Tom Fitzpatrick
Active Member
My neighbour is looking for a portable planer in the 12" - 13" size. I told him I'd check with the group. Thanks.
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Looking for a 12"-13" portable planer.
- Thread starter Tom Fitzpatrick
- Start date
trlvn
Ultra Member
Food for thought...
"Lunchbox planers" have to be made with pretty light-weight parts. Otherwise they'd be stationary. It is awfully easy to overload them. I would only buy a used one if I knew the seller and was confident that the machine had been treated well. Failing that, I think this is a case where it is worthwhile buying a new machine with a warranty. Maybe I'm just paranoid because I had a Ryobi 10 self-destruct after what I thought was light use.
Craig
"Lunchbox planers" have to be made with pretty light-weight parts. Otherwise they'd be stationary. It is awfully easy to overload them. I would only buy a used one if I knew the seller and was confident that the machine had been treated well. Failing that, I think this is a case where it is worthwhile buying a new machine with a warranty. Maybe I'm just paranoid because I had a Ryobi 10 self-destruct after what I thought was light use.
Craig
I have an old Ryobi AP1201 which got Wood magazine best buy award due to its Mach 4 planer head speed. Also sounds like it going Mach 4...
If I were buying a portable planer today it would be the Dewalt DW735. It gets rave reviews from pretty serious wood workers.
@francist is that the model you have at work?
If I were buying a portable planer today it would be the Dewalt DW735. It gets rave reviews from pretty serious wood workers.
@francist is that the model you have at work?
calgaryguy
Chris
The DW735 are very solid units and can be found used for $450-600 bucks.
20 year old delta shopmaster (12.5”) in my shop. Ate one belt and a few sets of blades.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
calgaryguy
Chris
That 12.5 is also a sturdy unit. I know a guy who makes kitchens and swears by his.
Tom Fitzpatrick
Active Member
Thank you the tips, very worthwhile.
My 12.5 Dewalt has been a steadfast performer in my shop for years. This summer I did a major overhaul as the rollers were skipping While pulling stock in. Installed all new bearings, new belt, a new belt plus allen head bolt so taking out bearings in the future is MUCH easier than the poorly designed phillips machine screws which strip just looking at them. Runs like new now.
Tom Kitta
Ultra Member
Got this used for 350 for my dad few years ago (picture from the net). Not super portable but it does the job very well and quickly. Dad pushed whole fence through this one day - both sides. We got like 5 leaf plastic bags full of shavings. Main problem with DW735 and similar units is its universal motor which will simply overheat and throw a breaker, not to mention they are very noisy. No issues with above Delta as far as working hard or being overly nosy. I have re-sharpened two sets of blades for it on my surface grinder.
francist
Super User
Yes, that’s it. I bought it partly for the capacity and partly for the fact it was supposed to be the quietest machine on the market at that time. I think it was only one or two years out when I got it. We still had our shop in the public building at that time, so I wanted to keep the noise low if I could. It also has a very effective dust collection system, believe it or not. Most of those bag systems are pretty useless but this one really surprised us. We could run it with my laptop 8’ away and no problem.
My home planer is a Delta much like Kevin’s although mine is some “anniversary model” which probably means it got a special sticker. No complaints with that one either though after easily 25 years. Slightly smaller footprint than the Dewalt but overall I think the Dewalt is a better machine.
-frank
gosh this is painful trying to post sometimes, don’t know if it’s my connection or what but just tragically slow at times. Grr.
Brent H
Ultra Member
Don't think I could survive with a "portable planer" I have a Delta 12" planer that is years before @kevin.decelles Delta that takes solid blades. I machined the backer plates so that it could take full 1/8" solid carbide blades. I upgraded to a 16" planer 20 years ago and now use that exclusively with a 24" dual drum sander for finishing. Unless you are getting skip planed rough lumber or just doing odd projects I am not sure a portable planer is worth the cost. I can go through 20 + x 45 gallon drums of saw dust in one go of a kitchen build if it is solid wood doors. The older Delta is some loud when planning and dust collection was not the best.
I am not sure on the Dewalt with the "disposable" blades. Some guys upgrade to the helical toothed carbide Silex cutter heads but that adds about $600 to a $800 planer - might as well make the jump to a larger planer that will go all day without complaint. I guess it depends on your needs.....
I am not sure on the Dewalt with the "disposable" blades. Some guys upgrade to the helical toothed carbide Silex cutter heads but that adds about $600 to a $800 planer - might as well make the jump to a larger planer that will go all day without complaint. I guess it depends on your needs.....
calgaryguy
Chris
Ive seen the DW735 in production shops in with no complaints. I personally have a Felder Hammer A3-31 Jointer/Planer combo unit.
Tom Fitzpatrick
Active Member
Very helpful, Thank you. Did you need to change out the motor eventually?
I've had my DW735 for over ten years with no issues. I trimmed my entire house (inside and outside) using boards up to 20', 2x6s on edge six wide at a time and other homeowner abuses. Is it noisy???? it's a planer of course it's noisy and if you add in the dust sucker it gets really noisy lol. The longest continuous run has been about 1.5 hours pushing thru 1x6x16' pine again with no issues. I put mine on a cart since it's closing in on 100lbs. Blades are easy to change, it comes with the allen wrench so you don't have to hunt for a wrench.
I don't think I'll ever wear this one out but if I had to replace it I'd buy the same.
My $.02
I don't think I'll ever wear this one out but if I had to replace it I'd buy the same.
My $.02
Tom Kitta
Ultra Member
I sold the portable on auction with dull blades & got the Delta. No motor change needed in either.
You can change the 2hp to 3hp motor if you want more power.
There is a reason one tool costs 4x as much as the other new - I think we are discussing here a bit a difference between BP mill and a desktop mill - most projects can be done with patients on a desktop - on BP it is just so much easier - it is hard to say what you are missing from a desktop mill until you switch from it to a BP.
calgaryguy
Chris
Tom, I have to disagree. The DW735 is held in high regard for its durability. Other lunchbox planers I dont have any experience with. I'm happy with my Hammer A3-31 J/P combo, but am wishing I had a helical head in it.
Further, the 2HP motor in that 4 post 15" planer you pictured above is plenty of power unless you are roughing 3/16" passes.
Further, the 2HP motor in that 4 post 15" planer you pictured above is plenty of power unless you are roughing 3/16" passes.