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Choosing a planer

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2K views 28 replies 19 participants last post by  oach 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi All,

Weekend warrior. I am looking for a planer as I am tired of sanding so much. I would be using it for hard wood a d soft but needs to be capable. Prefer used as I am unsure how much use in the long run (why spend the money). Appreciate feedback on brands, models, and what to look for when buying a planer. Especially a used one.

Thank you for your time and assistance.
 
#3 ·
I was looking and saw a DW734 for $250 and after calling drove 10 minutes to get it and he said someone just left with it. I decided that with the risk of possible problems and it immediately needing a fresh set of blades, the cost was getting to close to what the new one is. If you search for the DW735X the X is for the in/outfeed tables and an extra set of blades and they are reversible too. Very solid for the money but others may have some more models to choose from. If running any big box store stock through remember to check for bar code staples on the ends of the boards, do ask me how I know.
 
#6 ·
A machine planer surface still requires sanding (I have a dw735). Handplanes can do all aspects of dimensioning, flattening glue ups, and surface prep, tho require some skill building, physical work, and depending on how deep you go arent necessarily cheaper. For me all planed and other surfaces get prepped with a smoother, then lightly sanded with 220 or 320 by hand before finishing.
 
#7 ·
in the shop there is three different units a small 12inch delta, used for quick small clean ups, the 735 that since getting the griz 15inch doens't get much use. the delta with decently sharp blades does a lot of small things, but when the job is a gaggle of pcs, big boy is fired up, quieter than the small ones, and does one heckuva job, does not have the spiral cutters, but soon, it may have
that has been my experience with planners, any planner IMO, with sharp blades will get it done, patience and learning the most efficient feed rate and depth is the winner of the day

rj in az
 
#8 ·
I have a DW734 and it's been very robust, I bought one new for $300 a long time ago then decided I didn't need it and returned it. I immediately regretted that when the price jumped to $350 and found myself needing a planer again. I ended up buying a used one that had less than 10 minutes run time for $200, about 10 years ago now. It does an admirable job plowing off stock and leaving a nice finish provided the blades are sharp, dull ones slow the machine signficantly. Blades are available from DeWalt and the aftermarket with varying degrees of quality and a Byrd (others too) helical cutterhead are available in the $400 range. Dust collection is good with a proper dust collector and the factory dust chute.

I have sort of outgrown it as I now have a sawmill so I bought a 5hp, 18" Rockwell planer to handle the bigger stuff but the DW734 still has its place.

FWIW, my unlce has the DW735 and has installed a Byrd cutterhead. The dust collection is also good, snipe could be easier to avoid (if I didn't know how to setup my 734) and it has the same power (same motor) but adds 1/2" of cutting width. The Byrd does a great job of noise reduction and avoiding tearout on highly figured grain, the carbide inserts should last 10-20 times longer than factory HSS knives before they need to be turned to a fresh edge.
 
#11 ·
I would encourage you not to think of a planer as a surfacer, but rather a dimensioner.

I agree your best bet is a lunchbox. Just bear in mind they have limitations.

- Robert
Agreed.

To the OP: If you are using a power sander to take off lots of material, I can believe you are getting very tired of the experience.

Planers are great for taking stock to the desired thickness, but there will still be final sanding involved. There are a number of ways to do that, but that wasn't really your question.

I agree with the others above regarding the DeWalt line of planers. I have a 20 year old Delta 12.5" benchtop; I don't recommend any of the new Delta equipment these days. When my Delta fails, it will be replaced with a DeWalt benchtop (likely the 735) or a larger Powermatic 15" planer.

If you'd like to understand the difference between the DeWalt planer models, a Google search of "DeWalt 734 versus 735" will bring up some informative information.
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi All,

Prefer used as I am unsure how much use in the long run (why spend the money). Appreciate feedback on brands, models, and what to look for when buying a planer. Especially a used one.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

- oach
Hi oach:
I was lucky enough to get a used Delta planer for $75 and I am pleased wit it. It had knives with 2 sides - I just had to rotate them to get a fresh set exposed. Before I brought it home, the seller demonstrated it's use for me so I knew it ran OK. I was able to download a user manual and went through the maintenance section which was pretty easy.

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regards, Kerry
 

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#14 ·
My first post! Here goes, have you considered building an easy to build sander? Youtube has many examples.
Never even heard of that. I will have to look that up. Is searching "easy to build sander" enough?

I would encourage you not to think of a planer as a surfacer, but rather a dimensioner.
That is exactly what I need to do: dimension the wood. I do realize I still have to sand.
 
#16 ·
When it comes to used/new. Am I better off getting new since I know the cutters are sharp?

- oach
Sometimes it is not possible to run some boards though before buying and sometimes it is. I just assume the blades need replacement on any tool I buy used and figure that into my total cost. Who puts sharp blades on a tool they are selling? I also factor in that some people will dump a tool with a problem off on the buyer. So as I get close to the cost of new when allowing for those possible scenario's I opt for new. There are a lot of things the can get of of whack in a planner that are hard to get back in calibration. I also saw so few hit the market I guess I gave up.
 
#17 ·
I have the same Delta 560. Works fine for my needs but I have always lusted over the Dewalt. Being that I rarely ever use it (I'll resaw the board and run it through my drum sander if under 2' or so in length), I'm ok with what I have.

Maybe without the DS I'd be more inclined to upgrade for the incremental increase in board surface quality, but in general most all the "lunchbox" style planers adequately do their primary job and you can often find great deals price wise on used models. If your goal is to have a planer that is essentially the last step in your surface prep, then pursuing the Dewalt and considering the helical cutter upgrade certainly are worth the extra cash.
 
#18 · (Edited by Moderator)
Before you get too excited about diy, drum or other sanders, they have lower material removal rates vs a planer. They are more for removing tool marks and fine dimensioning, not dimensioning a piece of rough cut lumber - that's what a planer - machine or hand - is for for.

Even the "throw away" type planer blades, like those on the dw735, can be resharpened with a pretty simple shop made fixture and sandpaper on glass. Can remove small nicks and hone up the edge. I have sharpened mine several times.

As for new or used, anything - car, machine, wife (did I really say that) - depends on age/shape/cost and your ability to deal with known and unknown problems. Used is always a bit of a gamble, depends on your ability to assess prior to purchase.
 
#19 ·
Thank you all for your input.

When it comes to used/new. Am I better off getting new since I know the cutters are sharp?

- oach
Used is a safe bet if you're able to inspect the machine thoroughly before buying, the problem right now is used price is too close to new price in many instances. If you're able to buy a slightly used machine for 40-70% the cost of new, by all means go for it. The $40-50 for a new set of blades should not be a road block on $350 used machine that would otherwise be $550 (+tax) new.
 
#21 ·
I would suggest a lunch box planer…but check to see if you can upgrade it with a helical head in the future. I can't recommend enough this helical heads. I've been using 1 side for close to 4 years now…and I still have 3 more sides left.
 
#22 ·
I have a DW734 and it s been very robust, I bought one new for $300 a long time ago then decided I didn t need it and returned it. I immediately regretted that when the price jumped to $350 and found myself needing a planer again. I ended up buying a used one that had less than 10 minutes run time for $200, about 10 years ago now. It does an admirable job plowing off stock and leaving a nice finish provided the blades are sharp, dull ones slow the machine signficantly. Blades are available from DeWalt and the aftermarket with varying degrees of quality and a Byrd (others too) helical cutterhead are available in the $400 range. Dust collection is good with a proper dust collector and the factory dust chute.

I have sort of outgrown it as I now have a sawmill so I bought a 5hp, 18" Rockwell planer to handle the bigger stuff but the DW734 still has its place.

FWIW, my unlce has the DW735 and has installed a Byrd cutterhead. The dust collection is also good, snipe could be easier to avoid (if I didn t know how to setup my 734) and it has the same power (same motor) but adds 1/2" of cutting width. The Byrd does a great job of noise reduction and avoiding tearout on highly figured grain, the carbide inserts should last 10-20 times longer than factory HSS knives before they need to be turned to a fresh edge.

- bigblockyeti
You aren't kidding about those carbide inserts. I'm still using one side on my jointer, and it has been more than 12 years. Granted, a few of those years I moved and it took me forever to set up my new shop, but I'm still avoiding the work of flipping the square. I bought a byrd for my ridgid planer about 4 years ago and still use the one side. And before I get, "Do you buy dimensioned lumber?" No, I get most of my stuff from the sawmill all rough. Smartest thing I ever did was added byrds to both machines.
 
#23 ·
I'm in the same boat as OP. Been following planers a few months. Pedigree of blades is:
1) Spiral
2) Helical
3) Straight

Spiral gives you the best (read this as needs the least sanding) finish. Luxcutheads and Byrd offer spiral upgrades to many existing planers. Problem is stock. Seems like manufacturers are changing to accommodate this and offering a model that already has spiral cutters. I had a jointer with straight blades and it was a royal pain to the point I barely used it. Put it on the curb. When I get a planer, it will have spiral cutters.
 
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