Replies

1. 
   jc21 | Jan 18, 2006 06:10am | #1

   I've got the Makita 2012NB after also considering the DeWalt 735 and Delta 22-580. Been pleased so far. It's noticeably quieter than Delta (you still should wear hearing protection) and particularly the DW and it's more portable than either, iirc the Makita weighs 61 lbs vs the 90+ of the DW and Delta. I'd note the Makita has 1" less capacity, 12" vs the 13" of the Delta and DW.

   
   

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   Edited 1/17/2006 10:16 pm ET by jc21

2. 
   Knotscott | Jan 18, 2006 03:51pm | #2

   There are a handful of top portable models that seem to get consistently high marks.  There are pros and cons with each including price, features, loudness, etc.  I don't think you can go wrong with either DeWalt, the top 2 Delta models (22-580/TP400), Ridgid, or Makita.  If the price of the DW735 gets steep, I'd be considering a stationary model.

3. 
   woodworker79 | Jan 18, 2006 04:04pm | #3

   I've had the Dewalt 735 for a few months now. I did a few small projects with it and also ran some reclaimed wood through it. I think the reclaimed wood is what did my knives in. I just recently changed them because wood was stalling going through the planer. I also had some "nicks" showing up on my pieces. Luckly (and to my surprise) the blades are double edged. I just had to simply open up the unit and turn the blades over. They are pinned, so no need for complicated setup. I had already bought replacements, so now I can just hold on to those until I need a new set.

   Tim

1. 
   Christinastadt | Jan 18, 2006 04:17pm | #4

   Thank you all for the very fast response and for the information. Just as curiosity, Woodworker, what sort of wood was your "reclaimed" wood. Chopping down dead and dried sugar maple trees last automn litterally murdered the chain of my chain saw, despite using lots of oil on it, so the same sort of stuff should kill any edge real fast.

1. 
   table42 | Jan 19, 2006 02:41am | #5

   I've used a dw735 for 1 1/2 years and have used up several sets of blades.  dw's blades don't last as  long as hartville tool's blades.  btw ht sells hss and carbide tipped blades for several portable planers.  based on my experience i would recommend a trial.

1. 
   JohnWW | Feb 08, 2006 09:55pm | #16

   I went to the Hartville Tool site and the only blades they sell are for machines that take conventional rectangular blades that are meant to be resharpened.  Their blades won't fit the majority of modern benchtop planers which use disposable double sided blades that are only available from the machine's original manufacturer.

   John W.

2. 
   woodworker79 | Jan 19, 2006 04:02pm | #6

   The wood reclaimed was oak, ash, etc. from large shipping crates. I didn't run into any nails. The wood was de-nailed very thoroughly. However, I'm sure it was full of ground in dirt. Based on that, I can't give a good idea of how long blades would last under normal conditions. I ran enough of that wood to make a glue up for a workbench. That along with some small projects did the blades in.Tim

1. 
   Biscardi | Jan 20, 2006 06:33am | #7

   Friends,

    

   Does Ryobi still make planers? I have an old 10 inch Ryobi I bought second hand about 8 years ago. It must be 15 years old. It won't die. I have only had to  change the belts a couple of times. I need a bigger machine, but I am waiting until this burns up to replace it. If they still make planers like this I'd buy a larger one.

   Frank

1. 
   Knotscott | Jan 20, 2006 07:48pm | #9

   Ryobi does still make planers.  They're currently phasing out their AP1300 for the AP1301....I wouldn't expect that they're quite as rugged as your AP10 though.

4. 
   muleboy | Jan 20, 2006 08:49am | #8

   If Grizzly still made it I would tell you to take a look at the G1017 12" planner.   I have had mine for about 7 years and am very happy with it.   It isn't pretty but it's a real workhorse and a reliable one at that.  

    

   If I had to buy a planner now I would be looking at the one's with two speed feed rollers like the new Delta 22-580.   There have been times I have wanted to slow the old grizzly down.   especially when planning figured woods like Bird'seye maple.   I tend to be drawn to birdseye maple and burled walnut.

   Another one I would be very interested to try is grizzly's new baby drum sander.  Yep! They are making a 12" drum sander.   That really caught my eye when reading the new 2006 catalog.   I am thinking this could sub for any 12 " planner and the thing has a variable feed rate  0-15 FPM.

   http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0459

   Perhaps if the 1017 dies...

    

   Muleboy.

    

5. 
   K1500 | Jan 20, 2006 08:47pm | #10

   I recently went through your decision and ended up with the Makita.  I haven't used it enough to offer any truly valid comments other than it is astoundingly quiet, runs well and leaves a nice surface, and is consistently regarded as one of the best benchtops around.  I have run mostly white oak through it.  Look at Amazon for reviews and the below link might be of help.  Out of the box all I had to do was plug it in and I was making chips.  I am personally glad I spent the extra over other models.  I was a bit scared of the DeWalt due to many reports of blade and sproket problems.

   http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/furniture/1273331.html?page=1&c=y

6. 
   Cedarslayer | Feb 04, 2006 09:12am | #11

   I just got a Delta TP305, I am new to planers, I have used it now for about two hours, and I love it. It has in that two hours time done for me what would have taken me days to do. It turns cheap cedar picket into really nice boards in no time flat. I think I got a better model than advertised, because it has an entirely undocumented feature. It automatically makes tenons for me. I can turn this feature off by lifting the board a bit at the last moment, but I have not yet figured out how to adjust the depth or the thickness of the tenon. I also would prefer the tenon to have a square shoulder instead of being slightly rounded. If anyone knows how to properly use this feature, please let me know.
   ;)

1. 
   John_D | Feb 05, 2006 02:00am | #13

   Until I saw the wink emoticon, I was quite prepared to worry for you. :)My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.

1. 
   Cedarslayer | Feb 05, 2006 04:34am | #14

   Worry does no good anyway. "Expecting trouble" is a much more positive mindset.
   Still, I do like the delta TP305 "portable." I don't have room enough to set up a dedicated table for it, so being able to put it under the table is nice. It does a great job cleaning up a board. I have now used it for about 6 hours and in value added and time saved, it has more than paid for itself. If I had room, I might consider a heavy duty model that didn't require the extra care to avoid snipe. Since I don't have the room, I have to pay a bit more attention to what I am doing if I don't want snipe.
   -Bob

1. 
   John_D | Feb 05, 2006 09:17pm | #15

   I'm afraid worrying was as productive as I'd probably get. :)

   Yeah, getting proper stock support is a pain in the neck, and more difficult if you have to accommodate limited space.  Still, it's enjoying what you produce that's the point, eh?  Have safe fun!My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.

7. 
   sailalex | Feb 04, 2006 04:26pm | #12

   I have had the DW735 for almost since it came out , maybe 2 years, and haven't particularly noticed a problem with the blades. Of course the work I have done (boats) doesn't necesarily require a perfect finish that can't be cleaned up with a sander. I do notice a nick now and then but basically I have been very satisfied with the planer , having had a Delta previously. If I had it to do over again, I would buy the DW because the features are just tremendous. If one doesn't inspect the wood before letting it go through the planer, you can  pick up small stones or other hard objects that will definitely nick the blades; wood that has been sitting on the ground definitely can pick up the smallest stone and that will nick any blade. FWIW!