Powermatic 209hh : is it worth it?

[BARRY RESNICK]

I was looking to get the pOWERMATIC 209 HH 20" planer. Right now its on sale for $3642. My second choice was the Grizzly G1033X planer. They look like twins separated at birth. The Grizzly has no built in casters so I'd have to add a mobile base, never mind put the beat on it. The cost is $3200 +$100 for base. So price is almost the same.

Are PM motors better? Are the castings better? I know I get a genuine Byrd with the PM but the helical head on the grizzly looks great. The number of cutter inserts is the same 96 vs 100. Grizzly has four rows of 24. PM has 5 rows of 20.

Warranty is 5yr vs 1yr.

Any thoughts? I know Im over thinking it

[Mike Heidrick]

Only you can answer if $3642 is OK to spend for a 4 post generic asian planer with a byrd that costs about $800-$900. Its nice that it is pre installed. PM has asian motor and asian castings just like every other 4 post planer. Call them and ask what they would do with the warranty if something broke after 4 years. Would they come out and fix it, just send you parts, etc. Then you could assess a value to the warranty. I have not read of a complaint on the grizzly or the PM. I have used a straight knife grizzly before and it works fine. Best of luck on your planer quest!

Kevin wrote this on SMC in 2007:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?55475-POWERMATIC-209HH-impressions

[Rick Fisher]

Its not even close to worth $3642 IMO.. Its an Asian 4 post planer with a fancy mustard paint job.

[Michael Mayo]

Its not even close to worth $3642 IMO.. Its an Asian 4 post planer with a fancy mustard paint job.

Isn't the Grizzly also an asian manfactured tool? Seems to me they are both not worth that kind of money if they are both originating in China??? What other options are there for this gentleman for purchasing a 20" planer? Instead of bashing his choice how about giving some other "better" options for planers? Not trying to be ornery but I see this so much someone asks a legit question and some think that replying with totally negative input is helpful? How so?

[BARRY RESNICK]

The Grizzly G1033x is going to run me $3300. That too is Asian import.

The castings on the tables of the G1033x and PM 209 are 3/4" thicker than the tables on the G0454z .

[Stephen Cherry]

Isn't the Grizzly also an asian manfactured tool? Seems to me they are both not worth that kind of money if they are both originating in China??? What other options are there for this gentleman for purchasing a 20" planer? Instead of bashing his choice how about giving some other "better" options for planers? Not trying to be ornery but I see this so much someone asks a legit question and some think that replying with totally negative input is helpful? How so?

Something positive in there?

The problem is that the alternatives are much more money, for example for a minimax planer, the head itself will be about 3000 spacebucks.

The only thing I could suggest that is cheaper would be to look for a low miles 18 inch older powermatic (made in usa), then get the head for about 1600 dollars. That would be a project in itself though.

[Jim Andrew]

I struggled with the "which planer" choice for some time. Luckily, I have a neighbor who has a G0453px, and I asked him to demonstrate it to me. After the demonstration, I decided I could get by with the 15" planer rather than the 20". The G0453px is a joy to use, and costs very little compared to a 20". You can use the difference in price to buy another machine, such as a drum sander or as I did, to get a 3hp shaper and a power feeder.

[Gregory Stahl]

Not a bad project at all, did it to my PM180 in a few hours.

[Stephen Cherry]

Not a bad project at all, did it to my PM180 in a few hours.

Well, how do you like the result? Pictures?

[BARRY RESNICK]

I would like a 20" planer. I dont want to disassemble one and put in a new head.

[Mike Tekin]

I would like a 20" planer. I dont want to disassemble one and put in a new head.

Barry, I agree with you- from what it sound like, you want to do woodworking and not machine restoration. My take is that you are paying several hundred dollars for a 5 year warranty and shinier paint.

I think the Powermatic is more closer to the Grizzly G0454 and not the 1033 since the 1033 appears to weigh over 70lbs more than the Powermatic which means it may have sturdier castings. Next, the Powermatic motors seem just like any other generic Asian motor as well.

My decision would tell me to get the G01033 and don't look back - I am also very happy with my 15" 453 and this 20" you are looking at is one step above the 453/454 line in construction quality.

[Mark Levitski]

FWIW I have the G1033X and you won't be disappointed. Search all the forums and reviews to get all the input you can stand, then decide. The 1033 is priced more than the 0454 for a reason. You get what you pay for most of the time.

[BARRY RESNICK]

Do you have a mobile base? How is this finish on figured wood?

[Mark Levitski]

No mobile base. Don't need one here, but it is a very heavy machine.
The cuts are clean and the noise level is a lot less, however I can only compare it to my only other planer, a 13" screaming lunchbox model. You wouldn't go wrong w/ either the PM or the Grizz (or maybe the JET for that matter). IMO, the 1033 is the best value.

[Rick Fisher]

Sorry for the late reply..

I have the machine .. The General 330HH .. 20" x Helical Head planer with 5hp ( 4 poster ) .. Its the same machine as the Powermatic. Even have the Powermatic gears for 4 speeds..

Anyway.. I am going to be rid of mine.

I am actually going to replace it with a used General Canadian made 14" Planer for now.