Replies

1. 
   frenchy | Sep 29, 2007 10:29pm | #1

   Gene Davis,

    Well no experiance with that one.. I will tell you that My Deltas were terrible, and I've heard serious complaints with regard the Dewalt.

         I have heard wonderful reports from Mikita's portable..

2. 
   NickNukeEm | Sep 30, 2007 12:39am | #2

   Tools of the Trade just came out with a planer review, including the Steel City.

   http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/industry-news.asp?sectionID=1493&articleID=572583

   I'm thinking of ditching my 10 year old Makita and going with the 13" DeWalt.

    

   "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."  Invictus, by Henley.

3. 
   jc21 | Sep 30, 2007 02:00am | #3

   If I were in the market again for a portable planner I'd still go with the Makita 2012NB again. I looked long and hard at the Delta 22-580 and the DW 735. The Makita is lighter than the DW and Delta and quieter than than either- the noise from the DW 735 will raise the dead (it's over 100dB). Haven't heard much about the Steel City.

4. 
   huplescat | Sep 30, 2007 05:20am | #4

   I’ve been using a DW planer for the last year or so. Sure it’s loud and heavy, but it does a great job. My partner and I have a lot of hours on it with no problems.

5. 
   Sphere | Sep 30, 2007 03:45pm | #5

   How easily are replacement knives procured? Or if re-sharpenable, do you know of a good sharpening outfit?

   I have the DW 2 sp.13" and so far, use it mostly for final passing after roughing out through a veteran Ryobi AH-115.  The resharpenable knives on the Ryobi, means I can beat them up a bit more, they have the steel to work with an occaisional metallic object or what have you. 

   The "flip and throw away" blades don't have the meat to with stand some of the old woods I throw at them, so using them ( keeping them as sharp as possible) as final clean up saves some $$$ on blades.  Down time waiting for sharp,gets problematic in some instances.

   As far as weight and noise goes, both are on wheeled stands,and I wear earmitts in the shop anyway..so I don't consider those heavily.

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   "If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"

1. 
   Gene_Davis | Sep 30, 2007 03:58pm | #6

   My local distributor has the knives in stock.

   I like the features of two speeds and three blades.  It weighs 71 pounds, which is comparable to other brands.  The dust chute is integral, and the add-on my Delta has is a troublemaker.

1. 
   Sphere | Sep 30, 2007 04:05pm | #7

   That's cool. I've seen other products by Steel City, was curious about the performance. Let us know.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   "If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"