benchtop planers

[leonard haag]

Hey everyone;  I have been trying to find myself a benchtop planer. I just don't know which one to go with, every place I go, their planers are the best there is, I need some un-biased input from you all. I just need the planer for occasional usage, would like one that the knives don't cost a bundle, and something that has feed tables on it. What planers do you all use, pros and cons? any input would be a great help.....thanks

[David Dean]

Well Leonard I don't what to talk bad about benchtop planer's there nice for finish planing but not for rough lumber thats what I think and I own a 13" DeWalt .Thay are not a floor planer youll under stand when you run your frist pace of rough lumber throw it.

[Jens Jensen]

I also have the Yellow planner and it seems to do good rough lumber is fine running just take small cuts as you do with  any other type wood

[ray vile]

Hi Leonard,

I have the ridgid 12'' planner and I just love it, it has a repeat a cut feature that lets you plane all the boards to the exact same thickness, you can hook it up to either a 2 1/2'' inch vacum or a 4'' dust collector, the replacement blades are reasonable and it also has an onboard storage for the replacment blades, and if you register it with ridgid you also get the lifetime service agreement

[Hugh Clare]

Leonard,

I use a Delta 13" that came with it's own stand. I bought it used from a guy that barely used it as a stop-gap for the times my buddy and his Woodmaster aren't available. I haven't bothered my buddy since. I use it for rough lumber and haven't had a complaint about it yet. 

[Rick Forkenbrock]

I have had 3 planers.I now own the Dewalt 13 inch. planers. I also use a Dewalt in a woodworking class I teach. That palners has had 2 or 3 thousand linear feet of wood thru it with no repairs or down time. These planers cost more but the end results will prove them to be one of the best on the market.

 

Rick

[Larry E, Dennis]

LEONARD, I don't know where you live but if you can get to a auction like in a rural area or small town you can find all kinds of tools.  True you may need to go back several times, but it's worth it.  My brother-in-law gently used 14" De Walt thickness planner still in the box.  He paid $75 for it.  He mills his own lumber from trees on his place and uses the planner to clean those boards up.  Hope this helps, good luck!

[mike smith]

I had a delta 12 and i sold that it
was terrible but i just purchased the new Rigid 13 1/2" and i LOVE IT it takes everything i throw at it and it comes out great plus blades are double side two for one and its a three blade self feed. Get a rigid from home depot you wont be sorry