Which 15" planer

[Ollie]

After some initial evaluation, I am considering the Powermatic Model 15 (1791209) to be the best fit for my projects. This same machine is coming in many different colors from multiple vendors. There could be some real differences and I would like to learn the pros and cons in the following models:

- Powermatic 15S (1791210), this has the spiral head

- Shop Fox W1692

- Jet JWP-15CS (708529)

- Grizzly G1021Z

Grizzly price is around $1000, 15S is around $1500, and all the others are around $1200.

+++ Ollie

PS. Is the Shop Fox W1724 cutter head same as used in PM 15S?

[Bob]

Just comparing the Powermatic and Grizzley, I see some obvious differences

3 hp vs. 2 hp Cast iron wings vs. steel frame rollers spiral cutters vs straight cutters

I don't know minimum thickness for Powermatic. Grizzley is 1/4" which is kind of thick. Even my Delta benchtop will do 3/16" without a problem.

Bob

[Bob]

Additional differences between Powermatic and Grizzly:

Powermatic has fully enclosed stand with casters. Grizzly has no stand.

At $695, the Grizzly looks like a very good buy, but you seemed more interested in getting best power/quality. Otherwise, you wouldn't even consider the Powermatic. Its really in a league by itself.

Bob

[George]

That's how close the cutters will go to the base. Not germane in considering what you can actually plane with it on a sled, which you'd want to stick thin stock to anyway for best results.

As you've probably noticed, all contestants share a pedigree. I've the ancestor of all, the Rockwell 13, and though none are the machine it is, I've used two of the four elsewhere, and seen the other. Spiral head, if you've got the bucks, would be nice.

[RonB]

I don't think we are all looking at the same Grizzly.

The G0121Z (orignial post form Ollie) Does have an enclosed stand. It also has a 3hp motor and a price of $995. Its little brother the G0121 is 2hp, open stand at $695.

Since the ShopFox and Griz are very close cousins (both essentially Griz). They should be close, but there are several small differences (controls, outfeed, etc.). I would bet the guts are pretty close to identical. My son-in-law has the Griz version and it is a good looking machine. Not enought service on it to make other judgements.

[Bob]

The original post said G1021, not G0121. Typo?

Bob

[RonB]

Yeah. Need new fingers...........new brain, maybe.

[Ollie]

From my original list of 5 planers (2 PM, 1 SF, 1 Jet, 1 Grz) I forgot the Yorkcraft 15P from Wilke's. Based on the pictures, it seems to have the same infeed and outfeed beds as PM 1791209. The SF, Jet, and Grz models have the 3 rollers.

The YC-15P price ($799) was so attractive that I did order it today.

I did skip over the spiral head models based on some negative comments about the blades. If it has been the indexed small square blades or the new helical blades from Byrd, perhaps I had gone on that route.

Thanks for the comments, Ollie

PS. The Bridgewood BW-15P shares the same construction with the other 6 models, Its price ($1,049) is reasonable.

[Aaron]

For $1500 for the PM, I'd save up another $300 and get the Woodmaster 18" planer, sander, molder and rip saw

[Ollie]

I did look the WM Model 718 ($1,600) planer and its accessories, such as sander ($250), molder ($212), and rip saw (price ???). The web site with its testimonials and the statements in the newsgroups were not able to convince me.