I've been reading, and reading, and reading (and lurking). I'm looking for a lunchbox planer. It sounds like a lot of folks here will vouch for the Dewalt 73x planers (based on the other forums on the LJ site I've seen). But it's harder to find information on the other units I'm considering:
- Makita 2012NB (~$550) or Dewalt DW73x (~$400-550) - these are tied and are the two that I'm primarily looking at.
Other contenders:
- Grizzly G0505 (~$350) - price point is good. . longevity? Quality?
- Steel City 40300HC (~$550) - it comes with the helical-style head and a lot of free grease.
One reviewer on Amazon has the Makita and has had it for well over 6 years; it is generally well reviewed.
I've found a few reviews on the Grizzly, the one here on LJ seems to be positive, but there aren't many of them around.
The Steel City 40300HC seems to have mostly good reviews (once you get past the grease) but they are more mixed than the Makita and Dewalt.
I may be able to pickup the Grizzly locally (I live about 2 hours south of the Bellingham, WA showroom) and save the ~50 on shipping. If I can do in-store pickup on any of the other brands, that would be ideal.
Aside from the Dewalt (which I'm sure there will be a lot of positive responses for), what is your hands-on experience with the Makita, Grizzly, or Steel City? Should I even consider the Grizzly or Steel City? Are there other quality brands out there?
- Additional information -
My Use?
Hobby use. I do a couple projects a year, so I would consider my use light-medium. I'd be surprised if I put 200 LF of hardwood though this in a year.
Budget?
300-600, any more and I don't think I could justify it for hobby use.
Space?
HA! I have a small shed to store my tools in, and a carport to do woodworking, so everything has to be mobile.
Why not a floorstanding unit?
No space. I need to store this in a rather long and narrow "shed" that already holds my Tablesaw, RAS, and 4" jointer. Although a workshop would be ideal, that may not happen for another 2-3 years.
I considered all three units that are under 1300, but there are too many mixed reviews to make a confident purchasing decision. Jet makes a 10" combo unit that I could order though a local store and return it locally, but I'd rather not hassle with it given the mostly negative reviews.
Complementary Jointer:
4 3/8" Craftsman 1960's jointer and I found a set of knives for it! I need to make a new fence for it though.
Thanks!
- Makita 2012NB (~$550) or Dewalt DW73x (~$400-550) - these are tied and are the two that I'm primarily looking at.
Other contenders:
- Grizzly G0505 (~$350) - price point is good. . longevity? Quality?
- Steel City 40300HC (~$550) - it comes with the helical-style head and a lot of free grease.
One reviewer on Amazon has the Makita and has had it for well over 6 years; it is generally well reviewed.
I've found a few reviews on the Grizzly, the one here on LJ seems to be positive, but there aren't many of them around.
The Steel City 40300HC seems to have mostly good reviews (once you get past the grease) but they are more mixed than the Makita and Dewalt.
I may be able to pickup the Grizzly locally (I live about 2 hours south of the Bellingham, WA showroom) and save the ~50 on shipping. If I can do in-store pickup on any of the other brands, that would be ideal.
Aside from the Dewalt (which I'm sure there will be a lot of positive responses for), what is your hands-on experience with the Makita, Grizzly, or Steel City? Should I even consider the Grizzly or Steel City? Are there other quality brands out there?
- Additional information -
My Use?
Hobby use. I do a couple projects a year, so I would consider my use light-medium. I'd be surprised if I put 200 LF of hardwood though this in a year.
Budget?
300-600, any more and I don't think I could justify it for hobby use.
Space?
HA! I have a small shed to store my tools in, and a carport to do woodworking, so everything has to be mobile.
Why not a floorstanding unit?
No space. I need to store this in a rather long and narrow "shed" that already holds my Tablesaw, RAS, and 4" jointer. Although a workshop would be ideal, that may not happen for another 2-3 years.
I considered all three units that are under 1300, but there are too many mixed reviews to make a confident purchasing decision. Jet makes a 10" combo unit that I could order though a local store and return it locally, but I'd rather not hassle with it given the mostly negative reviews.
Complementary Jointer:
4 3/8" Craftsman 1960's jointer and I found a set of knives for it! I need to make a new fence for it though.
Thanks!