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13" Planers

2K views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  jacquesr 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
At Christmas time I was looking at the Steel City helical planer with the extra set of carbide inserts. The budget didn't allow it at that time but now I am back in the market. Going to the Steel City site I don't see it listed.
In the interim I see that Rikon now has one, but it does not list having the carbide inserts.
What is the current thinking on these machines?
Is the Steel City still available with the carbide inserts and are they available for the Rikon?
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
#7 ·
Well, the search continues. I called Steel City to ask why they discontinued the planer. The answer was vague, but it came down to the quality of the results. They said they are reengineering the cutter head to double the number in each row and make them larger. They expect it to be available in a couple of weeks.
In speaking to Mike at Woodcraft he pointed out that the reason the helical heqd works so well is that it cuts on the skew.
Which leaves the question: are these planers really better for figured hardwood? I have put my decision on hold until I can determine what will be best for the hard maple I love to build with.
 
#8 ·
Are there any lunchboxes that have stock helical (as opposed to segmented) cutterheads? I haven't seen any in my (ongoing) shopping phase. I'm assuming that you'd have to buy your planer of choice and then double the cost with a Byrd head.
 
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