Just goes to show how careful you need to be when you make an offhand comment

I'll vouch for the old Martin stuff. I'm at the tail end of the rebuild of a 69' Martin shaper.....it's not light The bearings (like everything else) are indeed massive, although unlike some of the previously mentioned machines only ABEC 5's. SCMI is also a good manufacturer though there is a noticeable jump. I have an older 20" SCM planer and have looked over many of their 110 and 130 shapers before buying the Martin. There are more than a few European manufacturers that make top notch machinery.

Another advantage (at least to me) of cast iron over steel is that cast iron is far easier to machine than steel hardened to a similar surface hardness. When your drilling for power feeds or any other accessories that's a big help.

good luck,
JeffD