Need suggestions/opinions on a small planer purchase

Cypressstump · June 07, 2012, 08:34:27 AM

I am in the market for a small 13" planer. I am not yet ready or setup for large scale planing, but intend to be in the next year.
For my current needs, building a small cabin, a lunchbox planer would suit my needs I believe.

I have been looking at the local big box store models, and Dewalt has a 13 incher that 'looks' to be fairly stout, at least compared to some of the other brands they offer in comparable size/costs range. It a 3 blade , 2 speed unit.

I realize most of you guys are setup with the commercial units and have already done the trail and error on such smaller stuff.

Any suggestions would surely be appreciated!

Thanks, Stump

Magicman · June 07, 2012, 08:42:01 AM

I have done fine with my Delta. I would think that Delta, Dewalt, or Ridgid would all be OK. My final decision would be based on the blades. Availability, cost and ease of replacement.

jim blodgett · June 07, 2012, 10:54:06 AM

Makita.

I'm not sure what their current 12-13" portable model is but I have an older model 2012 that I have run tens of thousands of lin feet of various species through over the past 20 years and it's still ticking.

There must be some behind the scenes shenanigans in the business world (duh) becuase I don't think any of the big box stores carry many Makita tools. But every Asian tool manufacturer should be paying royalties to Makita. They broke the stereotype in the 80's by building affordable, high (enough) quality power tools that started an avalanche or import tool acceptance here in The States. Before them it was "Millwaukie, Skil, B+D, Porter Cable..." as the "best" power tools for professionals - not no more.

Anyways, do a little research into whatever Makita offers in that line today. I have rebuilt my little 2012 front to back and parts are still available today. If my son or one of my daughters was going into my profession (carpentry) and asked this same question, that's what I'd say.

In the 80's they used to import a very nice 15" planer/6"jointer combo tool I'd love to find, but I guess they didn't move enough units and it wasn't available here long...great shop tool...should have jumped on one at the time, but I was probably too busy trying to make the land payment or buy groceries.

Cypressstump · June 07, 2012, 11:19:08 AM

Thanks MM/Jim,

I like the features on the Dewalt, but open to others as I am not in a rush to buy today, I'll do some more checking. I'm gonna look into the Delta units as well.

I have a few Makita power tools, they are very sturdy and have lasted my abuse well. I did find a Makita model 2030 planer/joiner combo for 750, looked to be in good shape for it's age. But it's a local pickup only, no shipping. I like the setup of that combo unit.

DGK · June 07, 2012, 12:12:39 PM

I have a Dewalt 13" planer, it produces a very nice finish. The only trouble that I have had with it is that the rubber feed rollers slip on wood that has already been planed with a very smooth finish.

woodmills1 · June 07, 2012, 06:52:58 PM

pretty sure ryobi started the portable planer thing

I still have my first

their blades are in a holder so very easy to change

that said I did wonders with my old cheap 5 Hp belsaw

thecfarm · June 07, 2012, 09:27:33 PM

My wife brought me a 13" Ridgid. Have not even changed the blades in it yet,that's how little I used it. Really getting a workout now though. I have not used others so I like this one.

WDH · June 07, 2012, 09:35:55 PM

I had the DeWalt DW 733. It was a 12 1/2" two blade. I planed thousands of BF through it. I believe that Dodgy Loner is still running it. The DW 734 was basically the same unit, but with three blades, and I believe that 3 blades are better. These two are not made anymore, but you can find them used as people upgrade. You can get one for a very good price if you look around. The 13" DW 735 is what is out there now. Gets great reviews except it is as loud as a screaming banshee.

I agree with the quality and value of Makita tools. I have a number of them. The Rigid tools are also pretty solid from the reviews that I have seen, but I don't own any.

hackberry jake · June 07, 2012, 11:26:27 PM

I have had four planers, and I still own three (wore out a delta). For the money, I would keep an eye on craigslist for a used planer/molder. They really have the feed rollers set-up better than the lunch box planers. Woodmaster, RBI, Hawk,
Belsaw, I think there are more. They also come with bigger motors.

Ianab · June 08, 2012, 01:13:51 AM

I also have a DW733 that has served me well over the years.

It's only 2 blades, but they are big solid ones that can be resharpened a few times before you need to throw them away. Some of the models have thinner disposable blades. More convenient, but more pricey over the long run.

Thin to remember is their limitations. They can cut 3mm deep, or 300mm wide. NOT both. So planing wide boards means lighter passes. But as long as you are patient you can plane a lot of wood with one.

I would like a heavier duty (induction motor) unit, if I could find one cheap, that didn't need 3 phase power, and had the space etc.

Ian

WDH · June 08, 2012, 07:28:32 AM

Ian,

Being able to sharpen the blades on the DW 733 was nice, rather than dispose and buy new blades. The DW 734 had 3 two-sided disposable blades. I do not know about the current DW 735.

Cypress,

After going to the carbide spiral head, I am amazed by how much better job they do and for how long they stay sharp. I plane a lot of wood for projects. I purchased a 15", 3 HP, spiral head planer and I have not had to turn the inserts yet after two years and thousands of feet of lumber. With the old DeWalt, I would have had to sharpen the blades at least a couple of times. You may not have the $ to invest in a spiral head, but if you do, don't spend your money on a blade planer, go with the spiral head. If not, you could buy a used lunch box planer for $250 or less, maybe a good bit less. That old DW 734 with three blades was a very good machine for the Money.

grweldon · June 08, 2012, 08:21:18 AM

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but it seems relevent. WDH, what is the most affordable helix-head planer with carbide inserts? Before long I may be in the market for one and I was going to keep my eyes open. I use carbide cutting inserts at work, I assume these are the same type, probably have 4 or 8 edges on them with a screw in the center?

Cypressstump · June 08, 2012, 09:12:33 AM

I really appreciate the feedback guys!
I have a small cabin/apartment that I have built on my property until I get the house built.My use initially for the small planer would be soft wood like some sinker cypress and sinker Tupilo gum, which is really nice wood too. 10-12 inches would probably be the widest I would be planing. Most of the wider, 24-29" cypress for wall paneling is fine like it came off the mill.

Good point on the planer/molder Jake, I will continue to search a while before I decide.
WDH, a sprial head unit is my goal but will be a while before I can afford one. On what I have read up on, those are definately the Cat's Meow.

I'm still lurking aorund for a good deal on a used model. I may be able to find a higher quality used model for the same money as a new smaller unit.

barbender · June 08, 2012, 05:20:27 PM

I have a Craftsman 13", it leaves a nice finish but I sure wish I would have bought the Dewalt I was considering at the time, because it is a chore getting blades for the Craftsman, the Dewalt blades are available right in town, same with the Ridgid.

WDH · June 08, 2012, 10:08:25 PM

Quote from: grweldon on June 08, 2012, 08:21:18 AM
Don't mean to hijack the thread, but it seems relevent. WDH, what is the most affordable helix-head planer with carbide inserts? Before long I may be in the market for one and I was going to keep my eyes open. I use carbide cutting inserts at work, I assume these are the same type, probably have 4 or 8 edges on them with a screw in the center?

Steel City makes a lunchbox style planer with the carbide inserts. It is $600 to $650. However, I have read mixed reviews. Google it and read some of the reviews. Beyond that, you are looking well over $1000, more like $1500 - $1700 from what I found when I was in the market for one.

hackberry jake · June 08, 2012, 10:33:09 PM

There's a way you can search all of Craigslist. Google "all of Craigslist" and it should bring it up. That's how I found my woodmaster. 718 with propack for $800. I had to drive to tennesse to get it, but well worth it.

woodman58 · June 09, 2012, 08:06:15 AM

What ever you end up buying, make sure you can get the blades for it. I bought the DeWalt 12 1/2" planer from a box store and when I needed new blades for it they had stopped selling them. You can only get them on line. I now have to drive 50 miles to get blades. The ridgid will be around for a long time and I don't think they will stop selling the blades.

wdncno · June 09, 2012, 09:18:32 AM

I have had Makita, Delta, and DeWalt, and although the DeWalt is the nicest, and hhas more features, I will buy a Makita next time. De Walt slips and leaves marks. Makita liteally ran miles of wood in the worst possible environments. Also I always get at least 2 sharpenings on the disposable blades.

pineywoods · June 09, 2012, 09:52:42 AM

I have 2 planers, a delta "lunch box 12 inch" and a big ole 18 inch woodmaster. The delta mostly serves as a backup when I have the woodmaster set up to do molding and need one or 2 boards surface planed. Both have their good points. The delta is a bit underpowered, shove a 12 inch board in it, you aren't gonna take off more than a thirty second of an inch per pass. It needs variable feed speed. If you let the blades get dull, it bogs down quickly.

hackberry jake · June 09, 2012, 10:14:34 AM

They are quieter with sharp blades as well.

tyb525 · June 09, 2012, 12:33:02 PM

I have a Grizzly G0505 12 1/2" planer for a few years now, I like that their blades are 1/8" thick and double sided. I sharpened the first set twice and just got a new set. The feed rate seems pretty fast at 32fpm. The price for the planer is pretty reasonable I think, at $324.

WDH · June 10, 2012, 09:24:36 PM

The 3 blade DeWalt DW 734 is still being made I guess because I saw one in a Home Depot yesterday.

Sixacresand · June 11, 2012, 11:53:58 PM

The 12" planner I got at Lowes does a nice job. It cost about $300. I can get replacement blades there too. Of course it is designed for a carpenter shop and not for planning mega bf from a sawmill.