Sorry pal I wish I could help. You are one of most helpful people on here so I have a feeling the community will chime in soon. TTT (To Top Thread) for knotscott's help.
Looking for Feedback on the Ridgid R4331 Planer
Anyone using or familiar with the newer R4331 planer (not the R4330)? Comments, insights, etc., good or bad?
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I had a very bad experience. Bought one, and it started eating itself from the inside out after about a week and a half. Returned it for a second one, that one lasted an hour before it started destroying itself. I wasn't taking more than 1/32" off at a time, either.
Got my money back and bought a Dewalt 735 instead. That thing has been nothing but awesome.
Got my money back and bought a Dewalt 735 instead. That thing has been nothing but awesome.
Scott, Is that a different model than my 3 blade Ridgid that is about 6 years old? If so, I'm no help.
Hard to say….I don't think the R4331 has been out for 6 years yet, but I could be wrong. You likely have an R4330….similar to the R4331, but not the same. Thanks.
I'll know more about the R4331 this weekend…I bought a refurb for $310 shipped from Tyler Tool. It should be here by tomorrow. I'm hoping for good things from it!
I'll know more about the R4331 this weekend…I bought a refurb for $310 shipped from Tyler Tool. It should be here by tomorrow. I'm hoping for good things from it!
Scott, I'll see if I can find a number or the manual. Mine has been an absolute workhorse and has been troublefree since purchased despite some severe abuse planning reclaimed/dirty lumber.
FYI - I have my "disposable" blades resharpened and they cut better/ last longer than the new ones.
Good luck with yours.
FYI - I have my "disposable" blades resharpened and they cut better/ last longer than the new ones.
Good luck with yours.
I have a R4331 on which I installed a Shelix head, I am happy with it.
http://lumberjocks.com/b2rtch/blog/39721
http://lumberjocks.com/b2rtch/blog/39721
Thanks guys!
Congrats scott.
May it serve you well.
May it serve you well.
Scott,
The only thing I do not care for on mine is the system to adjust the height, it is not as smooth as I wish it was, but this is due to the design, to many chains, gears and screws.
I improved this quite a bit on mine when I took the head out to replace it, by lubing everything to death with dry moly.
The only thing I do not care for on mine is the system to adjust the height, it is not as smooth as I wish it was, but this is due to the design, to many chains, gears and screws.
I improved this quite a bit on mine when I took the head out to replace it, by lubing everything to death with dry moly.
2
Bert - I remember not liking the raise/lower crank on my R4330. It was way too short of a diameter crank, so I added an extension and relocated the handle at the end of it…..it helped, but was still not quite to my liking. I guess the R4331 handle is on top now?
My R4330 mod:
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The R4331 crank looks pretty small too:
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My R4330 mod:
The R4331 crank looks pretty small too:
OK…the R4331 arrived today safely and intact. The main differences from the R4330 are the cutterhead lock and the chip ejector. As mentioned earlier, they did move the elevation crank to the top. Whether or not it's due to the location, I do like this elevation crank better than the one on the R4330.
I ran it for maybe 30 minutes tonight, and so far it's been just fine…..it's almost unfair to judge a planer with clean rollers and brand new blades, but so far so good, as expected. I'm not overly impressed with the DC so far, but it works as well as any other I've had…..I guess I expected stellar DC with the built in chip ejector. Once I've got a better feel for it, and have put some hours on it, I'll post an update and/or will possibly write a brief review.
I ran it for maybe 30 minutes tonight, and so far it's been just fine…..it's almost unfair to judge a planer with clean rollers and brand new blades, but so far so good, as expected. I'm not overly impressed with the DC so far, but it works as well as any other I've had…..I guess I expected stellar DC with the built in chip ejector. Once I've got a better feel for it, and have put some hours on it, I'll post an update and/or will possibly write a brief review.
Just curious about the purchase of a refurbed unit that was only $100 less then a NIB with its LSA eligibility.
Had mine for about 2 years. So far so good. I rarely use the lock on mine. I use the bag from my blower vac to catch chips. Does pretty good.
"Just curious about the purchase of a refurbed unit that was only $100 less then a NIB with its LSA eligibility."
This was an unplanned purchase, and there was really no budgeting for it….it was just a $300 expense, which had a lot more appeal than a $400 expense. We've been getting stretched on several different fronts lately….wedding, proms, dental work, car repairs, etc…..the $100 mattered this time.
This was an unplanned purchase, and there was really no budgeting for it….it was just a $300 expense, which had a lot more appeal than a $400 expense. We've been getting stretched on several different fronts lately….wedding, proms, dental work, car repairs, etc…..the $100 mattered this time.
Yep, mine was the previous model with the crank on the side.
Hey Scott,Once I ve got a better feel for it, and have put some hours on it, I ll post an update and/or will possibly write a brief review.
- knotscott
There's a craigslister in my area selling a Ridgid R4331 that's still in the box for $300. While searching for user experiences with this machine I came across your thread and was wondering if your experience over the last year and a half have been positive.
I'd be interested in your perspective.
I like it a lot better than the R4330. It's been a decent unit….no significant issues, and it's definitely an improvement over the R4330. Does the unit you're looking at come with the full warranty? If not, I'd be inclined to beat the bushes for some coupons and sale prices, or try to get a manager to honor a 20% HF coupon for a new one.Hey Scott,
There s a craigslister in my area selling a Ridgid R4331 that s still in the box for $300. While searching for user experiences with this machine I came across your thread and was wondering if your experience over the last year and a half have been positive.
I d be interested in your perspective.
- Ripper70
I have one of these and I've used it a lot. It's a pretty good planer for the money and the chip/dust collection is fantastic. What I don't like is that After about maybe 2000 lineal feel of hardwood passing thought it, the bearings are definitely on their way out. I do like that the disposable blade inserts are super easy and fast to change, and they have 2 edges each, but they're cheap metal and they don't last. They're also getting to be a pain to get. Most Home Depots (at least in my area) don't stock the 4331 planers anymore, and they therefore stopped stocking the blades. There aren't a lot of other places to get these disposable blades, so if they stop making them, you're pretty much screwed. If you wreck a blade in the middle of a job and you don't have more blades on hand, you're pretty much screwed until the new ones ship.
At least with something like one of the DeWalts, you can get new blades pretty much everywhere including your local grocer's freezer aisle, and if DeWalt ever goes under (HA!) or obsoletes the planer blades, there's enough out there that 3rd party aftermarket support will continue for a while.
At least with something like one of the DeWalts, you can get new blades pretty much everywhere including your local grocer's freezer aisle, and if DeWalt ever goes under (HA!) or obsoletes the planer blades, there's enough out there that 3rd party aftermarket support will continue for a while.
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
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