EHL 65 planer, poor relation?

[bobfog]

Why is there so little love for the EHL 65 planer? Just doesn't seem like a popular item. Is it just because it's 65mm instead of the more traditional 82mm or is there something else that hasn't made it a big hit?

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

I reckon it's a size thing, just like the Kapex and the SYM-70.

The EHL-65 does everything I need it to very well. Great tool. As is the SYM-70.
I don't use the EHL that often, unlike the SYM-70 which gets far more use than the Kapex.

 

[GarryMartin]

I have the EHL 65 Bob, but it isn't a frequently used tool for me. I wonder whether the little love it gets is because it doesn't seem to have a standout feature that makes it "faster, easier, smarter" in use than any other small planer? OK, maybe the reversible dust extraction port is handy, and it's obviously a refined tool in use, but they're not killer features.

Nothing wrong with it, and it works well for me, but not much to get excited about either.

 

[Kev]

I've got one. Was tempted to upgrade to the latest - simply because I'm a lefty and the trigger is a bit naff on the original for me. Thing is, I don't use it enough to bother.

If I was trimming doors all day it would be an entry different story.

 

[Mavrik]

I've got one. It works great. Especially with the spiral blade.
But like others here - it never seems to leave its box.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[bryan1982]

l have one l use it every day fitting kitchen Kicks, fiIIers and benchtops, its one of my most used tools.

cheers Bryan

 

[95hilux]

I have one it's perfect for easing doors and most planing jobs. Bigger planes are a bit cumbersome and face it if you are doing a lot of rebating it's better to get a buzzer.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Don't know how you got the idea there is little love for it.

I have one too and it's a nice little planer. 

 

[bobfog]

Don't know how you got the idea there is little love for it.

I have one too and it's a nice little planer.

Discontinued in the US and few threads on FOG mentioning it/praising it. Glad you've got good things to say about it though.

 

[Kev]

Don't know how you got the idea there is little love for it.

I have one too and it's a nice little planer.

Discontinued in the US and few threads on FOG mentioning it/praising it. Glad you've got good things to say about it though.

That's a surprise to me.

Seems the NA offerings are being wound back to "bulk vanilla". If that's the case that's very "un Festool" [sad]

 

[peter halle]

Kev,

Of course I am not speaking for Festool or their marketing strategies which they keep internal, but my guess is that periodic reviews of what makes sense to bring over from Europe and offer for sale would be normal for any business.  As an example one of the major woodworking retailers culls out the bottom 5% of their offerings on a regular basis.

If the sales don't equate to the goals then excessive inventory sitting in a warehouse is a drain.

Peter

 

[AlexThePalex]

Discontinued in the US and few threads on FOG mentioning it/praising it. Glad you've got good things to say about it though.

Well, in the US bigger is better, so the 65 probably didn't sell so well. In Europe you see the 65 often.

Seems the NA offerings are being wound back to "bulk vanilla". If that's the case that's very "un Festool" [sad]

Totally incomprehensible marketing strategy, seems very Festool to me.

 

[jools]

Use mine all the time. Lightweight, good finish, like the helix blade. As has been said not a stand out tool but a good planer. Picked mine up from Amazon warehouse at a good price. Have the stand but found that more frightening than useful [eek]

 

[Doug S]

Mine gets quite a bit of use, it is a nice little planer, runs quietly and gives a great finish.
Maybe people are put off by the price of the blades.

Doug

 

[pingvinlakrits]

Worked with the older version for years and years. Got the new one but still keep the old battered one around.

The EHL65 is a great little machine, I use it periodically and sometimes I even forget I have one [eek] but I am really glad to have it. I find the newer one ergonomically improved.

 

[tony_sheehan]

I usually reach for a hand plane first, but today, working with some old recycled teak and iroko, I was glad I'd invested in rhe EHL65 because sometimes life's too short! ☺