Hand power planer
- Thread starter bobs12343
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Bob
To make the votes meaningful you need to tell people what your criteria are. What sort of tasks do you envisage for the planer? Do you want to do some static work (with the tool fixed)? Do you want to do fancy work (the sort of thing that the Festool 850 does well)? How much rebating do you expect to do and how deep do you need to go?
Without this extra information people will just vote for their favourite tool and that will not help you much.
Peter
PS I have voted for the Festool 850 - I have seen it demonstrated but do not own one - yet!
To make the votes meaningful you need to tell people what your criteria are. What sort of tasks do you envisage for the planer? Do you want to do some static work (with the tool fixed)? Do you want to do fancy work (the sort of thing that the Festool 850 does well)? How much rebating do you expect to do and how deep do you need to go?
Without this extra information people will just vote for their favourite tool and that will not help you much.
Peter
PS I have voted for the Festool 850 - I have seen it demonstrated but do not own one - yet!
Kev
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If you compare Festool to other brands, the integrated dust collection is a big factor!!!
I have the small Festool planer and was going to make do with my bigger Hitachi ... until I pulled it our and used it the other day. Now the 850 is on my list of tools to get.
Welcome to the FOG.
Kev.
I have the small Festool planer and was going to make do with my bigger Hitachi ... until I pulled it our and used it the other day. Now the 850 is on my list of tools to get.
Welcome to the FOG.
Kev.
joiner1970
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For an everyday planer the ehl65 will be perfect. It's light, powerful and very accurate. I've had one for years and I'm very impressed with it. I like little things on it like being able to click the rear safety foot out of the way when you don't need it.
One thing that doesn't quite work well is the chip ejection, which doesn't quite blast the chips out and can block. This isn't a problem if you use an extractor.
One thing that doesn't quite work well is the chip ejection, which doesn't quite blast the chips out and can block. This isn't a problem if you use an extractor.
Holzhacker
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For a big Planer, I'd recommend the 850 all the way. However, for what I do my 850 pretty much lives in the stand clamped to my MFT. I do use it occasionally free hand and its great. My massive older Makita doesn't get much (any) use nowadays.
For a small Planer, the Bosch. I know a lot of guys like the 65 but I wouldn't buy that thing for half the price. Poor features, not the best design. The Bosch is much easier to use and has far better features. The small Bosch is my go to Planer for daily jobsite use.
For a small Planer, the Bosch. I know a lot of guys like the 65 but I wouldn't buy that thing for half the price. Poor features, not the best design. The Bosch is much easier to use and has far better features. The small Bosch is my go to Planer for daily jobsite use.
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Hi Bob,
Welcome to the FOG! [smile]
You do realise that this being a Festool forum that the Festool planers will come highly recommended, and with good reason. The performance is excellent. DC is truly great I have the 850 and have used it in peoples living rooms without a care about getting dust everywhere. The spiral cut blade gives a very smooth finish.
They are both excellent planers. The 850 has more width and its special features are handy.
The HL850 replaced a DW that I had.
Seth
Welcome to the FOG! [smile]
You do realise that this being a Festool forum that the Festool planers will come highly recommended, and with good reason. The performance is excellent. DC is truly great I have the 850 and have used it in peoples living rooms without a care about getting dust everywhere. The spiral cut blade gives a very smooth finish.
They are both excellent planers. The 850 has more width and its special features are handy.
The HL850 replaced a DW that I had.
Seth
erock
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I voted for the festool 850. I own it and love it. It replaced the 6 inch craftsman joiner I used.
The dust collection and the ability to convert the 850 to a bench top unit sold me on the set up.
It saved me space in the shop and a lot easier changing the blade.
Plus if the project should pop up, I can change the cutter head for a special cut.
The way I looked at it was the festool 850 with the bench top unit is 2 tools in one.
By the way, I'm just a hobbyist and favor any festool over all the other brands.
I never looked at other brands for a comparison when I bought my 850.
Eric
The dust collection and the ability to convert the 850 to a bench top unit sold me on the set up.
It saved me space in the shop and a lot easier changing the blade.
Plus if the project should pop up, I can change the cutter head for a special cut.
The way I looked at it was the festool 850 with the bench top unit is 2 tools in one.
By the way, I'm just a hobbyist and favor any festool over all the other brands.
I never looked at other brands for a comparison when I bought my 850.
Eric
I got here a bit late. I voted for the 850.
Actually, it is the only power hand planer i have ever used. What i liked was the dust extraction could be set to exhaust to either side of the tool. I do not have to change blades, i just remove and go to another drum for special cuts. I have all four blade setups, but have used only two.
I used it for two or three years to flatten out one side of rough lumber. also blocks of fire wood that i wanted t square up to slice (resaw) on the bandsaw. That was about al I used it for. Last year, i bought the bench frame and fence and now use the tool for almost every project.
I have used other bench jointers and did not get impressed enough to bring one home. They were to heavy to move around the shop with my bad back. The 850, I can move anywhere in my shop and use it either as a hand planer or clamped down as the bench jointer. The adjustability for planing goes from .1mm to just over 3mm. The fence can angle from 90º to 45º. It isn't much for flattening out wide boards, but i have flattened one side of 2-1/2" pieces. It is great for short lumber. I have edge jointed boards as long as 48"s. i could probably do longer, but have not tried it. Have also rabbeted edges of the same 48" boards.
I suppose other hand planers can do the same job, but I have not (doesn't mean they aren't out there) seen other handplaners that can be mounted on a frame as a bench jointer. Certainly no bench jointer can be used as a hand planer. And I don't think any of the others can extract dust to either one side or the other. The hand planer can be used left or right handed. I don't know if that is available with the other models you asked about.
Tinker
Actually, it is the only power hand planer i have ever used. What i liked was the dust extraction could be set to exhaust to either side of the tool. I do not have to change blades, i just remove and go to another drum for special cuts. I have all four blade setups, but have used only two.
I used it for two or three years to flatten out one side of rough lumber. also blocks of fire wood that i wanted t square up to slice (resaw) on the bandsaw. That was about al I used it for. Last year, i bought the bench frame and fence and now use the tool for almost every project.
I have used other bench jointers and did not get impressed enough to bring one home. They were to heavy to move around the shop with my bad back. The 850, I can move anywhere in my shop and use it either as a hand planer or clamped down as the bench jointer. The adjustability for planing goes from .1mm to just over 3mm. The fence can angle from 90º to 45º. It isn't much for flattening out wide boards, but i have flattened one side of 2-1/2" pieces. It is great for short lumber. I have edge jointed boards as long as 48"s. i could probably do longer, but have not tried it. Have also rabbeted edges of the same 48" boards.
I suppose other hand planers can do the same job, but I have not (doesn't mean they aren't out there) seen other handplaners that can be mounted on a frame as a bench jointer. Certainly no bench jointer can be used as a hand planer. And I don't think any of the others can extract dust to either one side or the other. The hand planer can be used left or right handed. I don't know if that is available with the other models you asked about.
Tinker
Julian Tracy
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I guess it depends on what you need a planer for.
I've had powered handheld planers for years, a Bosch cordless unit and the above mentioned Bosch 1594 corded unit.
For me, most of my power planer usage is for scribing, fine fitting of cabinet fillers or for correction of warped 2x4 studs.
The whole Festool dust collection advantage is nill as the Bosch has nearly identical dust collection as well as a switchable left/right dust port that requires no knobs or removable parts as does the Festool 850.
For most of the scribe work I do onsite, I do so one-handed. You cannot hand hold the larger Festool 850 - it absolutely requires two hands to use it.
I actually first purchased an 850 as I intended to also buy the bench unit and figured that'd be great onsite as a small jointer. I ended up selling the planer though, as the expense of the benchtop stand and fence didn't make a great cost/value proposition when compared to the widely available much larger and just about as portable Delta benchtop 6" jointers. I picked up one of those for about $100 or less and though it'd lack in comparison to just about any shop stationary jointer 6" or otherwise, it's still probably 6X the jointer the 850 is inverted on it's stand.
That and the fact that I don't do a lot of door work meant I really had no compelling need to keep it.
I've since picked up a new in box HL850 along with the stand and fence and will take a fresh look at it and probably keep it as it was my Dad's and so it'll be an honor to own and use it.
I would still recommend to anyone else that the Bosch is as much handheld planer as most need as long as you're not a door fitter and that the portable Delta 6" jointers really are great little jobsite jointers that blow away any inverted handheld unit. Quiet, lightweight and with great dust collection and the ability to face join make it a great addition to any custom installers tool kit. Though they run $375 new or so, in my area they're on CL for $125-150 frequently.
The Bosch planer is Swiss made, MUCH less expensive and has great dust collection, cheap blades and a nice fence in the package, making the smaller Festool planer not too much of a draw unless you simply like your tools to match; which I can certainly understand, though cost/value is what guides my purchases these days.
JT
I've had powered handheld planers for years, a Bosch cordless unit and the above mentioned Bosch 1594 corded unit.
For me, most of my power planer usage is for scribing, fine fitting of cabinet fillers or for correction of warped 2x4 studs.
The whole Festool dust collection advantage is nill as the Bosch has nearly identical dust collection as well as a switchable left/right dust port that requires no knobs or removable parts as does the Festool 850.
For most of the scribe work I do onsite, I do so one-handed. You cannot hand hold the larger Festool 850 - it absolutely requires two hands to use it.
I actually first purchased an 850 as I intended to also buy the bench unit and figured that'd be great onsite as a small jointer. I ended up selling the planer though, as the expense of the benchtop stand and fence didn't make a great cost/value proposition when compared to the widely available much larger and just about as portable Delta benchtop 6" jointers. I picked up one of those for about $100 or less and though it'd lack in comparison to just about any shop stationary jointer 6" or otherwise, it's still probably 6X the jointer the 850 is inverted on it's stand.
That and the fact that I don't do a lot of door work meant I really had no compelling need to keep it.
I've since picked up a new in box HL850 along with the stand and fence and will take a fresh look at it and probably keep it as it was my Dad's and so it'll be an honor to own and use it.
I would still recommend to anyone else that the Bosch is as much handheld planer as most need as long as you're not a door fitter and that the portable Delta 6" jointers really are great little jobsite jointers that blow away any inverted handheld unit. Quiet, lightweight and with great dust collection and the ability to face join make it a great addition to any custom installers tool kit. Though they run $375 new or so, in my area they're on CL for $125-150 frequently.
The Bosch planer is Swiss made, MUCH less expensive and has great dust collection, cheap blades and a nice fence in the package, making the smaller Festool planer not too much of a draw unless you simply like your tools to match; which I can certainly understand, though cost/value is what guides my purchases these days.
JT
jmbfestool
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I own both festool planers. Bot brilliant. The ehl65 brilliant for one hand operation on the job and the 85 brilliant with the unlimited rebating feature and power and able to mount it to be used as a mini surface planer.
I have used Makita, Bosch, dewalt planers differet models of each brand non of them come close to the festool planers
I even own a dewalt planer I bought it as an apprentice was told its good its a pile of rubbish! It still pretty much like brand new. I found it far to heavy and didn't plane brilliant then belt snapped on me not long after I bought it so I just stuck it back in the box and its been der ever since. I went and bought the Bosch used it and its not bad but then I found out about festool took it back and swapped it for a festool! Glad I did!
I have used Makita, Bosch, dewalt planers differet models of each brand non of them come close to the festool planers
I even own a dewalt planer I bought it as an apprentice was told its good its a pile of rubbish! It still pretty much like brand new. I found it far to heavy and didn't plane brilliant then belt snapped on me not long after I bought it so I just stuck it back in the box and its been der ever since. I went and bought the Bosch used it and its not bad but then I found out about festool took it back and swapped it for a festool! Glad I did!
smorgasbord
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So, I'm toying with the idea of getting a Makita battery power planer (the 18v version since I'm in that system), and then spending $145 to get a helical cutterhead for it. Thoughts?
luvmytoolz
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[member=77266]smorgasbord[/member] Absolutely a helical is a must, but if you can hold of a HL850 second hand it is by far the best planer I've ever owned. Also really beautiful to use to freehand plane curves into timber. I love mine and would never sell it.
smorgasbord
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Second hand to save money? Because it's available new for $750....
I think I'd rather save the money for the track saw I'm going to need, too.
I think I'd rather save the money for the track saw I'm going to need, too.
I've done that on two hand planers. A word of caution. Since the hight of knives on helical head can't be adjusted and the outfeed table is stationary you may end up with unacceptable misalignment. The solution is either shim or sand down the outfeed table. It's usually an aluminum plate screwed to plastic body. So, expect some extra work.smorgasbord said:
The only hand planer with adjustable outfeed is Rockwell/Porter-Cable Versa Plane 653.
Other than that helical heads are great.
luvmytoolz
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smorgasbord said:
Wow, I keep forgetting you guys have a different range to us in OZ, the HL850 has inexplicably been MIA for some years here, so if you can buy it new I couldn't recommend one highly enough.
I bought a spiral head for my HL850 last year, and it was the best thing ever, amazingly smooth and quiet but an even more of a powerful beast than it was before!
This insta clip shows mine in use roughly hogging some Black Butt, a notorious Aussie hardwood renowned for it's toughness and severe blunting of tools:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyh_eBvL_T9/?img_index=1
smorgasbord said:
Depends what you want it for. Cabinet scribing etc., yes, would be a great choice. The Festool 850 always gets mentioned, and yes, it's a great tool, but not for cabinet work. I use the smaller Festool and love it, but as soon as the cordless one is available later this year, I'll be getting one.
I'd probably use it for a while before getting the helical head.
(Over the years, I've found that power planes are one of the most misunderstood tools out there. I was bought a Makita corded plane as a first year apprentice, many years ago, so have a few hours 'behind the wheel')
luvmytoolz
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Lincoln said:
I would have thought (and have found myself) the HL850 would be the better choice for scribing work as you can far more easily adjust the varying depth with the handle while planing?
I've never come across another plane that you could vary the DOC as easily and smoothly on the fly?
smorgasbord
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Svar said:
Thanks for the tip!
Lincoln said:
My first use would be to cut a large bevel on the underside of a live edge table so that it didn't look quite so thick. If I decide not to do this (might be hard with that free edge), then I'll put the money towards the track saw I almost certainly need.
luvmytoolz said:
Cool. I'd be using mine on cherry first, but I am known to be partial to exotic hardwoods. Just found out that the big wide/long piece of curly bubinga I couldn't resist buying last century is now banned for sale (don't know how I'd prove its age). I also had collected quite a few pieces of cocobolo, too.
