question about style of planer, Foundation XIV

[John Moorhead]

Folks -

We pour the slab on Tuesday and we are just about set.... Now the real fun is starting! We've been going over shop layout and the like, and I've also been looking at stationary planers - I have a Rigid "Lunchbox" style, and while it's a sturdy planer, I do need something bigger.

I have been looking at fixed head planers and also moveable head planers. The moveable head type appeals to me as I could incorporate it into a long table that would also house the chop saw and mortiser - all of the machine tables would be at the same height and share infeed and outfeed tables. I couldn't put a fixed head planer (where the platen moves) in this kind of a configuration.

What are the pros and cons of each type - any ideas, pointers or tips would be welcome.

TIA!

John

[Mark & Juanita]

I think you've hit upon the primary advantage/disadvantage between the two. Having a fixed head planer would make design of a reasonable infeed/outfeed very difficult.

[bridger]

fixed heads are mechanically simpler and so at least theoretically more reliable.