Thread: Thickness Planer

Need to consider that the De Walt has three blades on its cutter and that really does make a difference in the quality of the final cut. The other models are only two blades. I would go for the Jet if I was you as it is a better made machine that should last a few years and then fit a spiral cutter head to it to really make it perform.

SB

If you only want to buy it once then then it should be a 15 inch wide machine with a helical cutter head. Don't waste you money in buying any of the toy machines you have listed.

Definitely agree with these comments
I think most of these benchtop models are only really for hobby use.

When I first set up my workshop I bought a similar type machine plus benchtop jointer from Carba-tec in Perht,which was ok for starting out but had some major problems.

1.no anti-kickback fingers (a major omission in my opinion)
2.very loud motor
3.rubber infeed/outfeed rollers (pretty useless in my opinion)
4.very poor extractoin of shavings
5.no way of locking the height adjustment so the handle was moving around in use.

You are also really going to need a jointer as well to make full use of the machine.

After a couple of years I sold both this and the jointer and got a combination machine with a spiral head.
Best thing I ever did!

Originally Posted by rod1949

If you only want to buy it once then then it should be a 15 inch wide machine with a helical cutter head. Don't waste you money in buying any of the toy machines you have listed.

Thanks for the feedback.

Originally Posted by rod1949

If you only want to buy it once then then it should be a 15 inch wide machine with a helical cutter head. Don't waste you money in buying any of the toy machines you have listed.

I have only been able to find the 13" Jet JPM-13 CSX around here - but some of the suppliers don't have websites (!) so I will go and check them out over the weekend. Although cost is not the primary concern for me, space is. My workshop is set up in a (long) single car garage that is still used as a garage at night. So smaller, mobile tools are preferred. Which is why I was leaning towards the smaller models.

Originally Posted by mark david

Definitely agree with these comments
I think most of these benchtop models are only really for hobby use.

When I first set up my workshop I bought a similar type machine plus benchtop jointer from Carba-tec in Perht,which was ok for starting out but had some major problems.

1.no anti-kickback fingers (a major omission in my opinion)
2.very loud motor
3.rubber infeed/outfeed rollers (pretty useless in my opinion)
4.very poor extractoin of shavings
5.no way of locking the height adjustment so the handle was moving around in use.

You are also really going to need a jointer as well to make full use of the machine.

After a couple of years I sold both this and the jointer and got a combination machine with a spiral head.
Best thing I ever did!

Thanks for the list of problems you had. I will use that as guidance when going to check out some planers over the weekend.

I decided to go for a planer first for a number of reasons:
1. At the moment, space is at a premium and I can't have all my space dedicated to milling equipment
2. I can use the handplane to remove cup/bow enough to prevent the board from rocking when passed through the planer. Not something I want to do often, but I have hand jointed up till now, but I struggle with getting the final thickness right.
3. I can use jigs/sleds to (face) joint using the planer. From the videos I have watched it looks pretty time consuming, but possible.

If space is your concern, why not look at combination machines, Jet have a couple; JPT260M and JPT310 and JPT310HH. There are probably more on the market as well. Just a thought.

Hi Synapseza,

I have owned and used the Ryobi for several years and have been very happy with it. I'm only a hobbyist and make the occasional bit of furniture.

I often use Aussie hardwoods and the Ryobi has always done the job for me. Mine has the anti kickback fingers. You can only take off about 1 - 1.5mm per pass but that's OK for me. Ive never had any trouble with it.

One thing to consider is that these things are noisy, I mean incredibly loud, even with earmuffs on. When I run mine I don't just worry about the next door neighbour, I worry about the people across the road and down the street!

I agree with the previous post about a combination machine, definitely the ideal solution, but it is a different price bracket.

Good luck with the purchase.
Peter

Originally Posted by Ari2

If space is your concern, why not look at combination machines, Jet have a couple; JPT260M and JPT310 and JPT310HH. There are probably more on the market as well. Just a thought.

Thanks - I can get all three those models here. The 260 goes for around 2600USD and the 310HH for 4300USD. For my occasional use, I think that is a bit too much. I am still going to check them out though

If you want to buy once, don't buy one of those benchtop toys with a universal motor. Get something made out of cast iron with an induction motor, secondhand in that configuration would be a much better investment than buying a new benchtop unit that you've listed.

Originally Posted by 3 toed sloth

Hi Synapseza,

I have owned and used the Ryobi for several years and have been very happy with it. I'm only a hobbyist and make the occasional bit of furniture.

I often use Aussie hardwoods and the Ryobi has always done the job for me. Mine has the anti kickback fingers. You can only take off about 1 - 1.5mm per pass but that's OK for me. Ive never had any trouble with it.

One thing to consider is that these things are noisy, I mean incredibly loud, even with earmuffs on. When I run mine I don't just worry about the next door neighbour, I worry about the people across the road and down the street!

I agree with the previous post about a combination machine, definitely the ideal solution, but it is a different price bracket.

Good luck with the purchase.
Peter

Thanks Peter.

I am going to use it on pine, maple and bubinga (mostly). I took some photos of the Ryobi and it didn't have the anti kickback fingers. I read that the Jet has them, but will check over the weekend.

I like the idea of the combination machine, but they are pretty pricey. Might have to wait a bit before getting one if I decide to go down that route.