a

27/08/2005 9:13 PM

Opinions on the Delta TP400LS planer


Hi all... I was wondering if I could trouble some of you guys for your
opinion on the Delta TP400LS planer.

First of all, I'm a casual woodworker, not overly swamped with projects
etc. My current project is a bunk bed for my kids and I'm in need of a
planer to keep going.

Just recently Canadian Tire had their Motomaster brand planer on
sale.... seemed a little cheap so I let it pass and set my eyes on the
Dewalt DW735 unit instead.
Today I walked into my local Home Depot to buy it but was advised by
one of the sales staff that he's been using the Delta TP400LS unit for
about six months and is very happy with it. He's put all sorts of wood
through it, including mahogany with no problems.
So here I am, mr. casual woodworker, thinking whether I want to spend
$700 on the Dewalt or $300 on the Delta.
I'm curious to see what the current owners of the Delta think about
this unit? What sort of wood were you planing with it and what were the
end results? How bad is the snipe on it? etc etc...

I would really appreciate your input/comments..

thanks
Alex


This topic has 10 replies

Ec

"Eric"

in reply to [email protected] on 27/08/2005 9:13 PM

28/08/2005 11:07 AM

Alex -
Check out the user reviews for the Delta at Amazon.com. That might help
you decide.
-E

a

in reply to [email protected] on 27/08/2005 9:13 PM

29/08/2005 11:45 AM

Ken and Eric... thank you for your input. Sure enough, I went to Amazon
site as well as Epinion.com and read through all sorts of reviews.
Bottom line is that I really don't need the Dewalt for the woodworking
that I do. I appreciate you guys making up my mind. Thanks!

Alex

a

in reply to [email protected] on 27/08/2005 9:13 PM

29/08/2005 11:52 AM

Ken....

$349 is an excellent deal. I believe Rona has it for $499 and it looks
like this is the one I will be going for... I'll check the pricing
again tonight.
Unfortunately we don't have Rideout Tools here in the Toronto area and
from what I've seen on their webpage, they don't ship which is too bad.

I'll check Home Hardware as well to see what they've got...

Hey Ken - thanks for the info, eh?

a

in reply to [email protected] on 27/08/2005 9:13 PM

29/08/2005 12:03 PM

Leon...

yep.. I think you just made up my mind. Now I need to find a good price
on a Delta. :)

a

in reply to [email protected] on 27/08/2005 9:13 PM

29/08/2005 5:06 PM

Terry...

justcame back from Rona... they want $629!!!!!!!! I wonder if the one
Ken's talking about is a reconditioned unit, eh?

Alex

Km

Ken

in reply to [email protected] on 27/08/2005 9:13 PM

29/08/2005 5:17 PM

Canadian eh!

I have used the Delta, TP 300, the TP400 and the 22-580 and
found all to be reliable performers that do what they are supposed to.
If you live near a Home Hardware they have the TP 300 for $229 cdn,
I think the best deal is the 22-580 at Rideout Tools for $349 cdn.
Check their web site, they are a reliable outfit.


Ken

AP

Alder

in reply to [email protected] on 27/08/2005 9:13 PM

29/08/2005 6:17 PM

Ken wrote::
> Canadian eh!
>
> I have used the Delta, TP 300, the TP400 and the 22-580 and
> found all to be reliable performers that do what they are supposed to.
> If you live near a Home Hardware they have the TP 300 for $229 cdn,
> I think the best deal is the 22-580 at Rideout Tools for $349 cdn.
> Check their web site, they are a reliable outfit.
>
>
> Ken

Definitely a deal. House of Tools here in Victoria wants ALL the money
($549).

Terry

Km

Ken

in reply to [email protected] on 27/08/2005 9:13 PM

30/08/2005 4:12 PM

Rideout Tools definitely ships .Call the toll free # on the web site.
I have bought a number of tools from them and shipping is always
prompt, and I am in a different province, although not to far away.
Toronto should be no problem.
The 22-580 I got was new, not reconditioned, and worked great
right out of the box. The dust hood is a 40 $ accessory tho, and there
is no second set of knives a la the TP 400.

PS No affiliation with Rideout tools beyond satisfied customer

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to [email protected] on 27/08/2005 9:13 PM

28/08/2005 9:30 PM


<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Snip

> So here I am, mr. casual woodworker, thinking whether I want to spend
> $700 on the Dewalt or $300 on the Delta.
> I'm curious to see what the current owners of the Delta think about
> this unit? What sort of wood were you planing with it and what were the
> end results? How bad is the snipe on it? etc etc...
>
> I would really appreciate your input/comments..

Well if you are concerned enough about the money to have to compare, the
cheaper one is really going to basically give you the same results as the
expensive one with less bells and whistles. Ok, on granny speed the DeWalt
will give you a smoother cut. SO WHAT. If you want to prepare your surface
correctly you still need to sand, scrape or hand plane the final surface.
Remember that these machines are thickness planers. I do this for a living
but not a high production setting. I am still using my 16 year old 10"
Ryobi and it is still quite capable of planing to the thickness that I want.
Keep in mind also that while one planer may provide a smoother surface out
of the box it will only be a matter of a few hours before a knife has a nick
in it and then the planer planes like any other.
I would also not be too worried about snipe either. Plane you boards before
squaring or cutting to length. Chances are that the board will have a split
on one end where the snipe is going to occur.


Km

Ken

in reply to [email protected] on 27/08/2005 9:13 PM

29/08/2005 5:19 PM

Forgot to mention, TP300.....snipe, TP400......minimal snipe, 22-580
....snipe almost a thing of the past.


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