heavy duty vs portable planer

[eddy merckx]

OK. I'm ready to replace my Grizzly "Snipe-Master" portable planer. Now I have a dilemma. Should I get a nicer portable (I actually got one of the new Ridgid portables but haven't taken it out of the box) or should I get a used heavy duty planer? I located a 2hp 15" planer for around $450 on Craigslist. The heavy duty planer is obviously going to last longer but I understand that blade set up is finicky. It also has a decent sized footprint.

I freely admit that I haven't used a heavy duty planer or even seen one operate. I looked at one at the local store last week and was amazed at how beefy they are.

So what do you all think? I would love some sage advice from anyone who's used both. I certainly don't want to acquire an albatross if there's not a big benefit. On the other hand, I like the idea of a machine that won't have to be replaced in a few years.

Thanks!

Eddy

[gsmittle]

I own the Rigid planer and I'm very satisfied with it. Of course, it's my only planer experience, so I don't know how it compares with the SnipeMaster.

It seems beefy enough for a hobbyist. One thing I really like is the preset thickness slider on the right side as you're looking at the infeed. I use the preset above the final thickness I want (1" for 3/4", e.g.) and then shave off a little at a time until I get the thickness I want.

I didn't have any problems with snipe at first, but after I "adjusted" the infeed & outfeed tables, I got a little snipe if I wasn't careful. Shoulda left it alone.

Of course, if you can get the Big Boy planer for about the same price, it may be a better deal....

g.

[JR]

I have a Ridgid planer, too. It works just fine. But it not portable in any practical sense. It's reasonably luggable, with built-in handles located at the top of both sides. But it's heavy enough that lifting onto a 30" counter requires a fairly intense clean and jerk.

So, if the "portability" of the Ridgid in any way contributed to your purchse, you might rethink.

JR

[maxparot]

Chalk up another with the Ridgid!

[Tom Slick]

My ridgid planer handles all of my home workshop stuff as well as any other. if you just use it occasionally it will work just fine.

[eddy merckx]

Thanks guys. I've read a lot of good things about the Ridgid. The newest model doesn't require a cutterhead lock and is a great price. Wish it wasn't orange though.

Was really wondering about people's experience with the heavy duty units. Do they snipe much? Does the size and finicky nature make them overkill for a hobbyist?

Thanks!
Eddy

[TB Roye]

I also have a Ridged Planer and it has done all I have asked. I now have it mounted on a movable cabinet as it go to heavy to keep lifting up on the workbench. For a hobbist woodwork it is fine and I can move it out of the way when I am done using it. I use a Ridged 16gal Shop Vac with it and get very little dust of chips.

Tom

[ragswl4]

OK. I'm ready to replace my Grizzly "Snipe-Master" portable planer. Now I have a dilemma. Should I get a nicer portable (I actually got one of the new Ridgid portables but haven't taken it out of the box) or should I get a used heavy duty planer? I located a 2hp 15" planer for around $450 on Craigslist. The heavy duty planer is obviously going to last longer but I understand that blade set up is finicky. It also has a decent sized footprint.

I freely admit that I haven't used a heavy duty planer or even seen one operate. I looked at one at the local store last week and was amazed at how beefy they are.

So what do you all think? I would love some sage advice from anyone who's used both. I certainly don't want to acquire an albatross if there's not a big benefit. On the other hand, I like the idea of a machine that won't have to be replaced in a few years.

Thanks!

Eddy

You sure named that Grizzly Planer appropriately. I had one of those, fought the snipe for over a year and gave up. Bought a used Dewalt 733 off of craigslist for $175 and sold the Grizz for $175. Best $%&^* deal I will probably make in my whole life. The Dewalt has a cutter head lock and never any snipe. Planes like a dream. I have run 250 bd ft of Goncalo Alves through the Dewalt and still on the same original blades and going strong. Sounds like the Rigid is winning hands down though.

[eddy merckx]

Yeah Rags,
I really learned my lesson about reading reviews on Amazon. That Grizzly planer got 4 1/2 or 5 stars and glowing reviews about how it never sniped. When I finally called Grizzly tech service, they just laughed and said "oh, that planer". I tuned it every which way, and could only get it down to .008 of snipe. I even disassembed the feed rollers to balance the springs. Too bad because its built like a tank.

Great idea about selling it on Craigslist.

Eddy

[drumpriest]

Eddy I would say that it entirely depends upon how much you will be using it. I have the dewalt 735 now and like it a lot. I had the little ryobi before as well, and it was fine too. I use my planer quite a bit when I'm in the shop, but lately my shop time has been limited. If I were in the shop every day for hours on end, I'd probably buy a floor model beefy guy, but for the few hours a week that I'm in there the dewalt is serving me well.

I'm sure your Ridgid will do a great job too, but if you are gonna run it like crazy every day, then consider a more industrial model.

[cabinetman]

Was really wondering about people's experience with the heavy duty units. Do they snipe much? Does the size and finicky nature make them overkill for a hobbyist?

Thanks!
Eddy

My first planer was a Delta, and for it's size did a great job. As for snipe, you will play heck eliminating it on any machine. It doesn't take much to get a glitch. A follower piece or scrap is a good answer. Since the planer could be used on a daily basis, or for long periods, I needed one that would take wider stock. At the time I would have preferred a 24", but could only afford a 20", which was adequate.

Everything is beefier on it. Set up right, with the extended infeed and outfeed tables, it is very predictable. I also set up temporary longer infeeld and outfeed supports with rollers. Not always a catch man around. Find myself running back and forth a lot.

For the occasional user, the portable types are fine. Like you said, the footprint is less, and they can be moved more easily.

[Pappy]

Knife set up can be tricky on any planer (or jointer, for that matter) wheter it is portable or stationary. Since they all hold the knives in a similar fashion, I don't understand the idea that a bigger planer would be any more finicky than a portable.

Something to consider is the brand and age of the machine. These could affect parts availability. If shop floor space is not a factor, I would go industrial just for the wider capacity.

[LCHIEN]

i only have and have used the 12.5" delta "portable"
I think the major reason for the extra beef in the standing Hvy Dty ones is the xtra width -

My beef is calling the portable ones portable... I guess if they put a handle on it its portable but to me some of these units 70+ pounds up to 90- something are not really portable to my way of thinking.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Knife set up can be tricky on any planer (or jointer, for that matter) wheter it is portable or stationary. Since they all hold the knives in a similar fashion, I don't understand the idea that a bigger planer would be any more finicky than a portable.

Most lunchbox planers have quick set disposeable knifes. Most floor size planers have straight knifes that can be resharpened. Due to resharpening capacity the knifes do not bottom out in the head thus are quite a PITA to adjust. Lunchbox planers like the Ridgid, you just drop them on to indexed pins and go. It is much, much easier.

Now of course you have indexed insert cutter heads at around $800 for 15" planers and Esta style blade systems for around $300. This make live much easier for a heavy user.

I had the Ridgid for a very brief period of time prior to running into a deal on a Delta 15". I bought that unit, added the stand and roller infeed/outfeed. It is idential to the Delta 15" X5. I love it and it has performed perfectly. I put a Wixey on it which was an awesome move. I can now plan wood to thousandths of inch thickness which makes for very nice fitting door frames! I found a guy selling a Esta dispose a blade system on Woodnet. He didnt sell it on Woodnet and put it on Ebay. I missed finding it by a few minutes and it did hit minimum bid of $25!?!?!?! I emailed him and told him I'd give him $100 for it and it was a done deal. I can change blades on my planer in 5 minutes with absolute perfection. I bought a set of cobalt blades and have done quite a bit of curly hard maple on the set and each board looks like it is coming off fresh blades.

I think the Ridgid is a great value. A floor standing unit is of course a whole different ball game when it comes to planning 200bf of quarter sawn white oak. I think it boils down to 1) how much wood are you planing per month and 2) are you planing 12" wide x 8' boards or do you rough cut your project boards to much smaller sizes? A heavy floor standing unit gives you much more control when dealing with larger, heavier pieces. And of course dealing in volume is a lot easier with the floor unit. Also, you have additional width capacity.

[eddy merckx]

Thanks guys. I was really expecting everybody to say that a stationary planer is a huge improvement and worth the space. Since I gather that a bench top model will likely do just a good a job, I'll think I'll go that way.

Knife set up can be tricky on any planer (or jointer, for that matter) wheter it is portable or stationary. Since they all hold the knives in a similar fashion, I don't understand the idea that a bigger planer would be any more finicky than a portable.

Pappy, I read a few articles on setting up stationary planers. It sounded like you have to set the rollers and chip breaker as well as the knives. Just sounded intimidating to me.