Planer Purchase

[Curtis Bergeron]

Hello everybody, I am going to be purchasing a bigger planer in the very near future and was wondering what peoples thoughts were on this subject. The Woodmaster and RBI sure look like nice universal tools that I would love to have since I would like to be able to make my own 5 ¾" base, 3 ½" casing and 8" plinth blocks but I am not sure how the finish is when using the planer itself. I have seen some people complain about the finish and others love it. My other choices are the Powermatic 15" deluxe model or the 20" model. I am leaning more towards the 20" model as it has 4 cutter heads and will probably provide a very nice finish and can allow me to plane panels up to 20" wide. Any opinions out there as to what you would purchase if you had $2K to spend on a planer? Thanks. Curtis

[Slowhand]

I'm saving my sheckles for the Powermatic 15" fwiw. But, if you have 2k to spend, I'd get the 20". Bigger, more power, gotta be better! SH

[Jon Endres, PE]

spend on a planer?

Yep. Woodmaster 718, $1600 or so, plus shipping, gets you in the 2k range. Woodmaster 718 with Pro-pak allows you to do those moldings, plus drum sand, plus gang rip, for an extra $700.

I've been inquiring about the Woodmasters for a year or so, and as soon as I find the space for one, I'm getting a 718. I don't see any other reasonable options.

Jon E

[RonB]

Curtis - Also take a look at the string below "Which 15" Planer - Ollie" He is looking at several including Powermatic, Griz, and others. Might be some useful info show up there too.

[Sbtypesetter]

That's easy. Parks 98. I'd put the other $1300 into other good tools.

[Curtis Bergeron]

Thanks Ron, I have been trying to find my post and somehow it managed to show up under another Planer Purchase post. I guess since I gave it the same name it put it under the existing. Woops! :)

Curtis

[david zaret]

i have a 718 with pro-pack, and it's a good machine. i have very few complaints. it's simple... but extremely well built. plus, i find that i use the drum sanding attachment as much as the planer. and it cuts molding beautifully.

good luck with your purchase.

--- dz

J>

[Jon Endres, PE]

Since making my post, I found a Woodmaster 718 w/ pro pack in the local classifieds for $1100. Six years old, has very little use, but was a bit rusty. I bought it anyway. Guy had *everything* with it, including the original invoice and an extra set of blades for the planer. No molding knives, though (curiously).

Jon E