I am looking at two planers, both 15″ with spiral cutterheads. One is a Grizzley GO453Z and the other is a Powermatic 1791213. The spects are very similar but the cost of the Powermatic is about $700 more. If anyone uses one of the machines could you give me the pros and cons please?
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They are both made in Taiwan or China
You would do better to find a used 16" Powermatic planer, the green were American made, the Gold in Taiwan, but the same design and superior to the new ones . A grinder and jointing attachment is a great way to go, especially for a small shop. Best designed planer of all time....IMHO
Go for the Green
I'm with rob on this one. The current crop of planers in that range is pretty unimpressive to me. Depending on your space and power requirements, older model planers is a definite option. Green Powermatic planers are fairly easy to find, generally in good shape, and usually reasonably priced. Given their construction, you'd almost have to hit them with a tank to cause any serious damage.
Grizzly planer
The Red Rocks CC wood shop has 2 of the Grizzly 15" spiral cutter planers, two 8" spiral jointers as well, and they appear to hold up well through some very hard use. I have an older 15" Grizz straight blade planer and the spiral cutters take a way nicer cut. These machines are in a shop that typically has 100 students each semester, many newbies, and, as I said seem to hold well to some very hard use.
Can't speak to the Powermatic.
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