22477.1 | |
I’m new to woodworking. I’ve been primarily looking at Delta & Powermatic machinery, trying to decide what planer to get. Because of the $ involved, I had resolved to getting a orbital sander until I could afford a sanding machine. However, in talking to an acquaintance I discovered he was a woodworker and has a Woodmaster planer-molder-sander. He has been happy with its performance, but uses it on a very limited basis. I am planning on using my equipment extensively, so I want something that will be appropriately reliable and durable. If I can spend a little more and get something with this flexibility, then maybe that is the route I want to go. In looking at their Model 718, it appears like and is described as a solid machine. I like the 5 HP planer motor (30 a, 230 v), and having a separate feed roller motor makes sense, but I would like to hear from as many owners / users / knowledgeable woodworkers as possible regarding this company, its equipment and service, before I spend some major bucks on something I know little about. Also, any general or specific input regarding Delta or Powermatic jointers (8″) and bandsaws (14″ or 18″) would be appreciated as well! |
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Learn more about the benefits and compliance details for the DOE's new water heater energy-efficiency standards.
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
You might want to ask this over in Knots, the FWW equivalent to Breaktime.
While a number of people and tools overlap between the forums you will find more people that use these kind of tools over at Knots.
Also you might want to look at the RBI equipment.
They made stuff every similar to the Woodmaster.
I'll take the woodmaster over the rbi any day.
Mine mill machine is the Williams and Hussey, but it sounds like you have different plans.
I know a guy who uses his regularly, and it seems to do OK
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Bill is right that you will get more reponses on the questions you have raised over on Knots. Try doing a search for past threads -- since there has been a lot of stuff on the issues you raise.
I don't own any Woodmaster equipment, but it has a very good reputation among the people who do. If you call them, they will tell you who in your area has bought a similar machine. Since they have all agreed to give out their name, any would be happy to talk with you about their experiences, and maybe invite you over for a looksee.
As someone else suggested, you should also look into the RBI machines.
The W-H machine is great -- maybe the best of the molders -- but it is not a multipurpose tool in the same way as Woodmaster and RBI could be (if you buy all the extra accessories).
I have the sander-only version of the Woodmaster: 25" wide drum sander. It is a very solidly made machine, which I use periodically, but not intensively (I am a hobbiest woodworker). I find that you do have to be prudent in its use to avoid "loading" the sandpaper: for example, if you are sanding wood that has been edge-joined, as for making a table top out of narrower pieces, you have to run the glued wood through at a slight angle. Otherwise, that glue-line will cause the paper to load and burn either the piece that you are sanding or the next one that you try to put through.
Bob Chapman