116 Re: Opinions on Thickness Planers
Description
This article is from the Woodworking FAQ Collection 3, by multiple authors.
116 Re: Opinions on Thickness Planers
From: kkelley@hpdmd48.boi.hp.com (Kevin Kelley)
Date: 27 Nov 91 14:29:07 GMT
> Does anyone have recomendations on 10-12" thickness planers. Ryobi sells a
> 10" unit, but I have no idea about its reliability or dealer support. There
> are many cheaply made off-shore units available, but I'm not familiar with
> the better brands or indeed impressed with their quality.
I recently purchased the Ryobi 10" model and am very happy with it. I
considered the Makita 12" planer, and the (fairly) new Delta 12" planer also.
Wood magazine did a planer comparison some time ago in a special "tools"
edition and the Ryobi was rated 2nd; right behind the Makita. One interesting
difference between the two machines (which ended up being the deciding
factor for me) was the fact the the feed table on the Makita moved up and
down while the motor was stationary. Just the opposite was true for the
Ryobi. The advantage for me in the stationary table was that I could build
some set-height feed rollers that would work with this planer (when set on a
long table) regardless of the thickness setting of the planer.
I have built a long (8') table for use with me radial arm saw. Whenever I
want to use the planer I swing the radial arm out of the way and place the
planer where the arm was. I then clamp my fixed-height rollers at
appropriate places on the table. These additional rollers give extra support
to long stock that I am planing. Since the feed table on my planer is
stationary, the height (above the table) of the additional (or auxiliary)
feed rollers is always the same; hence no "adjust-ability" necessary.
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_O_________________O====|_____|====O_______________________O____ Saw Table
Aux. roller Planer Aux. roller
I purchased my planer from Woodworkers / New Mexico. They also market a
"homebrew" shaving hood that I've had moderate success with. I think Ryobi
also markets a vacuum attachment, but I'm not sure.
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