Thickness planer choices

[roblg3]

Well, I'm about to take the plunge on 1 of these 3 planers. 
in no particular order:
Rikon 23-400
Jet JWP160S
Grizzly G0453

all are similarly priced, powered and sized.  weight varies  quite a bit and mobility isn't that big of a deal because i can make it mobile.
Rikon's machine is helical head the others are straight cutters.  Rikon more cuts/minute= smoother cut
I'm looking at precision then durability and speed.  If it's durable but not precise, then i'm not interested. 
I'm teetering on buying taiwan over china?  does it matter?

 

[overanalyze]

It seems like the helical head is the way to go. I am looking at putting a helical head in my little Dewalt planer. Steel City tools bought a company that makes the heads. They have quite a few planers they sell with the heads in them all ready too.

 

[jacko9]

I put a helical head in my 12" Powermatic and it's performance is remarkably improved both ease of cut and noise reduction.

Jack

 

[Stephen B]

Well, . .
I'm teetering on buying taiwan over china?  does it matter?

[size=14pt]

There is a general perception down here that Taiwan wood/timber machine manufacturing is better than Chinese.

The Grizzly looks very close to the Carbatec 15 inch which is distributed in house in Australia. Mine came with a faulty cutter shaft, which was re ground and trued under warranty. Other than that has run faultlessly for 5 years since. I change gear box oil every 30 hrs.

You will notice that the timber on the right shows signs of a blade chip, something for you to consider in regard to the advantages of a helical head over blades.

http://www.carbatec.com.au/carba-tec-deluxe-15-thicknesser_c2650

 

[GreenGA]

I have the DeWalt 735 and have been thinking that when this set of knives need replacing, I would install helical rollers/heads.

 

[jbasen]

I have the DeWalt 735 and have been thinking that when this set of knives need replacing, I would install helical rollers/heads.

Do you like the 735?  I'm considering purchasing one and also getting helical cutter head

Thanks

 

[tjbnwi]

I have the older 12-1/2", dual blade single speed DW 733. It does snip more than I'd like and the DeWalt blades do not hold up well. Over all not a bad unit, the 735 is supposed to be better.

Tom

 

[adubeau]

I have the PM 15HH Planer...  and love it..

 

[duburban]

I have a 735, I really like it but need to find a way to improve the planing of thin stock. The rollers spin without grabbing it too often.

 

[jbasen]

I have a 735, I really like it but need to find a way to improve the planing of thin stock. The rollers spin without grabbing it too often.

At what thickness does it start having problems?

Thanks

 

[r cash]

I have a laguna 25" wide variable speed helical head digital control an motorized table.
It weighs about 2000lbs no chatter. my third planer best by far for me.
Have a great day
Rc [smile]

 

[GreenGA]

Yes, I like the 735; and considering what I paid for it...  [big grin]

I have not had the same thin planing problem that duburban noted further down.  That said, I do not think I have gone thinner than 1/2" or so.The one thing I should get are a set of DeWalt infeed and outfeed tables.  They go on sale on Amazon every once in a while.

I have the DeWalt 735 and have been thinking that when this set of knives need replacing, I would install helical rollers/heads.

Do you like the 735?  I'm considering purchasing one and also getting helical cutter head

Thanks

 

[paulhuse]

Do you like the 735?  I'm considering purchasing one and also getting helical cutter head
Thanks

I've had the DW 735 for a year now and love it. I have flipped the double-sided blades but not had to replace them in entirety (weekend woodworker vs pro). I definitely see the advantage of a helical head (which is made for this model) but after a year of ownership I don't think I have the use/abuse to justify it.

I do recommend the Wixey WR510 Digital Planer Readout if you have to consistently hit particular thicknesses. If you're just mowing down an entire stack of wood to the same dimension then it's not necessary. But if you're changing thicknesses frequently and need the accuracy, it's a great addition.

 

[rljatl]

I do not own it, but I would take a close look at this one:

Steel City Portable Planer 13 inch Helical Head with CARBIDE CUTTERS

 

[Sparktrician]

I have the DeWalt 735 and have been thinking that when this set of knives need replacing, I would install helical rollers/heads.

I'm in the same boat with this.  My 735 does very nicely, but the Byrd Shelix head would make it that much better. 

 

[GreenGA]

I saw those mounted in a 735 at a woodworking show earlier this year.  That's where I was bitten.  [blink]

If I ever see them on sale, I may get them before I do need them so when I do...  [big grin]

I'm in the same boat with this.  My 735 does very nicely, but the Byrd Shelix head would make it that much better. 

 

[jbasen]

Thanks for all the feedback on the 735

 

[rljatl]

Isn't the 735 close to $600?  Plus another $400 for the Byrd Shelix head?  I dunno, seems like lot to me.  Think I would check out stationary machines for that kind of dough.

 

[Sparktrician]

I got the 735-X for $500, delivered.  The darned thing weighs 92# out of the box.  I don't have the space for any truly stationary equipment, so the 735 is my best option, and will be even better when I take the time build a rolling base for it. 

 

[jbasen]

Isn't the 735 close to $600?  Plus another $400 for the Byrd Shelix head?  I dunno, seems like lot to me.  Think I would check out stationary machines for that kind of dough.

I have a small shop and everything has to be mobile.  The 735 will go on a wheeled cart that will sit in a corner with my drum sander, jointer, and sliding compound miter saw until it is needed.

From what I've seen, a stationary machine with a helical head would be almost double the cost of a 735 with the Byrd Shelix head.

Before I purchase anything I'm going to checkout the Steel City planer again.  When I started thinking about a new planer the steel city unit didn't have carbide cutters; they used hss.  I know they've upgraded to carbide now so it is worth another look.