I'm thinking I might ask Santa for a benchtop planer, as I'm finding 4s4 lumber to still not be "ready to use" as it is advertised. I want something with good chip collection and decent capacity, but I don't want the Dewalt, as it is a little too pricy for something I think I wont use that much. Having said that, I'm also beyond doing the cheap tool thing, then spending more later on a good one. I was thinking of a Delta or Craftsman Pro, but I thought I'd ask the experts. Thanks.
Benchtop planer advice
- Thread starter gkeas
- Start date
Hi Gary,
I am using the Ridgid planer and I am very satisifed with it.
The dust collection is good when hooked up to a shop vac and excellent when hooked up to my dust collector.
After tuning the infeed and outfeed table and using outfeed/infeed rollers for long boards I get almost no snipes.
If I am not mistaking they just came up with a new version not sure how it compares.
Emmanuel
I am using the Ridgid planer and I am very satisifed with it.
The dust collection is good when hooked up to a shop vac and excellent when hooked up to my dust collector.
After tuning the infeed and outfeed table and using outfeed/infeed rollers for long boards I get almost no snipes.
If I am not mistaking they just came up with a new version not sure how it compares.
Emmanuel
sorry to steer you back to a tool you may have already eliminated but, the new dewalt planer is the best surface machine I have used of the smaller class of planers. Smooth operation, awesome dust extraction, the right accessories, two speed, ease of blade change, and weight to power ratio. The dewalt is the best Christmas tool I have got from my wife.
Brice Burrell
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Jesse Cloud
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Garry,
Good instincts! Don't go with the cheap tool, especially on a planer. The difference between mediocre furniture and something you can be proud of is exact thickness and exact squareness. If you don't have those two things right going in, it will be very difficult to make your joinery come out right!!!
Good instincts! Don't go with the cheap tool, especially on a planer. The difference between mediocre furniture and something you can be proud of is exact thickness and exact squareness. If you don't have those two things right going in, it will be very difficult to make your joinery come out right!!!
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Can't beat the Rigid model TPI3000. You can pick it up at HD very cheap, extra blades, includes a steel stand, and comes with a lifetime warranty that includes the blades. I've been monitoring some cabinet makers on WoodWeb forum and many of the professionals use it and plane 1000 board feet before having to replace the blades.
This unit has the "Repeat A Cut" feature which I haven't used yet but sounded handy to have some day.
I bought mine in September and have been very pleased. The tables were perfectly flat from the factory and no adjustments were necessary. I've run about 100 board feet through and the last boards looks as good as the first.
I usually don't like Rigid tools but this planer has been an exception.
This unit has the "Repeat A Cut" feature which I haven't used yet but sounded handy to have some day.
I bought mine in September and have been very pleased. The tables were perfectly flat from the factory and no adjustments were necessary. I've run about 100 board feet through and the last boards looks as good as the first.
I usually don't like Rigid tools but this planer has been an exception.
Matthew Schenker
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Garry,
I've been using the DeWalt DW735 for a while now, and it has performed very well. Definitely, a benchtop planer is a valuable addition to any shop.
The only thing I sometimes regret is that it's not a 17", but then again, if I had a 17" I'd probably wish it were a 19"...
I've also heard a lot of people say very positive things about the Ridgid, which was one of my top candidates when I bought the DeWalt.
By the way, we had a planer discussion started back in April about the DeWalt. Check it out by CLICKING HERE.
Matthew
I've been using the DeWalt DW735 for a while now, and it has performed very well. Definitely, a benchtop planer is a valuable addition to any shop.
The only thing I sometimes regret is that it's not a 17", but then again, if I had a 17" I'd probably wish it were a 19"...
I've also heard a lot of people say very positive things about the Ridgid, which was one of my top candidates when I bought the DeWalt.
By the way, we had a planer discussion started back in April about the DeWalt. Check it out by CLICKING HERE.
Matthew