I will be putting up 170 feet of redwood fencing with my brother. He has this thing about smooth fences so the plan is to plane over 300 redwood fence boards smooth on one side. looking at planers at lowes they have a Hitachi for about the same price as a Dewalt. I have heard good things about the Dewalt. Has anybody used the Hitachi?
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PD, you probably want to throw this question on the "knots" board. You'll find more planer users over there.
jt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers. -- Walter Percy Chrysler
where is this Knots board?
It is the FWW forum.Look 3 lines above the FROM:
Just above the "my forums" button and to the left of Breaktime.
Link to Knots is near the top of the page next to Breaktime. See attached pic.
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jt8
The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers.-- Walter Percy Chrysler
Edited 7/31/2005 6:09 pm ET by JohnT8
Thanks gang, you've just opened my eyes to a whole nother world.
So that is where all those woodworkers hang out at!
I got the delta does it all no prob. I heard from guys at another forum..www.woodworking.org that default was having some problems with this planer Buuuttt
they were supposed to have corrected them. Other than that I dont know.
Is that the only job your going to use the planer for. If its for rough work like that..go with the delta shop master should do fine.
If you plan on doing things like cab making with it then go for the more expensive ones.
Also you can check and see what a lumber yard would charge you to do it. It might save you some $$$ especially if your going to just use this tool or the 1 job.
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
.
Check over in knots. I know the $500 newer dewalt is great when it works but they still haven't worked out all the problems with it.
If your just going to run 300 boards through, check out a local rental place and price it for the weekend.
can you tell me some of the problems with the dewalt, I was thinking of getting one...
which is odd, cause I hate dewalt tools, that one looked like a winner though.
CAG,I think Ron is referring to the newer, bigger model. Not really a portable.I have the Dewalt lunchbox planer and the Makita. I prefer the Makita, but for the average user I think the Dewalt is a good value. It is like their 705 chopsaw. Solid and basic. The knife changes are relatively easy and I've gotten a lot of life out of the knives (I sharpen them myself). Mine's had four years of hard, dialy shop use and runs fine. You could probably even get it reconditioned.-KitTechnique is proof of your seriousness. - Wallace Stevens
I'm looking at the bigger not so portable 100 poundish model...
I've used the smaller 12" it's ok, like you said nothing speacial, but mostly solid.
I don't have it myself but I've seen a lot of posts on the knots forum about people complaining about the sprockets. Dewalt knew of the problem and came up with a fix but I saw a post last week from someone that said the new sprockets were doing the same thing. I have heard that when the planer does work, it does a very good job. I think the common view is that it has the best results of all the planers when it is operable.
This is the newer, bigger portable planer. The DW735, 13"
I've had my Hitachi planer for nearly 10 years, and it's never given me any problem. Redwood won't tax your planer, whatever brand you use. But you're going to be making shavings by the trashcanfull, so make sure to plan for that volume of waste. good luck.
any planer will handle redwood
what I want to caution you is redwood dust actually, well for me anyway, hurts your chest
even though you'll be outside I guess, wear masks
You might also want to look at the Ridgid
Had my Delta 2 speed for years now and love it. Run quite a bit of Red Oak through it. Think you might well look at a heavier duty model like the Delta for the work you want done. It's sure not easily portable, but solid.
Let's not confuse the issue with facts!
Just purchased a new Delta 13" thickness planer on amazon. It was $349 and they're offering $25 off. With the $25 you save, make sure you purchase the "optional" dust collection hood. You'll need it. The hood just happens to be $25.
As for the planer, I've only used it a couple of times. But it's sweet!!! 2 speeds -- one for "dimensioning" and one for "finishing" lumber. Reversible blades (disposable). Looking forward to lots of years with this baby. It ultimately came down to the Delta and the RIDGID at Home Depot, but I read a couple of negative opinions about the RIDGID on the web and nothing on the Delta. It's also built like a tank! Plus, it good a good review in FWW/FHB.
- Toolfreak