Buying a planer

You’ll get the most for your money buying a used 220v
planer.

If you want a combo and need to buy new, look at
the Rikon, a copy of the Swiss INCA machines.

-- http://lawoodworking.com

+1 on looking at used ones, $600 will go a long ways if your patient! If you need new, go with the DW735, not too many complaints from most owners.

I didn’t think any of the combo machines got good reviews. I recall reading that they were all a chore to switch between modes and the beds were a little short for jointing. But if you need a jointer its worth considering.

I’d go with the dewalt. Personally I’m happy with my craftsman lunchbox planer now that it’s tuned up. But the moment it dies I’ll move up to the 735.

The real issue with lower priced combos is chintzy build
quality. The INCA is very well engineered and doesn’t
have that problem, but they must be got used. I use one
as a jointer and the tables are adequate for furniture scale
work and most cabinetmaking.

My main gripe about 110v planers is the high frequency
noise from the universal motors makes me feel bad
about running the tool after dark.

-- http://lawoodworking.com

I had a Delta lunchbox that I was happy with. I gave that to son’in’law and upgraded to the DW735 I really like it and is probably all the planer I need. I would like a bigger one. With $600 look for a used larger planer and if you can’t find or don’t want to wait go with the DW735. It is a good planer.

I don’t think I would go with the combo. most combination machines have a lot of compromises and never seem to do both jobs well.

-- Bruce, Boise, ID

I have a 735 and I haven’t had any complaints about it so far.

helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com

-- If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau

+10 on getting a used 220 machine. I got a 20” jet knock off for 675. My planer before thAt was a folley / bellsaw for 350. There are CL deals if you are patient. Also they are repairable with off the shelf parts.

I did take me two years to find this PM 160, for $600.
Out of a school, they installed the single phase motor and control, but it included the original 3phase motor, along with extra unused blades.
Sort of unusual that a 1959 planer was nearly unused over so much time.

Agree with the votes for 220. I am a fan of Woodmaster and have seen their planer/sander/molder combo machines in that price range from time to time on CL. These are American made, quiet, and high quality.

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

That 160 is exactly what I’ve been looking for, I still have several sets of 16” knives from the one we used to have at the shop I used to work at. Found one with a 3 phase motor in kinda rough shape for $500, by the time I called they raised the price to $1200, no longer a deal at all given the shape it was in. $600 with a single phase motor + the original, those kind of deals don’t come along too often, you did better than good on that!

I like my 735. I’ve had almost 2 years with no problems. Just need to wax the table every once in a while and not be too aggressive on the depth. Rockler has them on sale right now.

Nice plane unbob !
I found a Jointer from a college last year that was replaced with “New” one. Sometimes the schools and colleges just need to spend their budget money.

-- "My mission in life - make everyone smile !"

Some how I got lucky! I just kept missing out on them. I found this just a year ago. Schools in the my area were closing the wood shops over the last several years, the prices were around $800 on average. I was either a day late or a dollar short.

On the knives/blades, the Esta dispoz a blades was installed on the machine, never used. Those are not as easy as claimed to change and get true, but they are working good, got 2 dozen extra of those along with 2sets extra standard knives also unused.

Thank you for your replies, there are also these two that I have been looking at on CL but I’ve heard mixed views about both of them, any advice on those?

http://tricities.craigslist.org/tls/4144691036.html

Looking at his inventory, seller probably knows a lot about
machinery and will be straight with you.

-- http://lawoodworking.com