We're shopping for a new 20" helical cutterhead planer. I've done some research and this is what I've come up with.
I liked the Laguna because it had the digital readout and the 6 row ShearTec 2 Cutter head with 138 cutters. I did read some poor reviews on Laguna CS. Also, I was hoping to get one shipped within a few weeks and they are into September on shipping this planer. The price on this planer was $4000 + $75 shipping.
There is a Jet with 92 cutters for less money ($3450 and free shipping) and one thing it mentions is 3 sets of steel infeed and outfeed rollers "to help prevent annoying snipe." Does anyone have experience with this machine?
We've also looked at the Shopfox W1754S and with 20% off right now can acquire for $2524 but not sure what the shipping will be. It shows 98 cutter heads and just says they are German spiral carbides. Are those not as good as the helical ones?
The Steelex ST1014 has 100 insert cutter heads and with 10% off can get this for $2655 but probably would have to pay some shipping on this one also. It only has 4800 RPM compared to some of the others with 5000 RPM. Would that really make any difference?
We've looked at two of the Grizzly planers. The G1033X for $3395 plus $199 freight is the bigger of the two and one thing we don't like is that it is not mobile. It shows 96 cutters and also says "the motor and cutterhead have ball bearings which are shielded & lubricated for life." Is this a big deal?
The other Grizzly planer is the G0454Z for $2395 + Freight of $199. The speed on it is 4800 RPM and has 98 cutters. The feed rollers are rubber coated. Is that better? I think this one is on wheels which we like.
And the last one we reviewed is the Powermatic 209HH. It has the Byrd Shelix cutterhead with 100 cutters. It also has four speeds but we didn't think much of that. The price is $4380 plus free shipping. I think maybe we can get a 5% discount at one of the sites.
So please feel free to comment and if you think of other things to consider, we'd appreciate comments.
I liked the Laguna because it had the digital readout and the 6 row ShearTec 2 Cutter head with 138 cutters. I did read some poor reviews on Laguna CS. Also, I was hoping to get one shipped within a few weeks and they are into September on shipping this planer. The price on this planer was $4000 + $75 shipping.
There is a Jet with 92 cutters for less money ($3450 and free shipping) and one thing it mentions is 3 sets of steel infeed and outfeed rollers "to help prevent annoying snipe." Does anyone have experience with this machine?
We've also looked at the Shopfox W1754S and with 20% off right now can acquire for $2524 but not sure what the shipping will be. It shows 98 cutter heads and just says they are German spiral carbides. Are those not as good as the helical ones?
The Steelex ST1014 has 100 insert cutter heads and with 10% off can get this for $2655 but probably would have to pay some shipping on this one also. It only has 4800 RPM compared to some of the others with 5000 RPM. Would that really make any difference?
We've looked at two of the Grizzly planers. The G1033X for $3395 plus $199 freight is the bigger of the two and one thing we don't like is that it is not mobile. It shows 96 cutters and also says "the motor and cutterhead have ball bearings which are shielded & lubricated for life." Is this a big deal?
The other Grizzly planer is the G0454Z for $2395 + Freight of $199. The speed on it is 4800 RPM and has 98 cutters. The feed rollers are rubber coated. Is that better? I think this one is on wheels which we like.
And the last one we reviewed is the Powermatic 209HH. It has the Byrd Shelix cutterhead with 100 cutters. It also has four speeds but we didn't think much of that. The price is $4380 plus free shipping. I think maybe we can get a 5% discount at one of the sites.
So please feel free to comment and if you think of other things to consider, we'd appreciate comments.