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My first planer

2K views 9 replies 8 participants last post by  bannerpond1 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm slowly adding tools to my shop and I think the next stop is a planer. I just bought a table saw and a drill press so if I want to buy a planer anytime soon the budget is pretty low (says the wife). There are 2 planers near me on CL, a 12" Delta 22-540 on a mobil base listed for $150 and a 10" Ryobi AP-10 Type 2 listed for $135. From the pictures they both look to be well taken care of. Should I stear clear of either of these? Prices seem fair?
 
#3 ·
I agree with Hero, of the 2 choices Id go with the delta. I normally would stay away from Ryobi, although I have read some great things about their planers, and the drill press I received for xmas a few years ago has done well enough.
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
One of the reasons I opted for my dewalt 735 was for 3 blades, and it performs very well. Im pretty sure that 3 blades will be a smoother finish then 2 in most cases, assuming the blades are sharp. Buying a used machine like a planer, I would budget a set of new blades right into the cost. If the old blades still have an edge, great, but dont count on it despite what the seller may tell you. Also, in either case, make sure youve got dust/chip collection worked out, if youve never used a planer youll be blown away at how much they produce. My setup has a 45 gallon collector, and I could fill that up in a day of planing easily.
 
#6 ·
I have the Delta and I'm happy with it. I seem to nick the blades a lot but I wouldn't want to be with out it. I'm not sure how it compares to the other one though. I agree that you really need dust collection with these, they will bury you in chips and dust if you don't have one.
Mike
 
#7 ·
I have the Ryobi and it has served me well. The feed rollers on mine are starting to go out - they can be replaced for $100 or so. I would think any planer that old might need some fresh rubber by now.

With either planer, try it out and make sure it feeds and cuts well with little or no snipe.

Andrew
 
#9 ·
I would go with the Delta as well. But I promise you would be happier with a DW735. It has a built in chip ejection motor (which negates the need for a dust collector even though I use one with mine). Originally, while I was building my tools up like you, I just bought a separator and put it on a metal trash can. Two pieces of 4" Flexible DC ducting and old bag from a wall mounted DC taped to the outlet of the separator can hose and you got a self contained system for it. Or you could just get a piece of hose and eject it out into a pile (like I first did).
 
#10 ·
bdresch, I burned out two motors on a Delta 12 1/2 inch planer. I was only planning Sugar Pine, and know enough to take thin cuts with 12-inch boards. I will never buy another of those little planers. If all you do is plane face frames or baseboard, it might be fine.

I have found too many times that buying a tool and using price as a major factor in the decision is the wrong way to go. Save and get something that will do everything and will last. That's my advice.
 
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