Replies

1. 
   Ricks503 | May 03, 2005 05:02pm | #1

   From the reviews the Dewalt was just barely better. That is why I went with the Delta myself and saved the $100+ that I then spent on wood.

   For info on used stuff in your area, check out Craiglist.  They have a Houston listing

   http://www.craigslist.org/about/cities.html

    

   1 - measure the board twice

   2 - cut it once

   3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go

   4 - get a new board and go back to step 1

1. 
   Dustmight | May 04, 2005 04:01am | #3

   I went with the Delta and have been very happy with it. The Delta, DeWalt, Ridgid and Makita seem to get the most attention. I'd buy price if you don't have a strong preference for one over the other.

1. 
   bobtexas | May 04, 2005 10:05pm | #4

   Thanks to you guys for the sound advice.  The Delta 305 is $199 at Lowes and I've got a gift card.  I was considering e-bay but the $50 freight and the worry if it will arrive intact made the Lowes price look even better.

   My next project is a cherry dining room table and for the first time I really need a thickness planer.  I'm just getting my ducks in a row.

   Now if someone can tell me how to build 35 ft of cabinets, bookshelves, entertainment center, and a desk in a two car garage shop while I have ten sheets of plywood stacked on sawhorses.  I love my garage shop but it is tighter than skin on bologna sometimes.

   God Bless,

   Bob

1. 
   Dustmight | May 06, 2005 05:06pm | #5

   Hi Bob - The TP-305 is a different animal than some of the others, as in it has no cutterhead lock.  The price is good, and it'll probably plane well, but the lack of the cutterhead lock means it will snipe both ends of the board alot more than the machines with a lock.  The lock and a dust chute are a couple of features that are worth some extra money IMO.  As far as I know, Lowes also carries the DeWalt 734 for ~ $357.  You might be able to negotiate a 10% discount and add your gift card to help lower the cash outlay.

   Take care,

   Scott

    

1. 
   bobtexas | May 06, 2005 08:49pm | #6

   Thanks Scott.

    

   I hadn't realized that a cutterhead lock is that important.  I've read rants about planer snipe and I want to stay away from that headache.  I've got enough just figuring everything else out.

   So, what's the "best value" thickness planer with a cutter head lock?

   Thanks,

   Bob

2. 
   Dustmight | May 07, 2005 03:44am | #9

   HI Bob - The best value for a new machine at regular retail is probably the Ryobi, but there are often sales and good refurbs available. Last summer Lowes clearanced the 22-580's for $229...tought to beat. Cummins carries refurbed Ridgid's in the $250 range. Redmond's had a bunch of refurbed Delta 22-560's and TP400's for $109 plus s/h about two weeks...all gone now, but you get the idea that sales come and go quickly. Pounce if one of those opportunities comes your way in time....otherwise just pick the one you like best. There's no shame in buying a reconditioned machine with a factory warranty at a steep discount...there's excellent savings opportunities there.

2. 
   jc21 | May 03, 2005 05:33pm | #2

   Fwiw the April 2005 Woodworker's Journal (Volume 29 Issue 2) has a benchtop planer review.  Try posting in Knots, too- you may get few more owner comments. Tool Crib/Amazon also has owner reviews. Here's a link to another older review in Popular Mechanics.

   http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/furniture/1273331.html

   I'm also looking at benchtop planers (still kicking myself for selling my stationary planer some years ago) and think Makita's 2012NB is worth considering. It's usually priced between the DW735 and the Delta 22-580 and has had positive comments- about the only negative one I've found is the oddball outlet size on the optional dust hood. Both the 22-580 and DW735 have had positive magazine reviews but I've heard some of earlier DW735's had problems with sprocket fractures and a few 22-580 owners have mentioned feed problems and trouble switching between the two speeds. Freight cost shouldn't be an issue. The Houston metro area should have plenty of dealers and if you buy online, Tool Crib/Amazon and Woodworkers Supply offer free shipping. One way to save money is with recon machines; Tool Crib/Amazon currently has a recon version of the DW735 for $339.99 (free shipping, 1 year factory warranty), a considerable savings over new.

3. 
   CajunDan | May 06, 2005 08:55pm | #7

   Don't overlook the current DeWalt 734 or a used 733 (which I have). It is a more direct comparison to the Delta price-wise and feature-wise. My 733 has given me no problems, and leaves a beautiful finish. The three cutter 734 should be even better.

   The DeWalt 735 has gotten a bad rep lately due to feed sprocket problems, but the 733 & 734 have not had these problems.

   Regards,

   Dan

4. 
   DougF | May 06, 2005 09:34pm | #8

   Check Knots.  There is a used Delta for sale in Central Texas.

5. 
   cadiddlehopper | May 14, 2005 11:33pm | #10

   I read the first 9 replies. My $.02-worth is that I use a Delta 22-560 which has a locking lever. An occasional snipe still occurs, but it is much better than the older Delta I once owned which is now sold for around $200 as the TP 305. The locking lever is vital, but don't expect perfection. What settled my choice was that the 22-560 was being sold with a stand for less than it cost separately! I bought at Lowe's. I have no idea why, but Lowe's occasionally sells off tools at ridiculous prices. Their sales people even know something about them sometime.

   RoRo