So I finally purchased my jointer off of craigslist. Now all I need to square my stock is a nice planer. Any recommendations on benchtop thickness planers?
I've had a Dewalt 744 for 6 yrs now. several hundred board feet of hard woods and it's still kicking and doing a good job. I like it anyway. You can find lots of reviews on it and other planers here on LJ's.
Has anyone used or heard anything on the ridgid planer? It got mixed reviews. I have mostly ridgid tools and would like to complete the set only if it stands up to the competition.
From what I've seen reviews don't come close to the dewalt or delta. I think in today's market the dewalt is the best choice. I bought my delta prob 8 years ago when fine woodworking mag rated it number 1, but delta has a new version now so I can't comment on it
I love my DeWalt DW734. I've had it for a couple of years now and it's still going strong. The only downside I've found is that it is incredibly loud. But I think that's true for most planers. One of the most used tools in my shop.
I have a Ridgid that I have tortured for over 5 years and it is a winner! That said, several people have said the new model is not a good tool (but HD will take it back if it's a lemon).
I got the Ridgid R4331 a few years back and have no complaints with it.
I think no matter which benchtop planer you get you will be happy if you build this little jig that woodshaver was so nice to share, I know I can tell a difference after touching up the blades.
I picked up a Rigid R4331 for $150 from CL. I put new blades on ($25) and it is working great. I planed down about 50 bdft of oak the other day and it did great.
I am only a woodworker hobbyist. So if you are a professional, everyone seems to agree that the Dewalt 734 or 735 is the way to go. Otherwise I would say the Rigid is a good alternative for less money, espeically if you can find a used one on CL.
I have the Dewalt 735 - - but if I could go back and get a mulligan - I would get a 15 inch Grizzly floor standing unit rather than a benchtop, for the extra couple hundred.
The Dewalt is easy to manage with knife changes and such - but it is REALLY loud,
Would go craigslist 15 inch, then look for a helical head from Byrd as a replacement cutter. You can get a carbide head for the 735 also.
Congrats. You made a good choice.
Lots of happy 734 owners.
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