Replies

1. 
   JMartinsky | Nov 25, 2003 01:29am | #1

   Unfortunately, I bought the Makita 12" about two years ago. I say unfortunately because it performs so well that I can not (yet) rationalize the need for a stationary planer. It is relatively quiet, light weight and yet is reliable as sunrise. I burned up three Deltas before buying the Makita. I bought mine from amazon.com. Excellent all the way around. I use it commercially and it travels to job site and it is my shop planer. It sometimes sits for weeks at a time, then I'll run a couple of thousand feet of maple or some Ipe through it and it just does its thing. Simple blade changes. Very good tool.

   Good Luck!

   John

   PS. If you really want to spend the money, go to amazon and check out the new 15" Powermatic with SPIRAL cutter-head! I'm waiting for the 20"!!!! (Maybe)

1. 
   lussierjo | Nov 25, 2003 05:17pm | #3

   Thanks a lot JMartinsky and Sarge for all your concils. I appreciate a lot.

   John

1. 
   DJK | Nov 26, 2003 02:47am | #4

   Look for a used planer. Post a WTB ad.

   Dave Koury

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Nov 25, 2003 09:13am | #2

   lussierjo

      The DeWalt and Makita as JM mentioned are excellent for portables. That may be all you need. The General 15" is good if you want a stationary. Have several General products and they are good quality.

       The site JM menioned is probably the best place to compare as you get buyer feed-back on each of the items.

   Good luck...

   sarge..jt

   Proud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

3. 
   biosf1 | Nov 26, 2003 08:15pm | #5

   Question to ask your self, #1, how much will the wife let you spend and how much can ya aford.I don't have do deal with that, So next is how much room do you have and how long of lumber do you run through it. I found this out for myself,  I looked at some of the prices of Dewalt, Delta and some others.And the price they get along with the size capacity I went another route. I'm a professional furniture builder and a number of years ago I bought a woodmaster 18" / a sanding drum, by changing the shaft and pulley , it's only a 15 minute change over , but worth it. Purchased it in "87" for about $1,800-$2,500 and it's been worth every penny, and a time saver. I used a friends 12" Ryobi portable for some small maple thin slats and it will be next on my want list

4. 
   mike4244 | Nov 26, 2003 08:21pm | #6

   I would consider a planer with an induction motor. The benchtops do a fine job but have noisy universal motors that generally do not last long if given any more than moderate use. Many companies have 13" planers with induction motors, Jet , Grizzly to name a couple.I have the Jet myself, new ones run about $800.00

   mike

5. 
   fdampier5 | Nov 27, 2003 01:18am | #7

   check out Grizzley's offerings..  they tend to be butt simple reliable equipment that is less expensive than everyone else..

     Grizzley.com

6. 
   art | Nov 27, 2003 02:23am | #8

   Another vote for the Makita. I've had one for 12 years and it continues to be reiable, requiring only blade changes. I plane mostly hard maple, red oak, and cherry. Good luck.  Art