questions about planer/moulder

[J Bird]

I am a newbie here so I appreciate any help I can get. This is my situation. I am looking for a tool that will plane really hard wood. If it had the capability to act as a table saw that would be a bonus. This tool would be shipped to an African wood worker I befriended on a mission trip the spring of 2012. It would need to run on 220v. There is a Foley model 344 going to auction on Saturday and while trying to research this tool I read that Belsaw has/had a model 9103 that had a ripsaw attachment available. Can any one give me some information /recommendations on these 2 tools or what would be a good pick for my friend in Mali West Africa?  Are cutter knives and parts available for these machines? There will be a shipping container scheduled to leave the states in September to go to the hospital that we worked at and I think there would be room to include it. Thanks to all that can give me some guidance. J Bird, NE Indiana. 

[WDH]

Check this out.

http://www.woodmastertools.com/molder_planers

[Magicman]

I am of no help with your questions, but thank you for your mission work and Welcome to the Forestry Forum.   

[clww]

Welcome to the Forestry Forum.

[J Bird]

Thanks for the replies to my post everyone. I seemed to have run into a brick wall regarding information on the Foley 344 planer /molder. The man I talked to at Belsaw said he had never heard of one. I passed on the one at the auction Saturday, so I am at square one. I did look at the woodmaster unit online but I am not sure my Malian friend has the wiring necessary to run a 5 hp motor. That is an issue I need to discuss with the missionary when I see him in a few days. Any leads or advice on what else is available I would appreciate. My friend is more than just a hobbies guy, he does wood working for a living so it would be used on a regular basis. J Bird. 

[J Bird]

I have been looking at planers and see that some are available with straight blades and some with spiral blades. What are the advantages/disadvantages for each? Will anyone give me a review on the Grizzly brand? Thanks, J Bird.

[Oliver1655]

If you look at the videos on the Grizzly.com site they compare planers & explain the difference.  They have been around for years & many smaller cabinet shops are using their equipment successfully. 

John

[WDH]

Straight blades are just that, straight blades.  Some have two sides and are disposable.  You run one side until dull, then turn them and run the reverse side.  Once this side is dull, they have to be replaced.  Some straight blades can be re-sharpened if you have the equipment to re-sharpen them and if they are not the disposable kind which cannot be re-sharpened.

The spiral inserts are not long blades, but small square cutters with four cutting sides.  They are arranged in a spiral or helical arrangement on the cutterhead.  They are carbide and stay sharper much longer than regular planer blades.  They do a superior job over the straight blades.  When one side of the cutters get dull, you turn them 90 degrees to a new face.  When compared to the old straight blades, it is like comparing fuel injection to an old carburetor in cars. 

I have a Grizzly planer and it does a fine job.  Their quality is much improved over their earlier years and their customer service is among the very best.  Plus, almost all planers today are manufactured in Taiwan or China and use the very same components even though some cost a bit more than others because of brand name. 

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Plus, almost all planers today are manufactured in Taiwan or China and use the very same components even though some cost a bit more than others because of brand name.

Now you tell me. 

[J Bird]

Thanks WDH, The information you gave makes me feel better about the brand you are using. Apparently parts availability has not been an issue for you? J Bird.

[WDH]

I have not needed any parts so far after almost three years and many hours of use.  A call to Customer Service to ask about parts availability in Europe and/or Africa might be fruitful in providing their take on one of their machines being in service in Africa. 

[J Bird]

Thank you WDH, I believe the electric service in that part of Africa is on 50Htz so I need to call customer service and see if modifications are necessary. Good call and thanks again for the tips. J Bird.