Hello all,
I’m interested in upgrading my bench top planer to a more robust floor model. I’ve read a few reviews on 15″ machines and looked at a couple. My shop doubles as a garage so I need a machine that is capable of being moved into place for use and otherwise stored. I have a few friends that I have talked to that suggest a 20″ machine as a 15 is at the bottom of the mid sized machines.
I’m considering the Powermatic 209, although the Grizzly 0454 has a very attractive price. Both of which are 20″ machines. Does anyone have suggestions or recommendations of what machines are better and which are less desirable?
Bear in mind that I’m an amateur woodworker and this machine will never see more than several hours use a year. I’m wondering if a 20″ machine is overkill and I can get away with a 15?
Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Gary
Replies
There is a great article in Fine Woodworking about mid size planers. They are all made in Taiwan in the same factory to the manufacturers specs. There is not much difference between them. I bought a 16inch Jet which I am happy with. It is a Delta knock off. Like the Delta the head moves and not the table. Some of the 15inch planers have a moving table which means that any infeed or outfeed extensions need to also move. I didn't like that option and went with the movable head. If you are only going to use the planer occasionally get a 15inch. It is considered a entry level small production shop planer which could be run a couple hours a day with no problem.
Tony, Puterboy,Thanks for your responses. Tony, I do realize that when using single wide boards that there is typically cupping and twisting after the fact. I'm thinking of the extra capacity because I've had several instances when a glued up panel would be flattened that much faster by running it through the planer rather than sanding and scraping those seams flush. As for using a local cabinet shop, I wish I had one around in my local area but that's not an option. I'm really trying to decide between the 15 and 20 inch unit. I hate to part with the amount of floor space a 20" machine will take up but the extra capacity is very enticing. Knowing that you'll likely never meet up with a board or panel that won;t fit.....I do like the feature of the Delta 15 in that the infeed/outfeed tables collapse for storage. It's interesting to note that no where in the Delta owners manual or write up on their website does it mention that fact.Puterboy, Any chance that you remember which issue that article was published in? I've gone back through all the FWW issues that I can locate and don;t see one.Thanks again guys. Appreciate the feedback.
Dear Gary,
I bought the Delta 22-580 13" Two-Speed Finishing Planer over three years ago. I have nothing but good things to say about it. I too am an amateur woodworker, but I use mine weekly. I've never had occassion to wish I had a larger one. I've found using solid boards much over 10" wide to make large panels is problematic because they tend to cup and bow over time.
There are times when I do need a large planer, but they are comparatively rare. I have some nice, 20-24" wide walnut boards quarter-sawn from the stump/low-trunk that are beutifully figured and I want to keep them in one piece for a coffee table. For these, I go use my local cabniet shop's big planer, but thats a once a year type of project. He has the large Grizzly (24"?) and is very happy with it. The only reason he didn't buy the big Delta planer was the price difference.
Hope this helps.
Tony
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