All, I’ve been looking at the 13” thickness planer market. Seems Ridged has a good offering and gets good reviews in most comparisons I can find. Dewalt now has a awesome offering as well as Delta’s 2 speed model. Any general advice regarding what I should consider when evaluating these machines will be most appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Db
Replies
Dino -
Be aware that the belt driven planers tend to last longer than the direct drive kind. (if your not already)
There are several advantages to each kind, so you should determine accordingly.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
PlaneWood
Planewood,
So far as I know all of the benchtop planers use a belt drive to spin the cutter head and a direct drive into the gearbox for the feed rollers, but maybe I misunderstand what you mean by a belt drive.
John W.
Hmmm, I thought the bench top units were direct drive?? What rpm do the motors on bench top units generally spin at?
Let me restate the previous note. There are differences between benchtop planers and floor model planers! In my view, the floor models are generally capable of hogging larger amounts through, while the bench top planers won't generally take as large a depth of cut.
The obvious advantages of bench top units are portability and a smaller footprint and probably smaller cost.
Maybe I'm wrong!
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood
I can see where planers open themselves up to confusion about belt drive/direct drive. Mike, in my mind (such as it is) you're right, the benchtop planers are "direct drive" in that they have an integral motor, rather than a separate motor like, say, a cabinet saw does. Yes, a chain or belt rotates the cutter head, but the motor is still universal as opposed to induction, right?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Planewood,
After I posted my note I realized that you were probably referring to large, cast iron, belt driven machines with separate motors, and yes large machines do have their advantages. But in a small shop and for under $500 you can get a lot of work out of the smaller machines.
I have both types of machines in my shop and to be honest the benchtop is my first choice 90% of the time, mostly because the quality of the cut is consistently excellent, and the lower cost and convenience of blade changes makes using it more economical. I save the cast iron Powermatic for very wide or very heavy stock.
As to your question about motor speed, the benchtops all use small universal motors, so they're probably running at around 10,000 RPM or better. The cutter head is driven by a cogged belt drive off the outboard end of the motor's shaft and the gearbox is driven directly off the other end of the motor shaft.
The new DeWalt planers have a different set up, the motor still drives the cutter head with a belt, but the drive for the feed mechanism is taken off the opposite end of the cutter shaft, a design that is used in a lot of big planers.
John W.
John -
Whenever I acquire native hardwood, I usually get 4/4 rough and in 100 bf quantities, or more. First thing I do is back my truck up to the shop and plane it down to about 7/8". Then I take it out to my shed and stack and sticker it. When doing this initial planing I want to only do two passes per board. The stuff I acquire comes from sawmills having the large circular blades and as you know, can be rough as a cob and usually 1.125"+ thick.
For that job, my old old old Parks cast iron beastie does a reasonable job. I don't think that given that type of usage that I would want a benchtop.
I guess that if I were rich I would have both!
All I'm saying is that what you need depends on what kind of work you expect it to do.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood
Dino
Don't know about the new Dewalt, but all three you mentioned will get the job done. The new Dewalt will probably get the nod here if you like the latest bells and whistles and don't mind spending the extra it takes to get them.
But, I would venture to say that there has been millions of board feet run through all three models you mentioned without too many failures and gripes from owners. So my opinion is: Shop the Price delivered to your door and "go for it".
Luck...
sarge..jt
Proud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I'm pretty charged up about the new DeWalt planer, even though I don't need one (have a young Delta) and couldn't afford it even if I did. But the 3-knife cutter head and automatic head-lock are major pluses in my book, add to that 2 speeds and a seriously heavy frame made by a company that's already proven itself in the planer market, and that new one would be right at the tippy-top of my list. [Unless, of course, Santa brought me a stationary planer, LOL]
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
FG
I know you're going to get the new DW. I can feel it, smell it and hear it in your post. :>)
When you dump that older Delta, I will pay the freight to my shop. I can cover it with a tarp till this Delta 2 speed I got goes south years down the road. With your old Delta for back-up, I should be set for life.
My tomstone will probably read, "He wanted the new DW, but those old Deltas refused to die before he did". ha..ha..
I'll pick up a new tarp at HD tomorrow. Do you need my physical address for shipping? he......
As always, regards from:
sarge..jtProud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Sarge, c'mon now, you're giving me a hard time! I think you'll be using that tarp on your ark. I'm building one too, BTW. There several tools ahead of a new planer, and I haven't had a "lumber fix" in several months! [oops, just realized I lied -- I picked up some small pieces of hardwood at Edensaw 2 weeks ago out of their donation pile -- that's lumber you pay for by donating to a charity. Under 10 BF, so doesn't count as a "fix" right?]forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
FG
Under 10 bd. ft. is adequate to keep you busy with small items. A fix is a fix, big or small. I think what is more important is concentrating with design, jointery , technique and finish. The fact that someone runs thousands of bd. ft. of lumber daily, weekly or monthly does not signify that the end result is acceptable. Without the proper application of the above mentioned it is just quantity, not quality.
There are a group of lovely people on this planet that have surmised over the course of history ( I once dated Cleopatra )that "size doesn't matter, it's how you use it". Now, take that thought forward and go build something small. If you want something "big" just increase your design scale ten-fold and buy 100 bd. ft. when the stars and moon align over the cash register in your card shop. ha..ha..
Have a lovely day and quit blushing, you're a "big girl" now.
:>) he....
sarge..jtProud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Or, as Maria Muldauer chortled: "It ain't the meat, it's the motion" eh?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
FG
Yes indeedy. The sooner you learn, the sooner you are eligible for the "craftsman guild". ha..ha..
Regards...
sarge..jt
Proud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Edited 11/19/2003 2:23:38 PM ET by SARGE
Sarge,
"There are a group of lovely people on this planet that have surmised over the course of history ( I once dated Cleopatra )"
I don't remember you at all. What were you wearing?
"that size doesn't matter"
They're the same ones who tell you the check is in the mail or that they'll respect you in the morning. They're not to be believed.
"it's how you use it"
Well, there is THAT.
VL
Ven
"I don't remember you, what were you wearing"?
Even though I don't for one minute believe that you are not as mysterious, intelligent, appealing and have the international looks of Cleopatra; I believe you are teasing in an attempt to get a little chuckle.
The reasoning behind that is if you were her, "there is absolutely no doubt you would remember me".
As to what I was wearing, well in public "whatever I chose to wear" and afterwards what my dates insist I wear; "nothing at all".
Have a great day "Cle", does that jog your memory?
ha..ha.. :>)
sarge..jt
Proud member of the : "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Edited 11/19/2003 2:24:55 PM ET by SARGE
Just found this forum...and noticed you've been here a WHILE forestgirl. I've just been asking advice about whether to buy a bandsaw or planer at the other (WWA) forum and the RIGID 13" reviews far outshine any others Ive seen. Plus...I can get one at HD for $329 w/stand & dust port included. Gonna get it tomorrow.
Glad I found this forum!
Don
Hi Don, glad you found us. WWA is a great group, I check in a few times a week, and even had lunch with the Northwest aux. at last year's woodworking show. A fine bunch.
Yep, the Rigid is a good planer, and would have been my choice last year except for the price tag -- needed routers, a jointer and a few other miscellaneous things, so couldn't spring for the Rigid. My little Delta's doing a good job. This new DeWalt though, yummmmmmmy.
See you 'round!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I got the Ryobi AP1300 at Home Depot for $269 a month ago. I could not be more satisified with this machine. It has performed flawlessly.
It's a two knife model with the Rapidset system. The knives have two edges and are self aligning. I changed a set in 5 minutes and the next board through was exactly the same thickness as the previous.
The mechanism for setting the head parellel to the feed table is positive and simplicity in itself. One capscrew at the top of the machine, accessable through a snap-off cover, a set screw from underneath, that's it. You never touch the chain drive. I was able to set the thickness of the cut from one side to the other to zero difference.
There's a positive stop "replane" feature allowing returning to five different preset thickness.
I get the barest hint of snipe on softwood, none on hardwood. I've been putting nothing but maple through this little machine for 2 weeks. It just runs and runs.
VL
Recently I had to turn in a Delta I had had for about 11 months and was offered an opportunity to upgrade to the new DW (about $75 more) and I did. I liked the "beefiness" of the DW as well as a lower profile. It doesn't have a lock like the Delta which I like in that it always required 2 operations to lower the head as you planed. The DW has a neat automatic set for 1", 3/4" 1/2" but you have to use the gauge on the side for alternative dimensions. The gauge on the side is much more legible than the Delta.
All in all, I like the DW better but others may find the varying features on the Delta better. The DW makes an extremely smooth cut. Overall, I am glad I paid a little extra and have the DW.
Sailalex: An important distinction! The DeWalt does have a head lock, but it's automatic -- that's the part you like. <g>forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Dear Dino,
I've had the 12" Makita now about two or three years now with NO problems whatsoever. Prior to that I had killed three Deltas and returned a Rigid. I order all of my tools from amazon.com, toolcrib.com, Woodworkers Warehouse, or Coastal Tool Supply in Hartford, CT. I have had nothing but problems with tools bought from HD. Buy what you want, but get it from a reputable tool dealer. The Makita is my field AND shop planer. I do this for a living and can tell you that it is bulletproof. at 65lbs it is considerably lighter than the two-speed offerings out there. I plane IPE, Brazilian Cherry, Maple, Oak and other tough stuff with very nice results. It is money well invested.
Good Luck!
John
I own a delta 12 1/2" planer...the knives are easy to set up...no set up required to place new knives in them...I love it...
My two cents for the day...
Beck2512
A few years back I rebuilt a 180,000 sq.ft. office building with oak doors and trim. I purchased delta and jet tools to leave on-site. We used a delta 22-540 planer with a feed rate of 26 ft/mim, much to fast in my opinion. I changed the sprocket on the shaft for the feed rollers to obtain a 17 ft/mim feed rate. Made a world of difference in the finish qualty. Cost me about $12.
Dave Koury
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