Planer Purchase?

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Seer

Seer

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Jan 3, 2009
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Surprise, Arizona
I am hoping to get a planer soon and this is my choice.
1. Ryobi AP1301 $229.00
2. Rigid R4330 $369.00
3. Dewalt DW734 $349.00 my pick
Also I get a veterans discount off these prices so that helps alot.
All have some good user reviews but the dewalt is the best I think. I am just looking for some suggestions and your comments.
Jerry
 
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I Have a DeWalt and like it.

Suggestion...get the biggest width capacity you can afford.


Seer said:
I am hoping to get a planer soon and this is my choice.
1. Ryobi AP1301 $229.00
2. Rigid R4330 $369.00
3. Dewalt DW734 $349.00 my pick
Also I get a veterans discount off these prices so that helps alot.
All have some good user reviews but the dewalt is the best I think. I am just looking for some suggestions and your comments.
Jerry
Click to expand...
 
Dewalt is 12.5 inches and the others are 13 inches. Is 1/2 inch a big deal never owned one is why I am asking.
Thanks for your comments
Jerry
 
I dont have one but I have looked around. I would go with the Ridgid. Life time warranty. That is why I bought the ridgid drill press.
 
in most cases the 1/2" does not mean a thing. but if you plan to make furniture it could be helpful but i doubt it. i have had a ryobi AP10 for 25 years and it has done everything that i needed it to do.
 
I have had the ridgid planer and I can say that extra 1/2" does actually come in handy when you have rough cut lumber or large boards. when you plane smaller boards just remember to move the feed location so your blades get warn evenly. I purchase allot of Ridgid products and they are all standing up well.
 
Have you checked on a grizzly, I had a 16 inch one and it was a nice one. I opened my mouth and priced it to a guy and he bought it, wish I had it back now.
 
I have a Delta and it has been a good one. Of the three you listed I's probably go with the Dewalt, however, Rigid has a great warranty. What I have found though, since I bought a jointer, I rarely use the planner anymore. Fact I have considered selling it, but I keep thinking it isn't costing me anything to have it sit there and it is available if I need it.
 
I just got the Ryobi. It's a good little machine. But you will have to make some kind of table for the feed and out feed to reduce snipe (I think thats what they call it).
 
I would look really closely at that dewalt and do some indepth research on the specific model you are getting. I've heard that the quality on the new dewalt stuff (made by black and decker for quite some time now) is not what it was back when they first took over the name.

I have a ridgid, used intermittently for 5 years now and never a problem, but if it does glitch out, it's under warranty.
 
Although a 1/2" can make a difference, in reality you should not use solid boards wider than 4" for furniture or any other type of panel project, so if a board is too wide, simply rip it in half...which will be easier on your planer anyhow. I had a Dewalt for years, and it was a good machine. Eventually it seized up on the bottom and I ended up breaking off the crank handle, but that whole situation could be attributed as my own fault for not bothering to remove the bottom of the machine and clean out the dust. There is a threaded rod and some gears under the table that will eventually get clocked up and should be lubed as well.
 
PaulDoug said:
I have a Delta and it has been a good one. Of the three you listed I's probably go with the Dewalt, however, Rigid has a great warranty. What I have found though, since I bought a jointer, I rarely use the planner anymore. Fact I have considered selling it, but I keep thinking it isn't costing me anything to have it sit there and it is available if I need it.
Click to expand...

Actually a planer and a jointer perform two entirely different operations and to effectively prepare the wood should be used together. The jointer will flatten the workpiece giving you a face that will then ride on the planer bed. The planers operation is to make the two sides parallel. If you run a piece of wood through the planer that curves from end to end, it will reduce it's thickness but it will remain curved.

Jeff, I understand what you are saying about ripping the wood to smaller widths but I have to say that is a bit of a blanket statement. Other factors have to be considered such as what cut of the log the piece is ... such as quartersawn, which will be very stable to great widths.

All I can add as far as brand specific is ... at one time Dewalt was making a 2 speed model .. ??? They also had some nice features in the way of returning to a set depth. I don't know which model etc.
As for the 1/2" difference .... If that IS an issue, where will you draw the line ??? Moving up to 15" or 24" = $$$
All the little planers work pretty well considering!
Another thing to consider is how easy it is (and the cost of) replacing the blades. Most come double sided I think? Usually they are as easy as un-bolting, flipping and re-bolting. Much easier then having to set each knife with a gauge.
I think you'll be happy with whatever one you pick! :smile:
 
I have the De Walt 735, awesome machine. I have a lot of boards that are 8-12" W and only have a 6" jointer. If they are not to far out of line you can get them to flat on both sides buy flipping side for side with each pass.
 
"Thicknesser" as the folks from Downunder call it. I had the AP12 for years and literally wore it out. Can safely say it had thousands of liniar ft. of wood go thru it. Biggest part was 2x6 x 14-16 ft. T&G. Replaced it with a Ridgid, mainly because of the bigger infeed/outfeed tables. Weight is also a big factor being I have to move mine between 2 different shops. The new TP 13 looks a lot cheaper than the 12, but may still do just as good a job. The Ridgid is a fantastic tool. Another factor that had me consider the Ridgid is I've got the Ridgid 14"" Bandsaw & it is a very accurate saw.
 
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