Delta 12 1/2" Benchtop Planer

[bdad]

I don't need one but I know it's a better price then I paid for the one that I have.

Delta ShopMaster TP305 15 Amp 12-1/2-Inch Benchtop Planer $199.99 w/free shipping

http://tinyurl.com/3xhe9d

[LCHIEN]

Here's a brief history of the Delta thickness planer models.

A few years ago the lower end Delta models were all redesignated as Shopmaster and given new model numbers. The old numbers used 2 digits for the machine type and three digits for the model no.

The new designations use a two letter acronym for the machine type and a new model number that has no relation to the old.
For example the 22-xxx were all thickness planers, now the acronym is TP.
The 37-xxx were all jointer-planers now the acronym is JP

i think the TP305 is the shopmaster line same as the old 22-540
and the TP400 (or TP400LS with leg stand) is the shopmaster equivalent of the old 22-560.

The old 22-560 was a pretty fair machine, the 22-580 (not in the shopmaster line, currently still sold as the 22-580) upped the ante with two speeds but was pretty much the same. The 22-560/TP400 was a major step up from the 22-540/TP305 because it not only had four post cutter head supports but also had cutterhead locks which the 540/305 lack. The cutterhead locks give a much more solid cutterhead positioning and reduce sniping quite effectively. I'd not go with the TP305 for lack of the cutterhead locks.

[tsbrewers]

I had this planer for a while. it is ok planer but it has serious snipe issues. Might be ok if you really can't afford a better one, which I was at the time I bought it. I sold it for just about what I paid and picked up the ridgid one and am happy with it.

I had a 20% coupon I used at lowes when I bought it, for the $160 i think it would be worth it for someone.

Brew

[mikeg]

I got the TP400LS from Amazon last summer for $275 including shipping, a dust collection adaptor, and a spare set of blades. I've been very happy with it so far even though I've only put cedar, pine, basswood and maple through it so far. Snipe hasn't been a problem but then, it has the cutterhead lock.

mikeg

[Boomer_01]

I own this planer

I bought it last spring for $199.00 at Lowes. I have used it on two projects, a walnut blanket chest and a Amish style jelly cabinet. I usually purchase dressed stock from a local hardwoods dealer. I use the planer to take the dressed stock to final thickness.

The snipe issue is a reality on this unit. I usually encounter it 3-4 inches from the exit end of the stock. I try to plan my work so that I am always working on lengths of stock that exceed the final project dimension by enough to drop the snipe end as waste. So far I have been able to do this with proper planning.

The unit is ok for my needs, if I needed a lot of planer work done on rough stock, I would pay my supplier to run it through his industrial planer to about a 16th strong of finished thickness and take the last couple of passes on my machine to ensure consistency.

Since I don’t use the machine for every project but I figured I could justify the relatively small investment for the unit (woodworker’s reasoning). I just couldn't justify $400 plus for my needs.


Boomer

[mowildone]

Boomer,
I use a piece of shelving on my planner table supported and clamped at both ends. I carefully position the supports so the shelving is flat on the table. This really helps to eliminate snipe.

[davidtu]

I have this one, got from HDT for a very good price which I cannot presently recall, but I had very bad snipe problems. I tried adjusting the tables following various recommendations, used a sled too, but ultimately this planer has snipe. I would wait and get the 4 post w/ cutterhead lock.

[Richard]

Does the Ridgid planer have 4 post and head locks?

[tsbrewers]

I actually sold this delta to buy a ridgid. Yes the ridgid has a cutter head lock and is a very nice planer, hard to beat for the money. I was lucky and picked up one of the herc-u-lifts when they were closing them out. So I threw one on the ridgid planer and it works great, very happy with the purchase.

Brew

[davidtu]

One other note: according to FrozenWarrior.com, the 90 day low price for this item is $150, so $199 isn't that great.