Which Planner and Why?

[Jason Kahl]

Before I go buying expensive cuts of wood and making funiture such as a dresser I know I need a Planner...

I am stuck...DeWalt has 3 models available 

Dewalt DW734 and DW735 and the DW735X

I need someone who knows tools to give me the pro's and con's...

Can you build nice Cabinets and Dresser type furniture without one?

[David Dean]

If it was me I would go for the DW735X that one come's with the end table's for you planer I pay $55.00 for blade's and they last about a year I have ran 600 bf of oak on one side and it is still good to go.And yes you can but it well cost you double but you can get rouh lumber for $2.00 bf but thats what I would do. 

[Ken Darga]

Jason,

For a portable bench top model, my choice is the Dewalt DW735---13’’ portable planer. 

The 2-speed gear box allows the user to change the feed-speed to optimize cuts per inch at 96 or 179 CPI

Three knife cutter-head design.

This model offers the finish via the most cuts per inch available on a bench top thickness planer.

Replacement knives readily available, or they can be resharpened using adequate sharpening tools and sharpening skills.

Dust hose adapter.

Dust ejection chute.

This planer can produce quality cuts that need little sanding.

Easy to use depth stops and depth of cut gauge.   Built in chip blower, powerful enough to clear nearly all chips and inflate the bags on a dust collector by itself.

 

If you can’t pay $500 or more, than look into the Rigid R4330.

If you buy the Rigid, get the newer model, 3-blade version.

Makita offers a 12’’ planer.

 

Option: rent a planer and plane several feet of lumber, and see if it meets your needs.

NOTE: Some planers require tedious adjustments to get good results. 

[Ken Darga]

Cabinets and furniture can be built without having a planer.

[Ken Darga]

Bravo...

Why did you select the Rigid planer?

Costs?

Features?

What are some of the advantages of the Rigid over the Dewalt models, cited in the subject matter?

Jason is looking for help---asking for someone who knows tools.

Perhaps he isn't familiar with power planers---

he may not have ready access to peruse the variety of planers on the market;

hence, he wants helpful inputs.

I'm sure there are better planers on the market, than the Dewalt brands,

but Jason seems to be interested in the Dewalt models. 

BRAVOGOLFTANGO said:

>>>...

After much research I bought RIDGIDs new model which is a great planer. You don't need a big planer as stated, but it makes the job easier for sure.

Do some research.

[Ken Darga]

Some planer reviews:

Dewalt

http://www.finewoodworking.com/toolguide/toolguideproduct.aspx?id=5712

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW735-13-Inch-Thickness-Planer/dp/B000...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvUDp967R7g

http://www.woodcentral.com/bparticles/dewaltplaner.shtml

http://www.get-powertools.com/dewalt-planers/

http://www.dewalt.com/tools/machinery-portable-thickness-planers-dw...

http://www.dewalt.com/tools/machinery-portable-thickness-planers-dw...

http://blog.makezine.com/2011/11/15/tool-review-dewalt-dw734-12-12-...

http://www.sears.com/dewalt-dw735-13-in-two-speed-thickness-planer/...

Rigid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFeBnYlGHWA

http://www.amazon.com/Ridgid-R4330-Planer-13-Inch-Thickness/dp/B001...

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/ridgid-13-in-thickness-planer-r4331.ht...

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/15520

[Jason Kahl]

I am a true newbie....I have not heard dewalt sold out...I was going with them because of the history of making good tools. If thats changed I will pick another...

[Ken Darga]

Jason,

I've only heard good things about the Dewalt 735 planer.

[Ken Darga]

Dewalt DW735

HD black friday special $259! (reg $399)

[Ken Darga]

Visited my local HD center, early this am, and saw the Yellow SALE tag on the machine---

''in store available stock''.

It may have been an instore special, not advertised in the BF flier.

A SUPER-BUY, if one needs a planer, or another planer.

Ken Darga said:

Dewalt DW735

HD black friday special $259! (reg $399)

[Jason Watkins]

If you can get a dw735 for $250 I'd go for it. That machine normally retails for $549-$599.

However, the dw734 normally retails for $399, so maybe that is the one Ken meant.

At any rate, I'd go with the dw735x, it comes with the indeed/outfeed tables, which will help reduce snipe.

I'm on the hunt for one myself. There are deals to be had on Craigslist.

[Gary roofner]

The $259 in my homedepot was the Ridgid not Dewalt. Yes if the Dewalt was $259 sure that would be a steal but ridgid for $259 not a bad deal, both have 3 cutters.

[Ken Darga]

When planning, my experiences have taught me to cut shallow passes---1/64 (0.015 thousands)---

until near the finished size---readjust and make the last pass .005 to .008", for a smoother finish.

(sometimes I've tried to achieve .002-.003'' thick cuts---lightly shaving the surface).

 

When taking too deep of cuts, chatter occurs, and it results in a wavy surface, that needs further planning or sanding.

 

In soft woods, pine/fir, or the like, a 1/32'' (.032) is acceptable---with the last pass of 1/64” (.015) or less.

 

The above methods applied to planning lumber of 3/4'' and thinner.

 

Thicker cut passes for rapid removal, followed by thin-cut pass for the final plane.

 

There have been times, that a 1/16'' cut was acceptable planning soft woods--- like in 2x stock, followed by a 1/64 for the last planned cut.

 

Planning with a power machine, is akin to planning with a hand plane---

shallow cuts is easier and produces a smoother finish.

Additional machining cuts will amount to additional handling, but will result in the smoother finish---especially in hardwoods.

 

On some of my hand planned pieces, I target for .001'' thick and thinner shavings.

 

A keenly sharpened and stropped planner blade and micro adjustment of the plane will produce the best results.

 

I try to make the surface as smooth as possible, so as to avoid follow-up with sanding.

Less clean-up prior to finishing.

 

The use of a visor style magnifying glasses  is very useful, as well as a well lighted work area.

 this style, or the like.

 

Flexible goose neck lights

 

are very useful.  The flexible neck allows for adjustment, so as to focus the light  to more clearly see any imperfections.