Any Delta TP400LS owners out there?

[lcm1947]

It looks like this may be the planer I pick but was wanting to get any information from owners. Anybody own one?

[JSCOOK]

Yup ... looking for general feedback or something specific?

Decent basic general purpose planner ... has a cutter head lock (must have IMO) ... virtually zero snipe WHEN properly set up and adjusted ... beautiful finish with sharp knives (Amazon knives $20ish) ... dust collector hood is NOT included and definitely a must have (Amazon $14) ... planes Walnut, Oak, Maple without any issues when taking off no more than recommended ... very LOUD thought and hearing protection is a must when running.

Will be soon adding the Wixey Digital Planner Gauge as reading the thickness is a real pain at times when adjusting ...

Was looking at either a Dewalt or Ridgid ... but snagged this unit on year end clearance for $199 CDN (Reg $369 CDN) ... otherwise I would probably have gotten the Ridgid.

[Knottscott]

I had the 22-560, which was a predecessor. It was a solid performer with no issues.

http://www.epinions.com/content_55772089988

[lcm1947]

Well it sounds like a pretty decent machine overall but lacking in depth gauge. That's a shame but the price looks about right. Thanks for the replies and that link Dustmight.

[phrog]

Have the Predecessor

I, too, have 22-560, the predecessor of this planer and mine has performed very well while planing oak, walnut, maple, etc. Would buy again.
Richard

[JSCOOK]

Well it sounds like a pretty decent machine overall but lacking in depth gauge.

Don't get me wrong, the depth/thickness gauge is there and functional on the TP400LS (the predecessor was apparently missing one) ... the gauge on the TP400LS is similar to other TP in it's class generally speaking ... but me being 6'-2" I find it a pain to accurately read at times ... a minor issue at best, just something that bugs me ... I'm actually looking at build a custom stand so the planner actually sits up higher than the factory stand with storage underneath ... the Wixey gauges is just more repeatably accurate and easier to read ... and addictive once you have one, you want the others.

[LCHIEN]

Don't get me wrong, the depth/thickness gauge is there and functional on the TP400LS (the predecessor was apparently missing one) ... the gauge on the TP400LS is similar to other TP in it's class generally speaking ... but me being 6'-2" I find it a pain to accurately read at times ... a minor issue at best, just something that bugs me ... I'm actually looking at build a custom stand so the planner actually sits up higher than the factory stand with storage underneath ... the Wixey gauges is just more repeatably accurate and easier to read ... and addictive once you have one, you want the others.

I have the 22-560 predecessor to the TP400LS, same machine different name + a stand.

First, yes, the dust hood is almost a must have. Otherwise the chips get thrown all over some end up on the infeed side and the rollers press them into the top side of the wood leaving dents -- ugh!

I think the gauge on the TP400LS is about like all the other gauges. The real problem is, the height adjustment is 3/32" per turn, an inconvenient value. I always used this chart on the side of mine:


The chart has turns in 1/8ths of a turn, that's convenient and easy to dial in. It also has the corresponding height change in fractions of 1/64th which is not really useful but a good relationship and the height change in thousands of an inch, great with a set of calipers.
I measure the wood, determine the difference and can dial in very accurately the amount - the chart gives pretty much the range from zero to max depth of cut (see the bottom chart) and you can easily get to within about .012, quite reliably. Then I nudge the crank less than 1/8th turn to trim down to about the final .005 if I'm that picky.

For example I want the final board to be .500 and its now planed to .528 according to my calipers. I need to knock off .028. I see on the chart its 3/8 is .035 (too much) and 2/8 or 1/4 turn is .023 (too little). So I turn the crank 1/4 turn, plus just a hair less than 1/8 turn and it will be pretty much spot on.

I have the Excel spreadsheet for this if anyone want to print from that or modify it for use with some other planer.

I love gadgets but I don't see a need for the Wixey TP gauge when I use the above technique... I never actually read the gauge on the planer, just use my calipers on the wood itself and figure the difference.

[Ken Massingale]

I've had the 22-560 for several years and since I only use rough lumber, it has planed every piece of stock I have used. It's one of 2 power tools in the shop that I've never called real bad names, the TS3650 is the other tool.
I'd buy it again without hesitation. I used it for a couple of years without the hood, not something I'd suggest. I have it mounted on the Ridgid MSUV now and use it in the shop connected to the HF DC. Running many bd./ft. thru it leaves only a handful of chips to clean up. Periodic lubing of the chain is essential.

[lcm1947]

Thanks again for the replies. It is really sounding better and better. Wonder why anybody would buy the Ridgid then over this one.

[JSCOOK]

Wonder why anybody would buy the Ridgid then over this one.

IMO ... Before I bought mine on a heavy discounted sale, the normal selling prices of the TP400LS and the Ridgid TP1300LS gap was rather close, so the Ridgid was attractive due to reputation and lifetime warranty ... YMMV

[lcm1947]

So the dust control is poor. As it is now without the dust hood there is no dust control meaning you can't hook up a DC hose to it?

[JSCOOK]

So the dust control is poor. As it is now without the dust hood there is no dust control meaning you can't hook up a DC hose to it?

Without the additional dust collector chute the chip or dust control is non existant ... the chips/dust just spew out the back of the unit ... the optional dust collector hood replaces the chip chute and allows a DC to be attached ...

Amazon Delta Dust Collector Hood

[JSCOOK]

I love gadgets but I don't see a need for the Wixey TP gauge when I use the above technique... I never actually read the gauge on the planer, just use my calipers on the wood itself and figure the difference.

The key point I stated was repeatability as in being able to go back and plane another board the same even after the height has been changed ... everyone has their preferences, but IMO that's too much fooling around to get the correct measurement ... from my understanding is that once the Wixey gauge has been properly calibrated for height, simply plane away until the desired thickness is reached ... and besides, unless I chained the calipers to the TP, I'd spend more time looking for them in the shop

[lcm1947]

Oh OK. I didn't realize that you couldn't even hook up a DC without the dust hood. OK, so the hood is a must have item. Good to know. Thanks for the reply and the picture.