Used planer recommendations

[Tom Porter]

I want to get my first thickness planer. I'm planning on going used as it's not the only piece of equipment I'd like to get and I think use will be somewhat limited. On Craigslist, I've seen Ryobi, Delta, Dewalt, Ridgid and Steel City planers from 10" to 13" in the $200-300 range. Does anyone have a suggestion about makes or models that I should look for or avoid?

[Charles Taylor]

When I think of used machines, I think of old, heavy cast iron, which you can find in that price range. I have a Delta 22-560, also known as an RC-33, which is a 13" planer powered by a 2HP, 220v motor. It's an excellent machine.

[Art Mann]

Where I live, you see "lunchbox" planers on Craigslist several times a week. You see stationary cast iron planers at the rate of about 2 per year. If the OP lives in a similar place, he may have to be really patient to find a good stationary planer. To find one that is offered at $300 or less, he might wait forever.

I have had a Ridgid TP1300 (I think it is) for about 10 years now and other than the loud noise, I have never had any inclination to buy another. I use it quite regularly and have gone through countless sets of disposable knives.

[Matt Krusen]

Tom,
The lunchbox style planer that I've seen get the most consistent praise is definitely the Dewalt 735. I have one myself and have no complaints other than it being loud. Unfortunately, when I was looking to buy mine I never saw a used DW735 for sale. Dewalt also makes a slightly smaller model 734. Maybe someone else here has some experience with that model. Makita also makes a great lunchbox planer. Happy hunting.

[Charles Wiggins]

The lunchbox style planer that I've seen get the most consistent praise is definitely the Dewalt 735. I have one myself and have no complaints other than it being loud.

+1. 3 knife, 2 speed. Easy to adjust, doesn't creep. Knives are indexed to make replacement quick and easy - no worries with adjusting the knifes to the same height. It has it's own fan assist to help eject the shavings. Pretty sweet for the price point, especially if you can get a good used one.

[David Hostetler]

I have a Ryobi AP1301 13 inch planer. It's okay. The AP1300 is the older version but has better features... I'd love to pick up one of those but don't pay over 150...

[steven taggart]

Avoid the steel city, and the craftsman, performax, and other brands that are the same unit. The gearbox fails. Dramatically.

[Tom Porter]

Thanks for the help. I'm not in a huge hurry so I can bide my time until I find a good deal. At least, that's the theory.

[Jeff Bartley]

Tom,
I'd chime in to say that yes, the 735 does leave an outstanding finish with new knives (as well as any I'd say), but you can't take off much in one pass. On wide harder hard woods expect to be taking a quarter turn of the knob (64th/in). It's painfully slow. And loud! But all that being said you can pick up a used one relatively cheap and be up and running in no time. I actually like the older Dewalt 733 for a lunchbox planer, only has two knives but they can be sharpened. I have both a 733 and a 735 in the shop and as soon as I upgrade I'll sell the 735 and keep the 733 for taking to job sites. I plan to sell the 735 at a price to move quickly!

[Jim Mackell]

Tom, .......... But all that being said you can pick up a used one relatively cheap and be up and running in no time. I actually like the older Dewalt 733 for a lunchbox planer, only has two knives but they can be sharpened. I have both a 733 and a 735 in the shop and as soon as I upgrade I'll sell the 735 and keep the 733 for taking to job sites. I plan to sell the 735 at a price to move quickly! Market must be very different in your area. I've never seen a used 735 offered in my area. Used 733's generally go for $250. - $350. I'd hold out for a 735 either new or used.

[Tom Porter]

Dewalts pop up around here, though they tend to be closer to $300 than $200, as one might expect. A 735 would be my first choice but might have to go for a less expensive choice for a while. I have a project in mind with some reclaimed lumber that might not wait until I can justify a bigger investment. Besides, the amount of time and skill I have to apply to woodworking do not encourage spending a lot on equipment (I'm only about 2 hours away from Jeff, though, so I might see his 735 on Craigslist sometime).

[Jeff Bartley]

Tom, when I sell my 735 it'll go up here first!

[John TenEyck]

I agree with the poster who said think old, American (or Canadian), cast iron. I bought a Foley Belsaw planer/molder a few years ago for $275; my friend just bought another one for $250. 5 HP motors, easy to work on not that I need to do much, run forever. If you have the room, I would get a stationary machine. When you're done with it you can sell it for what you paid for it - not so with a screaming lunchbox one.

John

[Howie Rosenberg]

I have a Rigid R4330 that I picked up on CL used for $150. It is a 13" thickness planer and works very well. The blades are double sided and you can get replacements for $30 at HD.

The Dewalts are generally thought of as the highest quality lunchbox planers but since I am only a hobbyist I did not want to spend that much which is why I went with the Rigid. I have also heard good things about the Steel City planers but have never used one.

Patience on CL is key. Keep looking and the right deal will show up.

[Danny Hamsley]

I had a DW733 that planed thousands of BF. The knives can be re-sharpened, but you have to have equipment to do that, or send the knives off to be re-sharpened. The DW734, as has been mentioned, has three knives that are disposable. They have two sides, so when one side gets dull, you turn them. Then buy a replacement set when the old ones are dull on both sides. The cutterhead lock on the DW734 is excellent. These DeWalt lunchbox planers are real little work horses that for the money, are a very good performer. A proven performer. I have moved up to a 15" 3 HP and a 20" 5 HP (with a 2 HP feed motor), both with spiral heads, but I fondly remember my "little screamer" days with the DW733.

[Keith Hankins]

First thing I'd ask, is what's your budget and can you do 220? I've got two planers. I've got a makita 2012 i've had for over 20 years and for a lunchbox planer its fantastic! Downside is you are not going to take off much material in a pass with a lunchbox planer, but I lived with that for about 15 years so no biggie. If you can have patience I'd check CL and Ebay and find an old american piece of iron. I found a Northfield 18" planer for 1500 on ebay from the 60's It's a monster that can take a 1/4" at a pass and will spit a board out as fast as you can put it in. Go old if you can! they will last. New stuff today just can't compare on price and quality.

[george newbury]

IF you can go 220 definitely look old.

I bought this 3 phase 16" Powermatic for about $1,000.
288395


But it did come with a spare set of blades and the few "extras" pictured here:
288396

/edit - I just had to convince SWMBO that a 20" bandsaw, 8" jointer, 2 tablesaws etc. were required accessories for the planer I needed :)

[Bill McNiel]

George,
My SWMBO is on the floor after reading your post. Unfortunately/fortunately she is also a wood worker and loves your logic.

[Mike Chalmers]

Another vote for Dewalt. I bought a 733 when my generic taiwanese planer died. Fantastic upgrade. I now have a 20" Craftex, 5HP. I'm keeping the Dewalt for things I really do not need to put through the full size planer. Blade changing is fantastically easy on the De Walt, great finish, almost no snipe. Haas lasted a long time and is still working flawlessly.

[Jim Andrew]

George, just get busy and build a few things for your wife. That'll get her on board. Of course, she will come up with some ideas for you.

[Tom Porter]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to get a used lunchbox style in the $200 region. I think that's the best pace to start given my budget and usage plans. I can see the argument for solid, stationary units but the price is way beyond my budget, needs and woodworking skill.

I keep missing out on what I think are pretty good deals on CL. Right now, I'm looking at a Ridgid TP1300 with 3 extra sets of sharpened blades for $225. It's an older grey one, which I believe was made in the US by Emerson. Any thoughts on that deal?