"Must have" feature

[Schleeper]

I'm one of those guys that typically researches every purchase to death before pulling the trigger. Take my most recent buy, a Ridgid R4330 thickness planer, for instance. I was back and forth between a couple different brands, and came mighty close to getting a Makita. I finally took the plunge on April 29 or 30, because that's when HD's big tool rebate program ended.

I weighed a lot of factors before finally deciding on the Ridgid model. Here's the feature that finally tipped the scales in their favor:

[steve-norrell]

Now that is truly innovative. But which is more so: wrapping the cord or using common practice as an advertising gimmic?

Nice planer though.

Regards, Steve

[mschrank]

That's a hoot! Wish my Makita had this "feature."

[rcp612]

I've had my R4330 for 5 months now and getting the cord lined up with the embossed diagram is my biggest frustration with it !!!

[Tom Slick]

Brilliant!!

[cgallery]

That is awesome!

[jussi]

Festool's got nothing on them.

[Bruce Cohen]

Does that ingenious way of dealing with an age-old problem come standard or is it an extra-cost option. Boy, I wish I'd of thought of that.

Bruce

[BigguyZ]

How do you like the planer otherwise?

[Uncle Cracker]

Crap! I've been missing out... I just keep mine plugged in...

[poolhound]

Very creative. I guess thats to prevent you from trying to use it without plugging it in!!!

[Schleeper]

How do you like the planer otherwise?

Compared to what?

This is my first experience with a thickness planer. All I know is, a rough, unattractive board goes in one side, and one showing off its beautiful grain pattern comes out the other. What's not to like?

I adjusted the table extensions so they were level with the planing table, as instructed, but I'm still getting some snipe. That could be related to the very short length of the boards, however. Also, I'm pretty sure the depth gauge does not match the actual, but I haven't tried to adjust it yet. And they tell you to keep the rollers clean, but they don't say how you're expected to accomplish that, when the rollers can't be rotated.

[poolhound]

I adjusted the table extensions so they were level with the planing table, as instructed, but I'm still getting some snipe. That could be related to the very short length of the boards, however. Also, I'm pretty sure the depth gauge does not match the actual, but I haven't tried to adjust it yet. And they tell you to keep the rollers clean, but they don't say how you're expected to accomplish that, when the rollers can't be rotated.

I have the older Rigid TP1300 and am very happy with it. The depth stop and preset stops seem to be spot on, does this model have presets? EDITED - I just checked the specs and it does, try these and see how they match the marked depth.

How short a board have you run through? You should not run them too short as this can be dangerous. The manual should indicate the min reccomended length. You can get better results with shorter boards (still beware min lengths) running them through on a sled.

To avoid snipe it is often suggested that you raise the in and outfeed tables a Smidgen above dead level with the bed. Mine are set this way and I am mostly snipe free. You do want to make sure the opposing face is already jointed or use a face jointing sled.

FYI - the Imperial Smidgen is equal to three dog hairs and a Gnats wing

[cabinetman]

You can avoid snipe by following the object board with a scrap piece. Or, allow enough length to just cut off the snipe.
.

[Uncle Cracker]

longer extensions to your infeed and outfeed tables can also help with snipe. Rousseau makes a roll-around cart with fold-down tables that might be just the ticket for you.