Planer upgrade suggestions

[humantorch]

Hey all,
So I've been using the 13" dewalt DW735 for a few years and have numerous issues with it. Currently it's lying, disassembled on my workbench right now and it's looking like I'll need to spend about $250 in parts if I want to fix it...which I don't...so, I humbly ask this forum for some advice on upgrade choices.
I work with wood for a living so this isn't a hobby BUT I'm also not even close to made of money so this upgrade is going to hurt my pocketbook regardless.
My thoughts are that I would like at least 15"+ and helical head cutter.
I've perused some of the used options here in Arizona but I'm not having much luck.
Any help or reviews would be much appreciated. Ideally I would buy it used but I'm also leaning toward a new one (jet, powermatic, laguna, grizzly....any suggestions????)
Thanks
HT

 

[Kev]

I'm thinking Hammer. I wouldn't personally spring the extra for the more mature Felder brother. I'd go the helical "Silent Cutter" too.

Not sure on US $sting.

 

[humantorch]

What's wrong with your Dewalt?  They get good reviews.

For the second time I've had issues with the 4 posts staying aligned as well as a gear inside snapping when trying to raise and lower. That and the fact that I work with a lot of mesquite which destroys the blades.

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Buss.

Not for the timid.

 

[Billedis]

For a good price look into the Grizzly products.

 

[humantorch]

You wrote above that you have been using it for a "few years."  Did you buy it new?  How old is it?  Did you always have problems with it?

Maybe they have been improved since you bought it? 

I raise these points because I am trying to decide which planer to buy.  I bought the Rikon, but was planning to take it back this Saturday (unopened) and buy the Dewalt instead.

RLJ, it's find as a hobbyist or weekend warrior or maybe even a step above that but if you're at all serious about woodworking then I would suggest going bigger and better. I bought it new. I was initially very pleased with it but with time it just proved to be more hassle than it's worth. I'd honestly rather spend another $1000 to get what I want/need. Having said that I have no base of comparison with other small shop 13" planers so I can't give advice based on that.

 

[waho6o9]

The Oliver 4420 16” Planer puts other planers in this class to shame.  This full featured planer with a powerful 5HP motor and helical cutterhead gets the job done with ease.  Built in table rollers reduce friction for rough stock and keep the material from hanging up.  The powerful chain drive system positively feeds the material through a bullet proof 2 speed gear reduction box.  Add the LCD readout for thickness, a built in mobile base and there’s really not much more to ask for.  The 4420 has it all.

http://www.olivermachinery.net/index.php?node=machines&type_id=3&model=4420

Buy once and have it for a life time

 

[roblg3]

i bought the grizzly G0453.  It's still reasonably new but i've surfaced quite a bit of "tiger wood", rough sawn white oak and even ipe with it. 2 quick passes across the belt portion of my little delta, 4" belt 6" disc table top machine at 220 grit and my sanding is done.  It's really quiet, (helical head) and cost me ~$900 U.S.  i use my ct 36 which fills up quickly and does an ok job, for now.  i think theres a chip eject support fan that can be added which i wish i would've done.  but the ct fills up real fast.  With the long life bag i just dump all the "free" hardwood "mulch" in my flower beds [wink]  I can't speak to the longevity of the machine, but it comes as a mobile unit, which i needed and the cuts look damn good to me!

 

[Cheese]

[member=25598]humantorch[/member]
I think you need to make a decision if you need portability or not. That pretty much decides in which direction to start looking.

What's been discussed so far is a Dewalt @ 90#, a Hammer, Oliver & Grizzly @ 700# and a Buss @ 5000#.

 

[jaguar36]

I like how the OP talks about not being made of money and the first suggestion is a Hammer and then an Oliver.

I'd look for a used Powermatic, they can be quite cheap if you're lucky and willing to wait.  However since it sounds like you need one soon with the dewalt being borked, I'd go with a Grizzly too. The G0453PX is $1600 with a spiral cutterhead.  The fit and finish certinly won't match a Hammer or an Oliver, but its like half the price.

 

[irishman]

Were you adjusting the height of the planer while it was running?  I've heard this can be bad.  Never had problems with mine, and I bought it used several years ago.

The 13" dewalt is in my opinion at the top of it's class in many areas, weight being one.  I think it's really designed to be "workshop portable" rather than move it from jobsite to jobsite. 

However, when used correctly, I don't think there's another lunchbox planer that can match it.

The larger machines suggested above are in a different league than these more portable units.  I think like the others above have stated, it needs to be determined what the goals and or priorities are before you can decide on one.

 

[Cheese]

Were you adjusting the height of the planer while it was running?  I've heard this can be bad.  Never had problems with mine, and I bought it used several years ago.

Never heard that one before, I always adjust the height while it's running, never had any issues. That would indeed be a slow, painfull operation otherwise.

 

[humantorch]

Definitely was adjusting the height with it running because.... Yeah, that's what you do. For it to have issues like that would mean it's a total piece of garbage.
I like the grizzly suggestion. Looks like a good meeting point. I definitely am not looking for portability.

 

[roblg3]

This was rough sawn white oak scrap straight out of the planer unsanded.  If this is good enough for you??  I'm careful, but there's ocassional sniping...it's a planer, it'll happen from time to time  I lied, it's been straight lined AND ripped on the table saw...but no sanding

 

[jacko9]

I'd look for a used Powermatic and expand your search area to include all of the United States.  These machines are bullet - proof steel and cast iron and will last your lifetime.  I bought a Model 100 new back in 1980 and it still runs without a glitch day after day with a nice 3hp motor and I only do hardwood.

Jack

 

[grbmds]

I'd do a search within the price range you can afford. Since you say portability isn't the issue, there seem to ba quite a few planers out there that can be bought with helical cutter heads (which is certainly something you want to put at the top of the list). I have used the Dewalt 735 for years without problem, but I do not do WW for a living. I'm just a hobbyist, so my needs are different. I have never had a problem with alignment to the heads. I even managed to break the dust impeller by running a loose knot through. I also stupidly reversed one of the knives and broke out a piece that knife. No ill effects from either other than having to replace the impeller. Maybe you just got a bad one. The helical head with carbide inserts would definitely head off any future blade dulling problems. I have a Jet 8" jointer with helical head and, although this head is not the top of the line it does a great job and appears the inserts will last for the rest of my life.

 

[Cheese]

I'd look for a used Powermatic and expand your search area to include all of the United States.  These machines are bullet - proof steel and cast iron and will last your lifetime.  I bought a Model 100 new back in 1980 and it still runs without a glitch day after day with a nice 3hp motor and I only do hardwood.

Jack

I'd second this suggestion, I need my DW 735 because it is portable, but I'm looking for a used Powermatic to be used as my go-to planer. I believe Byrd-Shelix heads are also available for them.

 

[rst]

Another vote for the PM-100.  Mine is also from the early 80's, 3HP and works fantastic, the only problem being that I never bought a jointer.  That being said I'm willing to part with mine as I would like to buy a Felder/Hammer to save space.  Having to set up my 8020 router sled and spending so much time flattening has gotten old.

 

[rvieceli]

Let me second the used Powermatic route.

I don't know how close you are to Las Vegas but there is a 15 and a 22 inch Powermatic planer on the Las Vegas Craigslist.

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/tls/5131231022.html

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/tls/5083215825.html

 

[jacko9]

I'd look for a used Powermatic and expand your search area to include all of the United States.  These machines are bullet - proof steel and cast iron and will last your lifetime.  I bought a Model 100 new back in 1980 and it still runs without a glitch day after day with a nice 3hp motor and I only do hardwood.

Jack

I'd second this suggestion, I need my DW 735 because it is portable, but I'm looking for a used Powermatic to be used as my go-to planer. I believe Byrd-Shelix heads are also available for them.

I did install a Byrd Shelix cutter head two years ago for my Powermatic 100.  It cuts much better and quieter but, i don't like the scalloped surface finish on the boards.  I would use straight knives until another segmented head can be found to use on the Powermatic.

If you do find a ship wreak model 100 and need a cutter head, I have my old cutter head with two sets of straight knives.

Jack