Rikon 25-010 or Dewalt 735X?

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Need a new jointer and planer... Issue is space and a four-floor walk-up. Peter Parfitt suggested to look at the Rikon 25-010. A wise suggestion. Since I am again using 8" -8/4 red oak for my next build, I need a jointer that can handle this width. This Rikon fits the bill.  However, I'm concerned that it is made with plastic gears. Rikon is closed due to the snow storm, but I will call them Monday to ask more about this and find out if they have a demo. This model is as big as I could go in this space. A review in Fine Woodworking suggested that this is a good tool for a weekend hobbyist and not someone who may be taxing the machine.

The Dewalt 735X with a home-made jointer sled and Wixey planer gauge is also a consideration.  I have never made or used a sled before, so I don't have a lot of confidence with this. Of course, the Dewalt would fit my space a little better, but the sled would also take up space. (I have no interest in a 6" bench top jointer.)

I am open to any and all advice or suggestions - especially from people who own these machines. Thanks.

 

[Sparktrician]

Need a new jointer and planer... Issue is space and a four-floor walk-up. Peter Parfitt suggested to look at the Rikon 25-010. A wise suggestion. Since I am again using 8" -8/4 red oak for my next build, I need a jointer that can handle this width. This Rikon fits the bill.  However, I'm concerned that it is made with plastic gears. Rikon is closed due to the snow storm, but I will call them Monday to ask more about this and find out if they have a demo. This model is as big as I could go in this space. A review in Fine Woodworking suggested that this is a good tool for a weekend hobbyist and not someone who may be taxing the machine.

The Dewalt 735X with a home-made jointer sled and Wixey planer gauge is also a consideration.  I have never made or used a sled before, so I don't have a lot of confidence with this. Of course, the Dewalt would fit my space a little better, but the sled would also take up space. (I have no interest in a 6" bench top jointer.)

I am open to any and all advice or suggestions - especially from people who own these machines. Thanks.

I've had very good luck/results with the DeWalt 735X, although the blades seem a tad delicate.  They took a few minor dings from planing some relatively soft cherry.  Everything sanded out fine, though.  The infeed/outfeed tables are essential in my book.  I'm about to make a rolling cart so that I can move it easily (it weighs 92#), and which will place the infeed/outfeed tables at 900mm AFF so they match the MFT height.  I strongly recommend using a Dust Deputy or something similar since it throws an incredible volume of chips/sawdust.  Don't even think of using a CT with it.  You'll need a minimum of a 2.5" hose on a good shop vac on the back side of the Dust Deputy.  I have mine rigged with a 4" 90° elbow on the output chute and a 4"-to-2.5" reducer and subsequently into the Dust Deputy. 

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Thanks, Willy. Yes, I have a Dust Deputy and a Laguna D16. I plan on using one of these for the planer. Aren't there after-market blades for the Dewalt 735 that are made better? Dewalt carbide blades, Powertec, Infinity, Magnate, Black and Decker? I know that there is a Byrd Shelix Head, also.

 

[Jaybolishes]

If you can get a helical head you won't be disappointed.  It's so quiet compared to straight blades and they last forever before you have to spin the cutters.  You probably know all this already.  I think I can take off much more wood per pass too.  It's like night and day when you have a helical head.  You also have four sets of blades basically  with the four sided inserts.  I like mostly how much quieter they are.  They came on my grizzly 15" planer, which was nice to not have to buy it as an extra add on.

 

[Sparktrician]

Thanks, Willy. Yes, I have a Dust Deputy and a Laguna D16. I plan on using one of these for the planer. Aren't there after-market blades for the Dewalt 735 that are made better? Dewalt carbide blades, Powertec, Infinity, Magnate, Black and Decker? I know that there is a Byrd Shelix Head, also.

The 735X comes with a second set of blades, but the Byrd Shelix is on the list for acquisition sometime soon.  The head is as expensive as the planer itself, $525 on Amazon. 

 

[Wooden Skye]

Grizzly has a 10 inch jointer/planer combo for $1195.  They also have 12" models With spiral cutterheads for $2300-2500.  I have been looking at the Grizzly, Hammer, Minimax and Baliegh are just to much at this time, then again my Dewalt 733 planer and Ridgid jointer are good, but would like to consolidate into 1 machine.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Grizzly has a 10 inch jointer/planer combo for $1195.  They also have 12" models With spiral cutterheads for $2300-2500.  I have been looking at the Grizzly, Hammer, Minimax and Baliegh are just to much at this time, then again my Dewalt 733 planer and Ridgid jointer are good, but would like to consolidate into 1 machine.

The Grizzly looks good, but at 350 lbs., it weighs 2x what the Rikon weighs (160 lbs.) ...getting it up the stairs is a real issue.

 

[Wooden Skye]

The weight would make it tough.  It may be time to move to a new shop with elevator or on the first floor!  Of course in NYC that is more of a challenge.  I have a client that is looking for single story warehouse in NJ cause even he is tired of working on multiple floors with a small elevator in Soho..

 

[leer]

I am another very satisfied DeWalt DW735 owner.  I have not upgraded to a helical head, but the standard HSS blades do an amazingly nice job.  This is probably one of the best purchases I ever made for my shop.

I bought a Laguna cyclone dust collector this summer.  I finally have a dust collector that can keep up with the planer.  When I first got it, I used the flat "spray nozzle" included with the planer.  I'll bet I still have bits of those wood shavings in the shop.  The planer can really generate an incredible blast of dust and chips.

 

[Wooden Skye]

The weight would make it tough.  It may be time to move to a new shop with elevator or on the first floor!  Of course in NYC that is more of a challenge.  I have a client that is looking for single story warehouse in NJ cause even he is tired of working on multiple floors with a small elevator in Soho..

Please have your friend contact me through FOG mail. Maybe we could split costs on a larger more workable space?

Unfortunately due to the nature of his business, he can't share space with anyone.  I will ask around to see if anyone else is willing to entertain this possibility.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

The weight would make it tough.  It may be time to move to a new shop with elevator or on the first floor!  Of course in NYC that is more of a challenge.  I have a client that is looking for single story warehouse in NJ cause even he is tired of working on multiple floors with a small elevator in Soho..

Please have your friend contact me through FOG mail. Maybe we could split costs on a larger more workable space?

Thanks, Bryan.

Unfortunately due to the nature of his business, he can't share space with anyone.  I will ask around to see if anyone else is willing to entertain this possibility.