Powermatic 15HH Planer

[gsdvorak]

I'm upgrading my planer and looking at this model- anyone have this one that can provide any feedback?  Or anyone happy with another similar unit?  I was also looking at Hammer but simply cannot afford it at this time. There is also a digital readout available as an accessory- would be interested if it's accurate and worth the extra coin.

I like the 15" size and looking for helical head for quieter operation.  Needs to be 220V single phase.

Regards,
Gerald

 

[Wooden Skye]

A friend of mine has one and he loves it.  If I was looking, I would go with a 16" combo machine like a Hammer/Felder, more for the wider jointer capacity and the space savings. 

 

[w802h]

I have had this planer for a year and have no issues with it.  It was a huge upgrade from a Dewalt 734.  Night and day different in power... and then there's the helical head cut quality.  After talking to a mechanic, I'm not sure the Jet is that much less of a machine.  I like having separate machines for planing/jointing and spent big on the Powermatic 12" Jointer. My jointer gets WAY more use than the planer.  With single phase a 12" jointer was as big as I could go. 

My strategy is to use the jointer, size on the table saw, plane, then do a careful glue-up with cauls if necessary and sand with Festools.  A 15" planer is all I need for the modest volume of my shop.  I do like having the longer bed of a dedicated jointer, but if your parts are small, I combo machine would work fine, if you can afford the change over time/settings.

Powermatic/Jet usually has a Black Friday sale that offers substantial savings. 

 

[Marsimi]

Hi. I am new to the forum and found it as I am upgrading some of my tools while shopping online - I was also considering the powermatic planer as well as the Felder 941.  Very different prices but saw the Felder when looking at euro sliders. The Felder seems to be about 3x the 15” powermatic. If you are doing some comparisons did you look at these?  I am just struggling with the salesman a bit and the price difference.  I use the 735 now as well and after selecting the lumber myself and planning I have nor used a joiner much - alsways sounded like I should but haven’t  [unsure]

 

[Canoescapes]

I have used this planer for several years.  The helical head is relatively quiet, as you note.  It is a powerful machine, but I tend to shave in small increments at slow speed to get the best finish.  Consequently, I don't stress the machine.  I have had two issues: (1) when I first got the machine, boards would occasionally hang up on the way through.  The dealer determined that the problem was a rough edge on the roller opening.  I few light passes with a file, and the problem has never recurred.  That should have been caught by quality control.  (2) Snipe -- I have tried to adjust the rollers, etc., and have minimized it, but it is still there.  So I tend to compensate by planing somewhat longer timber than I need.  If I was more comfortable with modifying the machine, perhaps I could eliminate it, but my mechanical skills leave a lot to be desired.

 

[CABMEISTER]

A good choice . Love mine . You will not regret your purchase one bit .
Pay attention to set up and tweaking and your all set .