (just like 55 years ago) trying to decide. But; It's not like I'm going to use it every day!!
The one thing I'm certain of; it will outlast me! Thanks again!!
The motor runs at the same speed when it is on but the feed speed changes from a fast feed for rough cuts to a slower speed for finish work.
I used to have the Delta 13" 2-speed. It did a fine job. But about two months after I got it, I couldn't push the lever over to change to the slower feed speed. I used it on the faster feed for a couple of years, and it worked well. The headlock really does help to reduce the chance of sniping. (Just don't push down on the outfeed side of the board when you catch it. That will push the end of the board up into the cutters and cause snipe.) At one point it started making a strange noise. I took it to a service center. They adjusted and cleaned it, and it was as good as new. The speed change even worked again. However, I had to push the lever over very hard sometimes to avoid that no-feed stage. To tell the truth, I don't think the "fine" finishing speed really makes much difference in the smoothness of the surface. You have to sand or scrape anyway to get a really smooth finish. Anyway, I kept reading good reviews of the Makita 12" planer. I had a chance to get one for a really good price on Amazon because of some coupons I had. I sold the Delta and got the Makita. It works as well as the Delta and is much lighter, important if you have to move it around much. So far I don't miss the extra inch of width capacity. A lot of people also like the Ridgid. As far as quality of planing is concerned, there are a lot of good choices. You could consider price, color (green, blue, orange, yellow), availability, portability, ease of blade changes, and several other factors in your choice. You probably won't go wrong.
groucho,
I bought the Delta. What a nightmare! It arrived without handles.. I called Delta and for a couple of weels got a run around, even a lecture from one of the customer service reps, well more like a sermon, but I digress!
When I finally got to a head customer service rep I threatened to return it to Home Depot (where I'd bought it) That got some action!
she promised to send them to me overnight air frieght!
then called back to tell me there were none in stock.. instead she sent a whole new one.. inside were two sets of handles!
I called her up and informed her and she said the local rep would drop by and pick up the second one.. that was over 4 years ago.. good thing I had two of them,, I could steal parts back and forth and keep one running..
I still have the hulk from one of them the other I sold for $100.00
Now ask me about my delta table saw experiance>> just ask!
I dare you!
Frenchy------------- You brought back a nightmare, I had tucked away from long ago. Ditto on the Delta saw problem!
Delta is definately out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for reminding me!
So, like, what happened, man?
Had a lot of problems with the switch.........Had to terrorize them to get a replacement.
Groucho,
Too bad about Delta. As to your question to Willyx2 about the DeWalt extensions; I built my own of mdf and 1x pine. Made them 30" long for each end and laminated top with melmac to make the lumber slide better. It was all scrap, so it was basically free. Works fine. Snipe was never much of an issue anyway. This just makes long boards easier to handle. Luck to you.
Two ways to keep your wife happy:
1. Let her think she's having her own way.
2. Let her have her own way.
Just got a dewalt 735 for Christmas, ran a few pieces thru and it a does a great job. Get ready to plunk down another 100 bucks for infeed/outfeed tables and the sawdust collector. Weighs about 100 pounds so use your legs when lifting, this tool/toy works great. I recommend it highly
good luck
Willy--------Very timely......... I just looked at the 735 this morning. Say, what's your opinion on the table extentions? Also; what's the performance regarding snipe?
I'm about ready to go for the 735.
Just went out to the garage and measured the length of the extensions and they are a whole 8 7/8" of extension....whoop tee doo!!! They did come from dewalt set up correctly (approx. 1/16" tilted up....to reduce snipe) I have only played with it like I said a few times and still notice a little snipe approx. 3" from the end:( It could be operator error) but me thinks I will build a larger outfeed table in addition to the dewalt extensions. So far I am very pleased with the planer-2 outfeed speeds are nice!
Good luck Groucho-whatever tool you choose.
I bought the Delta 2 speed about 2 years ago and it has help up well under moderate use. No complaints. Good product for the comparative price.
Are you even paying attention ?? Err I think "HE" is me !!
Forget about it !! Go back to your forest.
"Err I think "HE" is me " Just realized a minute ago that could be the case. I guess we'll just put each other on "ignore" (little orange button). forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I have the delta. I like it. Sometimes the pressed steel extensions "turn me off," but I get over it. Occasional snipe, as others have said. I would buy it again.Rp
DONE
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