Replies

1. 
   woodchuckc | Jan 21, 2005 08:49pm | #1

   Ethan,

   I've had one for about 6 months, but I've only had a chance to run a couple of hundred bf of oak through it so far.

   My impressions so far:  very solid machine, easy to adjust, pretty quiet, good dust collection, built in casters are very handy.  I haven't had the need to change blades yet, so I can't comment on ease of replacement.  I would buy it again.

   By the way, mine has the standard cutterhead, not the spiral knife version.

   Hope this helps,

   -Chuck

2. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 21, 2005 10:06pm | #2

   Ethan

   The powermatic is better than most in this size range.  You won't be dissappointed.  If it's one of the newer ones, they're almost identical to the Jet version, which I have.  The blade changes are a snap, except that you have to remove a bunch (I think 6) screws to remove the dust collection shroud to get at the blades.  It takes me longer to remove and replace the shroud than it does to change the blades.  Mine came with a knife setting guage, and the gibs are spring loaded, so it's a snap.  Expect 2-3 inches of snipe at each end unless you really want to tinker in areas of the machine where the mfg. doesn't want you to access.  I did it anyway, and have very little snipe, if any.

   Jeff.

1. 
   Mutinyguy | Jan 21, 2005 10:22pm | #3

   What type of "tinkering" did you do to the planer?

   Jim

1. 
   RickL | Jan 21, 2005 11:31pm | #4

   I know of someone that had the same problem and fixed it by dropping the bedrolls below the table. Just keep the table waxed.

2. 
   JeffHeath | Jan 22, 2005 08:16pm | #6

   Jim

   About 3 years ago, I acquired an old Oliver 18" planer, and my love for old woodworking tools made in the good ole U.S. of A. became a passion.  On the Oliver website, they posted specific settings for the infeed and outfeed rollers in relation to the cutterhead and table.  Using a dial caliper, I set my Jet rollers to the same specs, and it really improved the quality of cut.  I no longer have to allow for an extra 6 inches or so to cut 3 off each end (snipe) after planing.  If I have any at all, it disappears with 2 or 3 passes with the smoothing plane, which I finish with on all my furniture.

   I sold the Oliver last year, only because I'm getting a 24" Oliver, and then my Jet 15" will be for sale.  But, until I do, the adjustments made a large difference.

   Jeff

3. 
   Ethan | Jan 22, 2005 07:39am | #5

   Thanks folks, for all your feedback. Looks like this may be a good deal...I'm due for one of those right about now!!