Stationary 12--12 1/2"Planers--your vote?

[norske]

Nothing came up in the achives under "planer" or "tools". Would like info/recomendations on makes please.It's the lunchbox planers I am talking about---mounted to a table.

[This message has been edited by norske (edited 07-08-2001).]

[norske]

Nothing came up in the achives under "planer" or "tools". Would like info/recomendations on makes please.It's the lunchbox planers I am talking about---mounted to a table.

[This message has been edited by norske (edited 07-08-2001).]

[norske]

Nothing came up in the achives under "planer" or "tools". Would like info/recomendations on makes please.It's the lunchbox planers I am talking about---mounted to a table.

[This message has been edited by norske (edited 07-08-2001).]

[Art Read]

Are you talking about the so called "Lunchbox" planers? My little Delta from the "orange store" has more than paid for itself in my humble opinion. I'm sure there are others that are made to higher standards that would justisfy the extra cost, (Grizzly is a name I've heard good things about here...) but I've been happy so far. Never really had any experience with any of the others and so, am probably blissfully unaware of all it's shortcomings. For my purposes though, it has answered my needs without the major initial investment that a higher end planer would have required. But I'm not planning of making a life's career out of this. A good (enough?) planer is one of best tool investmests you can make. Unless you're building a boat entirely out of plywood, it will really make your life easier when it comes to selecting and buying stock. You won't be likely to find much wood at lumberyard that won't need re-milling before going into the boat! (A nice handheld, power plane will get lots of use on the curves too...)

[This message has been edited by Art Read (edited 07-08-2001).]

[Art Read]

Are you talking about the so called "Lunchbox" planers? My little Delta from the "orange store" has more than paid for itself in my humble opinion. I'm sure there are others that are made to higher standards that would justisfy the extra cost, (Grizzly is a name I've heard good things about here...) but I've been happy so far. Never really had any experience with any of the others and so, am probably blissfully unaware of all it's shortcomings. For my purposes though, it has answered my needs without the major initial investment that a higher end planer would have required. But I'm not planning of making a life's career out of this. A good (enough?) planer is one of best tool investmests you can make. Unless you're building a boat entirely out of plywood, it will really make your life easier when it comes to selecting and buying stock. You won't be likely to find much wood at lumberyard that won't need re-milling before going into the boat! (A nice handheld, power plane will get lots of use on the curves too...)

[This message has been edited by Art Read (edited 07-08-2001).]

[Art Read]

Are you talking about the so called "Lunchbox" planers? My little Delta from the "orange store" has more than paid for itself in my humble opinion. I'm sure there are others that are made to higher standards that would justisfy the extra cost, (Grizzly is a name I've heard good things about here...) but I've been happy so far. Never really had any experience with any of the others and so, am probably blissfully unaware of all it's shortcomings. For my purposes though, it has answered my needs without the major initial investment that a higher end planer would have required. But I'm not planning of making a life's career out of this. A good (enough?) planer is one of best tool investmests you can make. Unless you're building a boat entirely out of plywood, it will really make your life easier when it comes to selecting and buying stock. You won't be likely to find much wood at lumberyard that won't need re-milling before going into the boat! (A nice handheld, power plane will get lots of use on the curves too...)

[This message has been edited by Art Read (edited 07-08-2001).]

[RGM]

Your post stated "stationary" planers, so if I were you I would try to hunt down some old iron that's in good to excellent shape (Powermatic, Delta, Parks etc.). Or I would bite the bullet and take a serious look at new equipment made by General. Good luck.

[RGM]

Your post stated "stationary" planers, so if I were you I would try to hunt down some old iron that's in good to excellent shape (Powermatic, Delta, Parks etc.). Or I would bite the bullet and take a serious look at new equipment made by General. Good luck.

[RGM]

Your post stated "stationary" planers, so if I were you I would try to hunt down some old iron that's in good to excellent shape (Powermatic, Delta, Parks etc.). Or I would bite the bullet and take a serious look at new equipment made by General. Good luck.

[Rich VanValkenburg]

One thing I've learned with my old AP-10 is that you need an extra set of knives or two. While one set is out being sharpened, you can still plane away with the other.
I don't remember WB doing a tool comparison on planers, but these guys did-- http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodmall/charts/port_planers/
They didn't publish their comments online, I'll see if I can find the issue.


[This message has been edited by Rich VanValkenburg (edited 07-08-2001).]

[Rich VanValkenburg]

One thing I've learned with my old AP-10 is that you need an extra set of knives or two. While one set is out being sharpened, you can still plane away with the other.
I don't remember WB doing a tool comparison on planers, but these guys did-- http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodmall/charts/port_planers/
They didn't publish their comments online, I'll see if I can find the issue.


[This message has been edited by Rich VanValkenburg (edited 07-08-2001).]

[Rich VanValkenburg]

One thing I've learned with my old AP-10 is that you need an extra set of knives or two. While one set is out being sharpened, you can still plane away with the other.
I don't remember WB doing a tool comparison on planers, but these guys did-- http://www.woodmagazine.com/woodmall/charts/port_planers/
They didn't publish their comments online, I'll see if I can find the issue.


[This message has been edited by Rich VanValkenburg (edited 07-08-2001).]

[Paul Frederiksen]

I love my Delta 12.5 it is simple and easy to use, does a decent enough job for boatbuilding and the blades set themselves so it is way easy to dial in.

[Paul Frederiksen]

I love my Delta 12.5 it is simple and easy to use, does a decent enough job for boatbuilding and the blades set themselves so it is way easy to dial in.

[Paul Frederiksen]

I love my Delta 12.5 it is simple and easy to use, does a decent enough job for boatbuilding and the blades set themselves so it is way easy to dial in.

[ken mcclure]

I have a Makita - the table moves up and down instead of the cutter head assembly. It's very accurate and works well for me, but I haven't used it enough to give you any meaningful longevity statistics. I can tell you that snipe is not a huge problem on this one, but you do have to be careful feeding stock to avoid it.

[ken mcclure]

I have a Makita - the table moves up and down instead of the cutter head assembly. It's very accurate and works well for me, but I haven't used it enough to give you any meaningful longevity statistics. I can tell you that snipe is not a huge problem on this one, but you do have to be careful feeding stock to avoid it.

[ken mcclure]

I have a Makita - the table moves up and down instead of the cutter head assembly. It's very accurate and works well for me, but I haven't used it enough to give you any meaningful longevity statistics. I can tell you that snipe is not a huge problem on this one, but you do have to be careful feeding stock to avoid it.

[Art Read]

Just a thought. While still trying to decide just where to eventually bolt my planer down permanently, I discovered I was continuously shifting it around the shop to accomodate the various sized stock or the ever evolving layout of my work space. Wound up never bolting it down at all. (Probably a BIG "no-no"... See the Power tool thread in Misc.!) Still it seems heavy enough to use as is for all but the beefier stuff. If I was ever going to mount it, I'd make sure to do it on a purpose built base with lockable castors or some other means of shifting it about.

[Art Read]

Just a thought. While still trying to decide just where to eventually bolt my planer down permanently, I discovered I was continuously shifting it around the shop to accomodate the various sized stock or the ever evolving layout of my work space. Wound up never bolting it down at all. (Probably a BIG "no-no"... See the Power tool thread in Misc.!) Still it seems heavy enough to use as is for all but the beefier stuff. If I was ever going to mount it, I'd make sure to do it on a purpose built base with lockable castors or some other means of shifting it about.

[Art Read]

Just a thought. While still trying to decide just where to eventually bolt my planer down permanently, I discovered I was continuously shifting it around the shop to accomodate the various sized stock or the ever evolving layout of my work space. Wound up never bolting it down at all. (Probably a BIG "no-no"... See the Power tool thread in Misc.!) Still it seems heavy enough to use as is for all but the beefier stuff. If I was ever going to mount it, I'd make sure to do it on a purpose built base with lockable castors or some other means of shifting it about.

[NormMessinger]

While yeall are talkin' up the highfolutten stuff I guess I'll put my experience with the 10" Ryobi planer. I've put some miles of western redcedar and rods of hardwood of various sorts through it. It'll take 1/16" off a 6" wide piece of oak with little complaint. I have two sets of knives but a set lasts for months. While Ryobi is a low end line I have no wish for a "better" tool, in this case.

For whut its werth.

--Norm

[NormMessinger]

While yeall are talkin' up the highfolutten stuff I guess I'll put my experience with the 10" Ryobi planer. I've put some miles of western redcedar and rods of hardwood of various sorts through it. It'll take 1/16" off a 6" wide piece of oak with little complaint. I have two sets of knives but a set lasts for months. While Ryobi is a low end line I have no wish for a "better" tool, in this case.

For whut its werth.

--Norm

[NormMessinger]

While yeall are talkin' up the highfolutten stuff I guess I'll put my experience with the 10" Ryobi planer. I've put some miles of western redcedar and rods of hardwood of various sorts through it. It'll take 1/16" off a 6" wide piece of oak with little complaint. I have two sets of knives but a set lasts for months. While Ryobi is a low end line I have no wish for a "better" tool, in this case.

For whut its werth.

--Norm

[dasboat]

Bought a DeWalt 12 1/2 about 5 yrs ago.Bought it partially because it had larger in/out feed tables.I put about 1000 lin.ft. of wood through it each year and so far I have not had one complaint.
Only drawback,the knives are perforated so the holding screws go through the knife as a safety feature.This design seems to prevent the mfg.of carbide knives for the DeWalt.
Dasboat

[dasboat]

Bought a DeWalt 12 1/2 about 5 yrs ago.Bought it partially because it had larger in/out feed tables.I put about 1000 lin.ft. of wood through it each year and so far I have not had one complaint.
Only drawback,the knives are perforated so the holding screws go through the knife as a safety feature.This design seems to prevent the mfg.of carbide knives for the DeWalt.
Dasboat

[dasboat]

Bought a DeWalt 12 1/2 about 5 yrs ago.Bought it partially because it had larger in/out feed tables.I put about 1000 lin.ft. of wood through it each year and so far I have not had one complaint.
Only drawback,the knives are perforated so the holding screws go through the knife as a safety feature.This design seems to prevent the mfg.of carbide knives for the DeWalt.
Dasboat

[Ken Liden]

I like the 12" Delta. It's main advantage is that the cutter head adjusts instead of the bed. With the adjustable bed models you must constantly adjust the height of your outfeed and infeed table or rollers. With the adjustable head you rollers alway remain in line with the planer bed.

[Ken Liden]

I like the 12" Delta. It's main advantage is that the cutter head adjusts instead of the bed. With the adjustable bed models you must constantly adjust the height of your outfeed and infeed table or rollers. With the adjustable head you rollers alway remain in line with the planer bed.

[Ken Liden]

I like the 12" Delta. It's main advantage is that the cutter head adjusts instead of the bed. With the adjustable bed models you must constantly adjust the height of your outfeed and infeed table or rollers. With the adjustable head you rollers alway remain in line with the planer bed.

[landlocked sailor]

I ran a Grizzly 12" for about 10 years and MANY bf of stock. I used up one set of bearings and several belts. I recently upgraded to a Dewalt 12.5. The grizzley was long in the tooth but does still work. I like the Dewalt better because the blades are easier to change & the anti-snipe mechanism does work well. Rick

[landlocked sailor]

I ran a Grizzly 12" for about 10 years and MANY bf of stock. I used up one set of bearings and several belts. I recently upgraded to a Dewalt 12.5. The grizzley was long in the tooth but does still work. I like the Dewalt better because the blades are easier to change & the anti-snipe mechanism does work well. Rick

[landlocked sailor]

I ran a Grizzly 12" for about 10 years and MANY bf of stock. I used up one set of bearings and several belts. I recently upgraded to a Dewalt 12.5. The grizzley was long in the tooth but does still work. I like the Dewalt better because the blades are easier to change & the anti-snipe mechanism does work well. Rick

[reddog]

My vote goes to the Dewalt 12.5 because that's what I have and it works well,has blades that can be resharpened and is fairly stable.My one complaint so far is that the urethane feed rollers will get gummed up when surfacing resinous woods like pine.This is most noticable with wider stock and means shutting down the machine every so often to clean off the rollers.A minor annoyance.
A fellow I used to work with had an older 12" Makita which he used to mill a houseload of trim,flooring,etc.He seemed to like it.

[reddog]

My vote goes to the Dewalt 12.5 because that's what I have and it works well,has blades that can be resharpened and is fairly stable.My one complaint so far is that the urethane feed rollers will get gummed up when surfacing resinous woods like pine.This is most noticable with wider stock and means shutting down the machine every so often to clean off the rollers.A minor annoyance.
A fellow I used to work with had an older 12" Makita which he used to mill a houseload of trim,flooring,etc.He seemed to like it.

[reddog]

My vote goes to the Dewalt 12.5 because that's what I have and it works well,has blades that can be resharpened and is fairly stable.My one complaint so far is that the urethane feed rollers will get gummed up when surfacing resinous woods like pine.This is most noticable with wider stock and means shutting down the machine every so often to clean off the rollers.A minor annoyance.
A fellow I used to work with had an older 12" Makita which he used to mill a houseload of trim,flooring,etc.He seemed to like it.

[nedL]

I picked up a nice clean used Ryobi 10" about 5 yrs ago for $100 and have been very pleased with it. It would certainly not due for high end cabinetry, but I figures it will do just fine for 95% of what I need. For the other 5% I have connections with guys in the area that could handle anything I need.
Some obvious issues with the Ryobi are: a noticable snipe (feed a scrap in before & after to solve), and if the knives are not perfectly sharp the thickness will vary slightly between the sides & the middle of the plank on a wide piece of hardwood.

[nedL]

I picked up a nice clean used Ryobi 10" about 5 yrs ago for $100 and have been very pleased with it. It would certainly not due for high end cabinetry, but I figures it will do just fine for 95% of what I need. For the other 5% I have connections with guys in the area that could handle anything I need.
Some obvious issues with the Ryobi are: a noticable snipe (feed a scrap in before & after to solve), and if the knives are not perfectly sharp the thickness will vary slightly between the sides & the middle of the plank on a wide piece of hardwood.

[nedL]

I picked up a nice clean used Ryobi 10" about 5 yrs ago for $100 and have been very pleased with it. It would certainly not due for high end cabinetry, but I figures it will do just fine for 95% of what I need. For the other 5% I have connections with guys in the area that could handle anything I need.
Some obvious issues with the Ryobi are: a noticable snipe (feed a scrap in before & after to solve), and if the knives are not perfectly sharp the thickness will vary slightly between the sides & the middle of the plank on a wide piece of hardwood.

[Bob Cleek]

Old iron wins out again... the lunchbox planers are really hobby tools, although remarkable for what they are. But, where cost is a consideration, consider this. I bought a used, but nearly pristine, Rockwell Delta 15" (as I recall) stationary planer for six hundred bucks a couple of years ago. Weighs about 500 pounds. I don't have to worry about fastening it to the workbench. (I put industrial casters on it.) Will not lug when you run a 12" slab of white oak through it. Does not snipe at all. The machined cast iron bed is perfectly flat and adjusts micrometer-fine. My kids will probably get more than I paid for it when I croak and they sell off my stuff. LOL If you can find an old Delta, Rockwell, or a Parks (sweet!), by all means go for it. Certainly a lot more bang for your buck than the little lunchboxes, even if they don't come in any pretty colors other than grey.

[Bob Cleek]

Old iron wins out again... the lunchbox planers are really hobby tools, although remarkable for what they are. But, where cost is a consideration, consider this. I bought a used, but nearly pristine, Rockwell Delta 15" (as I recall) stationary planer for six hundred bucks a couple of years ago. Weighs about 500 pounds. I don't have to worry about fastening it to the workbench. (I put industrial casters on it.) Will not lug when you run a 12" slab of white oak through it. Does not snipe at all. The machined cast iron bed is perfectly flat and adjusts micrometer-fine. My kids will probably get more than I paid for it when I croak and they sell off my stuff. LOL If you can find an old Delta, Rockwell, or a Parks (sweet!), by all means go for it. Certainly a lot more bang for your buck than the little lunchboxes, even if they don't come in any pretty colors other than grey.

[Bob Cleek]

Old iron wins out again... the lunchbox planers are really hobby tools, although remarkable for what they are. But, where cost is a consideration, consider this. I bought a used, but nearly pristine, Rockwell Delta 15" (as I recall) stationary planer for six hundred bucks a couple of years ago. Weighs about 500 pounds. I don't have to worry about fastening it to the workbench. (I put industrial casters on it.) Will not lug when you run a 12" slab of white oak through it. Does not snipe at all. The machined cast iron bed is perfectly flat and adjusts micrometer-fine. My kids will probably get more than I paid for it when I croak and they sell off my stuff. LOL If you can find an old Delta, Rockwell, or a Parks (sweet!), by all means go for it. Certainly a lot more bang for your buck than the little lunchboxes, even if they don't come in any pretty colors other than grey.

[Doug-a-lug]

FWIW:

I have an Hitachi 12" planer/joiner combo unit. The planer does a beautiful job on everything I send into it, and the same motor also runs a 6" joiner that is mounted off to the side. The whole thing takes up almost the same amount of bench space as the "lunch-box" planers previously mentioned. Granted, the investment is more (about $900), but in total far less than buying two seperate machines.

[Doug-a-lug]

FWIW:

I have an Hitachi 12" planer/joiner combo unit. The planer does a beautiful job on everything I send into it, and the same motor also runs a 6" joiner that is mounted off to the side. The whole thing takes up almost the same amount of bench space as the "lunch-box" planers previously mentioned. Granted, the investment is more (about $900), but in total far less than buying two seperate machines.

[Doug-a-lug]

FWIW:

I have an Hitachi 12" planer/joiner combo unit. The planer does a beautiful job on everything I send into it, and the same motor also runs a 6" joiner that is mounted off to the side. The whole thing takes up almost the same amount of bench space as the "lunch-box" planers previously mentioned. Granted, the investment is more (about $900), but in total far less than buying two seperate machines.

[Ross Faneuf]

I have a Ryobi, which is OK, but is also amazingly loud - the loudest tool I own, not excepting the chain saw.

However, ever since I bought a Performax thicknessing sander, I hardly ever use it - in fact, I haven't used it since. The Performax does work the planer can't possibly do (like operate on very thin stock), and produces superior results.

I don't do large amounts of stock, though. Whenever I have a larger job, I have a local shop do it for me on a REAL planer (a 1 meter Italian job - don't know the manufacturer). The costs are way below what I would have to spend on a good quality machine.

[Ross Faneuf]

I have a Ryobi, which is OK, but is also amazingly loud - the loudest tool I own, not excepting the chain saw.

However, ever since I bought a Performax thicknessing sander, I hardly ever use it - in fact, I haven't used it since. The Performax does work the planer can't possibly do (like operate on very thin stock), and produces superior results.

I don't do large amounts of stock, though. Whenever I have a larger job, I have a local shop do it for me on a REAL planer (a 1 meter Italian job - don't know the manufacturer). The costs are way below what I would have to spend on a good quality machine.

[Ross Faneuf]

I have a Ryobi, which is OK, but is also amazingly loud - the loudest tool I own, not excepting the chain saw.

However, ever since I bought a Performax thicknessing sander, I hardly ever use it - in fact, I haven't used it since. The Performax does work the planer can't possibly do (like operate on very thin stock), and produces superior results.

I don't do large amounts of stock, though. Whenever I have a larger job, I have a local shop do it for me on a REAL planer (a 1 meter Italian job - don't know the manufacturer). The costs are way below what I would have to spend on a good quality machine.

[norske]

Ross What model/price?

[norske]

Ross What model/price?

[norske]

Ross What model/price?

[gert]

I bought a delta 8 years ago because it was a four poster (more stable?)It has helped build a house, a boat and lots of furniature. I keep it on a 30" high wheeled platform that can be moved out of the way. It has more than paid for itself; I think it still sells for about what I paid for it. I believe Fine Woodworking did a comparison on all these units recently. Carbide knives are available for them but their kinda pricy.

[gert]

I bought a delta 8 years ago because it was a four poster (more stable?)It has helped build a house, a boat and lots of furniature. I keep it on a 30" high wheeled platform that can be moved out of the way. It has more than paid for itself; I think it still sells for about what I paid for it. I believe Fine Woodworking did a comparison on all these units recently. Carbide knives are available for them but their kinda pricy.

[gert]

I bought a delta 8 years ago because it was a four poster (more stable?)It has helped build a house, a boat and lots of furniature. I keep it on a 30" high wheeled platform that can be moved out of the way. It has more than paid for itself; I think it still sells for about what I paid for it. I believe Fine Woodworking did a comparison on all these units recently. Carbide knives are available for them but their kinda pricy.

[Ross Faneuf]

Norske -

I have their low-end model - the 16-32 open-sided one. I paid around $700 for it 2-3 years ago. It's paid for itself several times over.

[Ross Faneuf]

Norske -

I have their low-end model - the 16-32 open-sided one. I paid around $700 for it 2-3 years ago. It's paid for itself several times over.

[Ross Faneuf]

Norske -

I have their low-end model - the 16-32 open-sided one. I paid around $700 for it 2-3 years ago. It's paid for itself several times over.

[ishmael]

I think the 'lunch boxes' are amazing tools. Depending on what you are doing and where, any of them are quite usable, though I don't have any recent experience.

For heavy stationary I'd vote for Parks. Ya know it really depends. I built a whole bunch of stuff when I worked for a guy who had a combi planer jointer by Makita. It never burped. I also worked in a shop with a fifteen inch stationary tool that seemed always less than satisfactory for this or that reason.

[ishmael]

I think the 'lunch boxes' are amazing tools. Depending on what you are doing and where, any of them are quite usable, though I don't have any recent experience.

For heavy stationary I'd vote for Parks. Ya know it really depends. I built a whole bunch of stuff when I worked for a guy who had a combi planer jointer by Makita. It never burped. I also worked in a shop with a fifteen inch stationary tool that seemed always less than satisfactory for this or that reason.

[ishmael]

I think the 'lunch boxes' are amazing tools. Depending on what you are doing and where, any of them are quite usable, though I don't have any recent experience.

For heavy stationary I'd vote for Parks. Ya know it really depends. I built a whole bunch of stuff when I worked for a guy who had a combi planer jointer by Makita. It never burped. I also worked in a shop with a fifteen inch stationary tool that seemed always less than satisfactory for this or that reason.