Thickness Planer

[bkharman]

All,

I don't really have any experience with thickness planers but I think I a meeting to the point where it may save me a spot of money.  I am going to be re-doing my kitchen in a shaker style and can find decent prices on milled lumber (¾") for the rails and stiles, but I think that it might be a good idea to get some ideas on a planer that won't break the bank.  I looked around a bit and of course quickly got overwhelmed.  I was thinking of spending between $3-600 for a new one or if a nice offer comes up on a used one within range, I might take a gander.  [wink]

I don't think i would need anything above a 13" wide board at this stage, and want something fairly low maintenance, and I am definitely in the "hobbyist" category.

Cheers

Bryan

 

[Sparktrician]

I'd suggest taking a good look at a DeWalt 735-X.  Make your own table for it to sit on (on locking casters) and make the height of the table such that you can use an MFT (or two) for infeed and outfeed tables for the planer.  In other words, have the planer's infeed and outfeed tables at 900mm above the floor.  Another thing you should consider is that any planer will generate phenominal quantities of shavings, so a good cyclone is a great thing to have so you don't run out of vacuum bags too quickly.  Don't even think of using a CT dust extractor with the planer.  You'll need something that has a minimum 2.5" hose to keep up with the output of the planer.  You'll also need an adapter to go from the 4" output fitting to the 2.5" hose to the cyclone.  You can sometimes find reconditioned DW735s on the web on Amazon as well as other places.

 

[woodie]

+1 on the 735. The "X" version is usually the better buy as it adds an extra set of knives and in-feed out-feed extensions. Amazon has it for another $39 over the price of the standard 735.

 

[josephgewing]

For a planer that will take on all woods, the Steel City planer with carbide insert knives, has done a great job for me. It is a little more expensive but not much.

My Delta blade planer choked on Jotoba (Brazilian Cherry) and the Steel City planer made easy work of it

Joe

 

[oil trader]

Another vote for the Dewalt.  Rockler & Woodcraft always seem to have dueling specials on them.  I picked one up a few months ago for $479 (might be lying...but this number sticks out to me...it was no more than $520 I'm certain), and it included an extra set of knives as well as the small dewalt trim router.  Heck of a deal, IMO.

 

[land_kel]

15 3/4" Makita 2040 here. Older, but in real good nik!

Picked it up at an auction for $250. With 2 extra sets of sharp cutters.  Will do more than I will ever need I'm thinking.

D

 

[rljatl]

For a planer that will take on all woods, the Steel City planer with carbide insert knives, has done a great job for me. It is a little more expensive but not much.

My Delta blade planer choked on Jotoba (Brazilian Cherry) and the Steel City planer made easy work of it

Joe

Yes, this one:
Steel City Portable Planer 13 inch Helical Head with CARBIDE CUTTERS 40300HC

 

[peter halle]

I think that Woodcraft has the 435x with a free table right now.  If there is a local Woodcraft you might want to give them a call.

Peter

 

[bkharman]

I think that Woodcraft has the 435x with a free table right now.  If there is a local Woodcraft you might want to give them a call.

Peter

I was headed there tomorrow... will definitely look into it!

Thanks everyone for the advise...

 

[rljatl]

I think that Woodcraft has the 435x with a free table right now.  If there is a local Woodcraft you might want to give them a call.

Peter

Free is relative.  Woodcraft is charging $650.00 for the 635 and 'Free" stand.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

Interesting timing for this thread... I may be in the market, once again, for a thickness planer. I like the idea of having a helical head.  The Steel City looks good and is supposed to be quiet. I wonder how much quieter it is than the Dewalt, which is famous for being loud?  I read that someone uses the helical head with his 735x.  [scratch chin]
And then, where would I put this thing? I replaced my spot for my last planer (Makita) with the Kapex and have been out-sourcing my moulding work...which has just become more expensive. Please keep the advice and recommendations flowing.

 

[promark747]

I wonder how much quieter it is than the Dewalt, which is famous for being loud?

I love my DeWalt 735, though it is loud.  Along with my routers, it's one of the only tools I "double up" hearing protection by using small silicone earbuds and then covering those with headphones.

I also recommend adding the Wixey digital planer gauge. http://www.wixey.com/planer/

 

[Dogiedad]

Picked up my DeWalt 735 last week at Lowes for $460.00 using my Lowes card= extra 5% off. The planer was clearance and marked non-stock. I located the store manger and started negotiating. It was a display with no box but comes with full warranty. I sold my 8 year old 13" delta for $250.00 a couple of days ago. The DeWalt's dust collection is much better. Plan on building my stand to match the cabinets on my miter stand.

Michael in Murphy

 

[pugilato]

How does the DW734 compare to the 735?

 

[Nick C]

I think the DW 735X is the perfect planer for you. Get the extension tables, and a Wixey digital readout for it. I used one of these for years. Reliable, accurate, (somewhat) portable, and with a modest 4" DC vac (Jet 1 hp), virtually dust free. I sold it two years ago and bought a $4500 Hammer jointer-planer. I still miss my DW 735!

 

[john5mt]

Are there resharpenable knives for a dw735?

I worked for a guy that had the 734 with those disposable knives and that was a nightmare

 

[promark747]

Are there resharpenable knives for a dw735?

I worked for a guy that had the 734 with those disposable knives and that was a nightmare

I believe the knives are indexed and intended to be disposable/consumable.

 

[Motown]

Another vote for the Dewalt and I'd second the dust collection requirement. Good luck and let us know what you decided.

 

[leer]

Yet another vote for the DW735.  I consider this one of my best woodworking investments.  Of course, I'll qualify that by saying I just ordered  a TS55 REQ yesterday -- awaiting the arrival of my first Festool. 

 

[Stone Message]

If you just buy a thicknesser how will you handle the jointing? You can use a TS for boards but doing jointing by hand can be a pain.

If you want a hobby rated machine then you might benefit from a jointer-thicknesser like this:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2082339/32797/Rikon-PlanerJointer-Model-25-010.aspx

This is a very well established design and has been sold around the world with dozens of different names and colour schemes. My old one was made by Elecktra Beckum but Metabo, Record, Axminster and tons of others sell it in their own colours.

I know that it a little high compared to your budget but you may not get the savings that you envisage by buying sawn/rough timber if you cannot do the jointing easily.

When I did my own kitchen in quarter sawn French oak I saved enough to buy three of these compared to buying pre-prepared wood. It also gave me loads of wiggle room when I needed to make some adjustments to the design which meant producing different thicknesses that I had not envisaged at the start of the project.

Peter