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here are Amazon.com prices of 12″ planers:
Makita 2012NB $489
Powermatic $300
Delta 560 $300 (incl xtra knives and dust chute)
Jet $330
DeWalt $380
I read an occasional bad thing about the Delta and the DeWalt. I read nothing bad about the Makita, Jet, Powermatic. I want disposable blades, so that eliminates the DeWalt. Weight is not an issue. The FHB #136 barely gives a nod to the Makita, but is that worth the extra $150? I do not mind paying for quality, but I need to know why the difference? Any thoughts out there?
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CB ,
I dont own a makita but the next planer i buy will be a makita. I own a delta and deltas quality has gone down the hill a little. there service is not to good either. As for Default the tools are ok but there service absolutely unequivically sucks. I havent messed with powermatic/jet (the same company now). But makita just came out with a new model planer havent heard much about it but knowing there quality of tools you can not go wrong buying one. they are a little more but i look at it like this, i dont want t be in the middle of a job and have to stop and have a tool sent in to get repaired. I want a reliable tool with great fast customer service.
*I just finished going through the same exercise that you are going through, including looking long and hard at the Makita. On Sunday I bit the bullet, opted to save a few bucks and bought a Ridgid 13" thickness planer from Home Depot. Like you I like the idea of disposable blades. The Ridgid blades are both reversible and disposable. I also liked the heavier weight. Portability is nice; however, mass is important too. A high speed tool that is too light is prone to, among other things, more vibration. I don't think that we'll be knocking the Ridgid around as easily - not that anyone does that on purpose, but you know how it goes on the job or in the shop with people moving around and bumping things accidentally, especially when they are tired/fatigued.So far I'm suitably impressed with the machine. I feel that I made the right choice. Before I bought it I checked some of the messages further down here. I didn't get the fantastic deal that someone reported in California, but I did get the thickness planer, stand and dust chute for just under $360, sales tax included - all pristine new and conveniently here in Texas.Good luck in your decision - it ain't easy!Cliff. JohnstonStephenville, TX
*Good advice above. The delta is a substandard piece of junk. I wouldn't buy it for half of what the others sell for. Read a good review for the Powermatic and the Makita. I own the Dewalt, and have run thousands of feet through it, only problem was I broke a belt with a piece of green cherry about 6x8, kind of pushed it too hard that day. No sign of dullness with the blades, and I got an extra set free when I bought it so I'd consider that a moot issue, especially since I think you can buy sets of them for under $30.Just don't buy the delta.
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here are Amazon.com prices of 12" planers:
Makita 2012NB $489
Powermatic $300
Delta 560 $300 (incl xtra knives and dust chute)
Jet $330
DeWalt $380
I read an occasional bad thing about the Delta and the DeWalt. I read nothing bad about the Makita, Jet, Powermatic. I want disposable blades, so that eliminates the DeWalt. Weight is not an issue. The FHB #136 barely gives a nod to the Makita, but is that worth the extra $150? I do not mind paying for quality, but I need to know why the difference? Any thoughts out there?