Upgrade existing planer or buy a new planer?

[John Hollander]

I’m currently using an old Ridgid TP13002. It gets the job done, but the blades nick easily, it’s loud a heck, and the dust collection isn’t the greatest. I’ve thought about getting a Byrd head to reduce tearout and reduce blade changes, but I’m worndering if that money would be better spent on a newer better planer. I don’t have the space for a stationary unit so I’d still be stuck with a lunchbox style planer, but it does look like their are better options than the TP13002( I’m looking at the dewalt 735 right now).

[Mitchell Ristine]

I think there's pretty general consensus that, absent a full size, the 734 or 735 is the way to go. Then get a Shelix for it.

Edit. FWIW, I have a 734 with carbide tipped straight knives. It serves me well.

[Andrew Hughes]

There’s been many threads on this subject John.
The 735 is a great bench planer. With straight carbide tipped knives you won’t be disappointed

Wait on the bryd head till you get a planer with Mucho Horse Power.

[John Hollander]

Wait on the bryd head till you get a planer with Mucho Horse Power.

Do you think the dewalts are too under powered to run a byrd?

[Andrew Hughes]

Definitely under powered.The bryd head is cutting at zero rake so it very much like a scraping cut.The only thing it has going for it is slight tilt and a radius edge. I wonder if it would even cut wood without those two innovations.

[Matt Day]

IMO, if you're going to upgrade and you have the space, I'd suggest going up to a 4 post 15" planer. Even with straight knives it's an upgrade. Why go from a decent lunchbox planer to a good lunchbox planer. They come up used often enough as well.

[John Sincerbeaux]

^^^^^^^^^ What Matt said^^^^^^^^

[Mike Kees]

What Matt said x2.