FineWoodWorking's Tools & Shops 2002/2003 ed. did a review on 13" portable
planers. It would appear that you get more bang for your buck with both the
DeWalt and the Ridgid 13" Planers.
I know your asking for the larger style 15" and that's why I was going to
recommend mine. I recently purchased the Bridgewood Model BW-15P Wood Planer
for $995.00 U.S. direct form Wilke Machinery. Customer service is out of
this world. The company really wants your business and will accommodate you
in every which way. Give them a call, I'm sure you'll be pleased.
Here's the link:
http://www.wilkemach.com
Good Luck.
"Rob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Can anyone recommend a 15" planer?
>
> Does anyone remember a recent magazine review?
>
> Thanks!
>
>
In rec.woodworking
"Rob" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Can anyone recommend a 15" planer?
>
>Does anyone remember a recent magazine review?
www.google.com
search for "review 15" wood planer"
22,200 hits for review 15" wood planer. (0.17 seconds)
I like the moveable motor over moveable table kind. Makes it easier to plan
cabinet heights in a small shop.
I assume that your choice of an iron planer means you're going to do more
extensive planing than is practical with a lunchbox type, so plan your area
to allow stock on the same pass to be placed to one side awaiting, one side
complete.
If you're a board or two at a time - get a universal motor type.
Check FWW for a review.
"Rob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Can anyone recommend a 15" planer?
>
> Does anyone remember a recent magazine review?
>
> Thanks!
>
>
I purchased a SunHill 15" planer used from a cabinet shop. It had
been an excellent planner. No snipe and a great finish.
Previous to my sunhill I purchased a Harbor Freight 16" planer. It
was so bad I sent it back.
[email protected] (Tom Bergman) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I've had the Grizzly 15", open stand planer for a few years. It works
> great. Out of the crate ready to go. Gives a good finish at the
> slower speed. It doesn't bog down at all. It claims to take 1/8" max
> per pass, but you can't get that much under the shield that prevents
> taking too big a cut. I typically do about 1/16" per pass to minimize
> tearout anyway, with 1/32" per pass on the final passes (depends on
> wood). You can't take much less than 1/32" or the serrated feed
> roller will leave marks.
>
> What I like about it: 1) power, 2) all metal rollers (front serrated
> and rear solid), 3) anti-kickback pawls, 4) size, 5) keeps settings
> (I've never had to adjust it, other than thikness obviously!, hundreds
> of bf passed through), and 6) price.
>
> What I don't like about it: 1) changing blades. You have to do a fair
> amount of dissassembly to use the planer pals (there isn't quite
> enough space with the chip breaker). You can use the jig that comes
> with it, but it seemed a little sloppy for something you want the
> blades within a couple thou on. Figure 45 minutes plus sharpening
> time - of course this isn't done all that often. The blades come
> sharp, but were sharper after I did them myself. They are pretty
> beefy blades, my guess is I'll get plenty of resharpenings.
>
> Pretty good deal IMO.
"Rob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Can anyone recommend a 15" planer?
>
> Does anyone remember a recent magazine review?
>
> Thanks!
Well since you're in the market for a class above the benchtop, universal
motor types, take a look at a top end (for small shops) in the Powermatic
with helical cutting heads. Its in a league by itself.
Bob
I've had the Grizzly 15", open stand planer for a few years. It works
great. Out of the crate ready to go. Gives a good finish at the
slower speed. It doesn't bog down at all. It claims to take 1/8" max
per pass, but you can't get that much under the shield that prevents
taking too big a cut. I typically do about 1/16" per pass to minimize
tearout anyway, with 1/32" per pass on the final passes (depends on
wood). You can't take much less than 1/32" or the serrated feed
roller will leave marks.
What I like about it: 1) power, 2) all metal rollers (front serrated
and rear solid), 3) anti-kickback pawls, 4) size, 5) keeps settings
(I've never had to adjust it, other than thikness obviously!, hundreds
of bf passed through), and 6) price.
What I don't like about it: 1) changing blades. You have to do a fair
amount of dissassembly to use the planer pals (there isn't quite
enough space with the chip breaker). You can use the jig that comes
with it, but it seemed a little sloppy for something you want the
blades within a couple thou on. Figure 45 minutes plus sharpening
time - of course this isn't done all that often. The blades come
sharp, but were sharper after I did them myself. They are pretty
beefy blades, my guess is I'll get plenty of resharpenings.
Pretty good deal IMO.
Jet. Had for about 2 yrs now. Runs well. Blades are about $70-80 a pop.
Would also check Powermatic and Grizzly.
"Bruce" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In rec.woodworking
> "Rob" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >Can anyone recommend a 15" planer?
> >
> >Does anyone remember a recent magazine review?
>
> www.google.com
>
> search for "review 15" wood planer"
>
> 22,200 hits for review 15" wood planer. (0.17 seconds)
>