Woodmaster Planner Molder? Motor?

The only reason I went up to the 7hp was I wanted to be able to run
possibly 6-8 rip saw blades at once to cut 3/8" and 3/4" wide sticks
from 3/4 Oak. I've never actually tooled up for that but have no doubt
the 7hp would have no problem.

Honestly, 5hp is surely enough unless maybe you intend on planing the
full 18" wide. Even then the 5hp would surely suffice. The Grizzly 20"
planer comes with a 5hp.

HotRod wrote:
> I've decided to purchase a 18" Woodmaster planner molder and after taking
> into consideration a bunch of other items I'm left with the debate of either
> the 5 HP motor or upgrading to the 7 HP motor for $425, since 5 HP already
> seems large for a planner do those with the planner/molder recommend the
> upgrade?

Clarke
If I wanted to do a cut that rough I'd use a chainsaw After reading your
post I was actually picturing a chainsaw/bandsaw made by some redneck :-)

"SonomaProducts.com" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The only reason I went up to the 7hp was I wanted to be able to run
> possibly 6-8 rip saw blades at once to cut 3/8" and 3/4" wide sticks
> from 3/4 Oak. I've never actually tooled up for that but have no doubt
> the 7hp would have no problem.
>
> Honestly, 5hp is surely enough unless maybe you intend on planing the
> full 18" wide. Even then the 5hp would surely suffice. The Grizzly 20"
> planer comes with a 5hp.

Depends on what you're planing and how big a cut--the local yard has a
planer whose horsepower I've never determined but the bloody thing is about
the size of an SUV. Tried to take a half inch off a piece of 8/4 lapacho in
one bite and it got about 6 inches and stalled.

> HotRod wrote:
>> I've decided to purchase a 18" Woodmaster planner molder and after taking
>> into consideration a bunch of other items I'm left with the debate of
>> either
>> the 5 HP motor or upgrading to the 7 HP motor for $425, since 5 HP
>> already
>> seems large for a planner do those with the planner/molder recommend the
>> upgrade?
>

HotRod wrote:
> I've decided to purchase a 18" Woodmaster planner molder and after taking
> into consideration a bunch of other items I'm left with the debate of either
> the 5 HP motor or upgrading to the 7 HP motor for $425, since 5 HP already
> seems large for a planner do those with the planner/molder recommend the
> upgrade?
>
>
>
I've had the same unit for about 10 years now and have the 5hp motor ..
.. .. it's never been wanting for power.