I am currently looking into purchasing a planer for a light to (hopefully) a medium duty shop. Use down the road would mostly be to dimension rough stock. Initial use would be to be for thickness and glue ups. Willing to pay a little more for a quality machine. Needs to be user friendly since multiple users. Have been looking in the range of a 15″ to 24″. So far have only Looked at the usual, Powermatic, Delta. Just looking for some pro’s and cons of some models and/or makers to save on wasted time researching if possible. I initially figured up to $3000 but willing to squeeze a little more if the quality and features pay off in the long run.
Thank You
Replies
On 15" models, Popular Woodworking gave Editor's Choice to the Jet. Don't know about Delta's larger machines, but their 15" rates quite poorly. For 20" models, folks seem to rave about the Grizzly. I believe there was some discussion about this about a month ago. You may want to check the archives.
Jeff
I have the Woodtek 20", and it has been good for me, but if I had had 3k for one, I would have gove with an older PM or Delta. 3 phase is more likely in these heavier, older machines, and I don't know if that is an issue for you.
I have had an American made Woodmaster for 15 years and I am delighted. A 5 hp 220 american motor and 18" capacity satisfiy all my needs.
John Cabot
PemI purchased a new 15" delta a few months ago. At first I had a few problems with set up adjustments & a few set screws. Some of the set screws were soft( China) so I bought some american metric screws & did the set up very, very carefuly. I have barely perceptable snip & no other problems.
Good luck pem
Check out the section where people list used items. yesterday someone listed a planer, I think, that seemed to meet your specs.
I purchased the 15" Delta 6 months ago. I use it daily. Apart from the height locking mechanism,which is lame,it's a good solid machine.I would buy it again.If I didn't need a planer small enough to roll around my shop, I would probably have gotten a 20" Extreema.
Glendo
Edited 3/7/2003 1:19:15 AM ET by Glendo
If you are willing to spend $3000 don't even consider a new planer made in Asia. For that amount of cash you can purchase a good used Powermatic 180, 221 or 225 and pass it on to your grandkids after you retire.
Dave Koury
There was an ad for a General 14" on this forum in the last couple of days .They are tough, reliable,Canadian machines and tthat one sounded almost new.
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