Hey Dan!
I would say that if you are "pretty well settled on the Ridgid at HD for $369" then you should go for it. You must have done your homework, and if this planer meets your needs and budget, then pull the trigger. On this site you will get many, many different opinions on this piece of machinery, some from folks who do not even own one and know nothing about it. I know, I have done it before on other posts. LOL. You will probably get a pretty even number of "fors" and "againsts". As long as this pleases you, don't worry about what others may think. Unless of course you have other options to consider, and then a comparison of the features, cost etc. might be in order.
Used lunchbox planer? It would have to be in REALLY good shape and very reasonably priced for me to consider most used tools. I don't like used anythings much. I don't want to buy someone else's problems. Work safely and have fun!
I've used the newer and older Ridgid planers and with my limited experience I did like the newer one much better than the older one. I buy most of my stuff used, a lightweight planer would have to be carefully inspected but should otherwise be a safe buy. D & D (divorce & death) are the two best ways to get good deals on hobby stuff from motorcycles to boats, jetskis and wood working machines/tools. There's always going to be good deal out there, the key is looking frequently and acting quickly when a good deal comes up.
Dan, I don't know if there is one near you, but I picked up a reconditioned R4431 for $239 at a Direct Tools outlet last month. Haven't used it much, but I couldn't pass up the deal.
I had a Rigid 4330 for almost 12 years. The double-sided blades that I often resharpened lasted years with careful sharpening. I bought one of those horrid Delta 23-710 sharpeners, but it did the job for me rather nicely. I still use it for sharpening my Jet jointer blades, but that is about all. I only ever had three sets of blades over the 12 year span on that Rigid. Only thing that ever went wrong with my Rigid was one of the bolts that held down one blade down stripped a bit, but it had enough bolts along the run of the blade that I never threw a blade.
And yes, the bladelock is a nice option. The one thing you will find very handy is the Ind-I-Cut.
And as stated above, without the dust collector, you will spray chips ten feet forward all over everything.
I'd say the $175 I spent for the Delta more than paid for the extra blades I would have had to buy for the Rigid over the years. Now I have a Grizz Spiralhead planer, but I sold the Rigid for $170, and still kept the sharpener.
Overall, from the improvements I hear on the 4331, I'd say definitely go for it.
I bought a refurb Rigid unit and it works well for me. I really need to get some new blades but it still planes fine, just with some stops and starts. Aside from that it makes a nice surface on everything I've run through it, cherry, soft maple, oak, sassafrass, ash, and walnut. Mine came with a dust ejector, basically a dust hood with a blower fan so I just hook up the bag that came with my table saw and the chips stay contained.
You will get way better service - plus the spiral is better
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
LumberJocks Woodworking Forum
2.5M posts
96K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about shop safety, wood, carpentry, lumber, finishing, tools, machinery, woodworking related topics, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!