Which 15″ Planer to buy for $1,600??
I need to buy a heavy duty planer before year-end for a cooperative wood shop with 50 members with varying abilities, including the ability to take proper care of our tools. I need to select a reliable, durable, long-lasting planer that can be moved away from the wall for use. We have a budget between $1,500 to… possibly $1,800 including taxes, etc.
There are, I believe, only 5 choices: Jet’s JWP-15B ($1660) and Grizzly’s G0815 ($1,450), G0890 ($1,480), G0453 ($1,600) and G1021Z ($1,635). I am leaning toward either Grizzly’s little G0815, with the Jet in close second, primarily because the G0815 is $200 cheaper but am lured by Jet’s 5 year warranty vs Griz’s 1 year. Any advice??
I have searched for used planers near NYC without luck and members are wary of buying used equipment. We considered a jointer/planer (we have no jointer) but decided that their complexity and learning curve would lead to headaches.
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Considering you do not have a planer my advise would be wait, save up, and get the jointer planer combo. I am in NYC, and my shop is small. I replaced my 6" grizz jointer and lunchbox Delta planer with a 12" helical J/P and could not be happier. I bought a sawstop hydraulic mobile base and had it cut and welded to fit the J/P.
Besides the ability to fully dress stock, the helical is KISS for knife swaps. 4-sided carbide cutters that cannot go out of alignment and one dopey knick wont require blade surgery.
Happy to show it to you if it will help.
Decisions, decisions. I have worked in two shops, others than my own, and both had jointer/planer combos. The disclaimer here is that both shops had Felder machines. The change from one tool to the other was so simple I wish I hadn't opted for two separate tools (and two separate footprints in my shop). That said, I would opt for the Jet combo. Most Jet tools are Powermatics minus a few bells and whistles and are very reliable. I sold my 30 year old 6" jet jointer to a friend and it ran the same as the day I bought it. I also have a 30 year old Jet drill press that runs the same as the day I bought it. I guess you see a trend here. I like Jet and they make good tools at a reasonable price. I'd continue to ask around and try to visit some other shops, most woodworkers will gladly open their doors to you and share their experience and knowledge. Whatever machine you you decide on, by all means, get one with the helical head. It will make the world of difference
I have owned the Jet planner you mention for 12 years. It has performed extremely well. It is very easy to maintain and has needed very little adjustment in all of those years. Due to the price it has a 3 knife cutter head which has performed well for me with all kinds of wood. The knives are easy to replace as it comes with a setting gauge. I would get an extra set of knives to use while one set is sent out for sharpening. It is important to keep the knives sharp to avoid a lot of tear out. When setting up the jet it is important to get the outfeed rollers set high enough so the cutter does not leave snipe on the end of the board. It take a little time but can be done. I have really liked this planner a lot and it has not given me any trouble. As far as a cutter head goes I have done well with the three knife set up as you are going to plane and or sand before finishing anyway.
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