15" Planers-Ugh!

all machine are going to have their quirks. That is why I like to stick with older used machines I just got an older(80’s I think) 20” planer made by Chang Iron Works (CIW). when the guy gave me the manual he got from CIW the pix in it had jet emblems on it. I gave $675 for it with a static phase converter (yes it’s 3pz). I had to put bearings in the motor ($45), and clean-grease it up and it was good to go. maybe 3 hours of labor.
the way I see it with a used machine most of the bugs are usually worked out and any repairs needed are minimal, and the right price allows for repairs/upgrades. this purchase lead me to building a rotary 3pz converter, because the static just wasn’t enough, even with the added cost of the converter(about 250 for a 10HP model) I am still less then the cost of a new a new 15” planer and have more machine. this also opens the Pandora’s box to heavier/cheaper 3phz machine since I now have the ability to run up a 7.5HP 3pz motor.

Thanks for passing this info along!

I bought 718 woodmaster 3 years ago .Made in usa .I’m very happy with it

-- Bill Byron Center MI

Thanks for the interesting insight. This doesn’t surprise me. You bring up a good point too—before buying it’s always a good idea to talk to someone who repairs them to find out which brands/models fare the best and worst.

I have no problem with older/used tools as long as replacement parts can still be found or made reasonably. Most of my tools I either inherited, our bought used. Shiny doesn’t always equal better.

How much is the Woodmaster? I checked the website…it’s a moulder too. I filled in the quote form.

Woodmaster is a lot of money but worth every penny. We own the 725 and paid 2000.00 for it in like new condition. Came with the upgraded 7.5 hp motor. Excellent buy for us. Definitely recommend the woodmaster. I plan to buy a couple more. I want two 712 units, one for moldings, another for gang ripping. Our 725 does it all and very well but I do prefer machines that stay set up for one task. One reason we have 4 shapers.

-- Jerry Nettrour, San Antonio, www.topqualitycabinets.net

Maybe Oliver Machinery is from the Taiwan factory??? Not sure.

-- Wisconsin Wildcat

Don’t know where you are located but can try machinerymax.com for a good used one.

-- In the end, when your life flashes before your eyes, will you like what you see?

I’ll cast another vote for Woodmaster. It’s American made, high quality, and can serve as a molder, gang rip saw and drum sander as well. I have always wanted a drum sander but couldn’t justify the floor space for something that I would use so infrequently, but the Woodmaster converts over fairly quickly and doesn’t require any additional footprint. The design is quite ingenious.

-- PaulMayer, http://www.vernswoodgoods.com

Any opinions on this?: http://albany.craigslist.org/tls/3545278975.html

My first reaction to that CL ad was” you got to be kidding”. A planer in that condition would not get anywhere near $800 of my money. That said, it wouldn’t be a bad planer once cleaned up, assuming it runs. I would think one in turnkey condition, and well maintained would bring maybe $600. Of course, prices vary widely across the nation, but that’s the way I’d see it.

-- I long for the days when Coke was a cola, and a joint was a bad place to be (Merle Haggard)

I agree with fred, he’s going to sit on it at that price. he should be some where around 500-600 in clean condition. I just sold my 5HP 912 folley & bellsaw for $400. I was kind of surprised to get it, but it was very clean and ready to go. the thing that gets me with name brand tool is the amazing similarity to the knock offs.
I saw this one and was going to offer him 200 in this shape. you know it a lot like the jet. http://southbend.craigslist.org/tls/3624435680.html
happy hunting

”He said if I could find one made in Taiwan, jump on it.”
”He (and I) do not know of any 15” planers being produced in Taiwan currently.”

So ”He” is recommending something that may not even exist and is of unknown quality , but will be better than the ones made in China…... Strange , very strange.

”15” planers coming out of China (Powermatic, Jet, Grizzly, General, etc) have tons of issues, some not fixable at all.” Did he give you any real examples of the un-fixable issues ?

-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.

I had that same Jet model and would buy another in a heart beat if I could find one (at a reasonable price, which that one isn’t). It is a solid planer and I ran a considerable amount of lumber through it. In good condition the planer is worth $500-600.

-- Friends don't let friends use right tilt contractor saws......

15” planers coming out of China (Powermatic, Jet, Grizzly, General, etc) have tons of issues, some not fixable at all.” Did he give you any real examples of the un-fixable issues ?

One example that stood out for me was 3 powermatics he went on service calls for. I’m not admittedly familiar with the construction of these, but the areas surrounding the cutterhead were mis-cast when in production. He had other examples as well (motor issues, etc.), but the problems started all at the same time and the consistent factor is country of origin.

He recommended going with an older used model. I’m not sure why I should cast suspicion on him as he could have easily sold me a brand-new Chinese-made planer. I think he was being brutally honest with me at the expense of a sale. I think he doesn’t want to come out for a service call when there is an issue. Obviously, it’s happened enough recently for him that he doesn’t want to waste his time. This leads me to wonder about the future of cast-iron stationary machines and being able to get them at the hobbyist level. The industrial machines will be around for awhile I think. Lucky for him, the Festool stuff is selling like crazy and he can’t keep enough in stock.