Replies

1. 
   bd | Jan 29, 2007 12:43am | #1

   The magazine reviewers seem to like the ones w/ the fixed head & movable table. One reason they give is that the knives are easier to change. That said, I bought the Delta because I thought it would be easier to set up infeed/outfeed tables with the fixed table & movable head.......but I've never used additional infeed or outfeed tables with it. Even when planing 16 ft 1 x material. Just one of those cheap roller stands on the outfeed side. The Delta is nice in that the self-contained infeed/outfeed tables are fairly long & fold down easily if you're short on space. If I had it to do over again, I think I'd probably by the Powermatic style planer simply because I think it would be handier to be able to have the top rollers for passing material back for replaning.

   I've only had one problem w/ the Delta. The cheap fan on the TEFC motor worked loose and reamed itself out. It'd be a $2 part if you could find one. Delta doesn't carry parts for the motor, and since Delta's motors are now Chinese, none of the repair shops had parts that would fit. While that happened on my Delta, I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't run into the same problem with just about all brands unless they have a Baldor or Leeson motor.

2. 
   jeff100 | Jan 29, 2007 09:02am | #2

   I bought a used Jet 16" planer last year. I've come to learn it's kind of an odd width, 15" seems to be some kind of standard width. I couldn't be happier. It's got a fixed table and the motor/knives move up and down. Cast iron/steel construction. Very heavy, I've got it setup on a mobile base. I've wired it to 220 volt, it's 3 HP and has a two speed gear box for feeding material. Separate, but attached rollers on front and back. Pain to align, but you only have to assemble it once, unless you whack them and knock them out of alignment. Anyway, I read folks here talk about leaving couple inches extra material because sniping is inevitable when thickness planing. I don't have any trouble with sniping, my boards come out smooth and parallel end to end. Nearly full width cuts no problem, plenty of power. Really makes an amazing amount of chips. I've read some people have had trouble with belts on this machine. I spoke to my machine dealer about that and he agreed that there've been problems but only because the pulleys were out of alignment. Set it up with the pulleys properly aligned, no problems. I've not had any problems and I would recommend this machine.

   Jeff

3. 
   groucho | Jan 29, 2007 04:29pm | #3

   Please look at thread 33809.7 ,  DJK has a nice used 15" Makita for sale ($800 picked up). I was interested; but I guess he doesn't want to ship to Ma.

   I've found out through two very experienced professional woodworkers; that this machine is sweet; and a very reliable performer. Maybe you should check it out!

   If I were closer to Mi. I'd sure consider the trip.