planer

xlogger · January 11, 2021, 03:18:18 PM

Finally decide on getting a Oliver planer like Danny got and they are on back order for 3-4 months. Might look at the 25" Woodmaster planer with the spiral head. They come in 7 1/2hp but for about $700 more you can get a 10hp. I'd mainly be planing live edge slabs with it. Looking here for reviews if anyone has one. I've got a TK mill and they do give great customer support if needed.

Walnut Beast · January 11, 2021, 04:20:19 PM

What's the weight comparison between the two

Walnut Beast · January 11, 2021, 04:37:54 PM

The Oliver is 1,732 lbs net weight with 10 hp.

The Woodmaster is 695 lbs. with 7.5 hp so probably another ? lbs for a 10 hp

alan gage · January 11, 2021, 05:34:13 PM

Quote from: xlogger on January 11, 2021, 03:18:18 PM
Finally decide on getting a Oliver planer like Danny got and they are on back order for 3-4 months. Might look at the 25" Woodmaster planer with the spiral head. They come in 7 1/2hp but for about $700 more you can get a 10hp. I'd mainly be planing live edge slabs with it. Looking here for reviews if anyone has one. I've got a TK mill and they do give great customer support if needed.

Depending on how much lumber you run check the feed speeds. My Woodmaster 718 is slower than many planers. Not a big deal when you're running a few boards but when you're running 500bf or more you really start wishing they'd go a little faster.
Does the Oliver have a serrated infeed roller? If so that will make it easier to run multiple boards through at the same time, even if the thickness isn't perfect, which can save a ton of time. With my 718 I can't safely run multiple boards at the same time until after the first pass through so they're all the same thickness. Even then I'll sometimes get one that won't feed.
I've never used the Woodmaster's sanding attachment but I can see where it could be very beneficial for some things. I have used it as a rip saw and that's really nice. Haven't used the moulder function either but, depending on what you're doing, that might be nice.
Alan

A-z farmer · January 11, 2021, 05:37:39 PM

I have had the 725 for 2 years now and I got the farm duty 7.5 hp motor per south side recommended.i have used it a lot for slabs and lumber full width slabs .I have never had a problem with the power of the motor but only take off a half crank with wide slabs .It has a cast iron table with poly over it but it seems to work good but not as heavy as our old grizzly 15 inch which had a lot more cast iron .I just turned the cutters for the first time this December.They are soo quiet and do a very good smooth finish .

YellowHammer · January 11, 2021, 07:00:03 PM

The Oliver Danny got is the same as my Powermatic, except the next size up. It's a Cadillac planer, with segmented infeed, carbide inserts, adjustable bed rollers, two speed gearbox, adjustable pressure bar, 10hp single phase motor and auto up/down.

When I had issues with mine several years ago, Powermatic sent me an Oliver manual and even the illustrations were the same.

If you are considering a 7.5 hp planer, I'd look into a Powermatic 201HH/Oliver like mine. As a matter of fact, it's such a good and dependable planer we recently listed it in CL at a very high price and had several offers out of the gate. One guy came to look at it run and and asked why I were selling it, and I didn't know. So we stopped the advertisement and it's still here, running every weekend.

When a planer comes with lifting rings, you know it's pretty heavy duty.

xlogger · January 12, 2021, 06:30:36 AM

The 201hh is 22", I have a Jet 20" now, which works fine but want to do wider slabs. I talk to an old FF member last night that has 2 of the WM 25" and he said they do a good job and have been dependable. He has several employees and runs his for hours everyday. I'm not interested in nothing on the machine but having a spiral head with 10hp and probably only averaging 4-5 hours a week. I know the Oliver has some nice bells and whistles over the WM but less than half the price. After talking with Danny I would like to take off 1/8" per past if possible. They have a 8 week waiting list on them. If I go with them maybe I can call @Will_Johnson there and ask for a favor for faster.

Will_Johnson · January 12, 2021, 10:01:53 AM

We can't move you up the list but as the original buyer of a TK mill we will give you a discount!

In your situation, the spiral head might be worth considering, but can also be added later.

Worth noting as compared to some of the other machines out there that Woodmaster has infinitely variable feed rate versus many other machines that have just two speeds. This means you can adjust feed speed to the exact work-piece.

Machines are made in USA -- right here in Kansas City -- so parts availability is good (though rarely necessary) and our folks know the machine inside and out, which is helpful when you have questions.

Plus Made in USA means, well, Made in USA. Some may disagree, but around here we still think that matters.

Walnut Beast · January 12, 2021, 03:36:56 PM

Everybody seems to be very happy with there Woodmaster planer. If you go head to head with a 10 hp motor it seems like a very easy decision. Less than HALF THE PRICE, made in the USA 🇺🇸. Excellent company support