I need your opinion on planers

[nick johannsen]

I need to purchase a bigger planer because I am milling around 4 thousand bdft in my hobby business a year now, and I am hearing from veteran wood workers to try and stay away from the 4-post planers and Im not sure why, many companies have gone to a 4-post, and I have a hard time believing that a wedge planer is far superior. I'm looking to by a PM-15HH or the PM-209HH. your opinion would be greatly appreciated.

[Erik Loza]

Four-post design is pretty much "the standard" on industrial planers for both companies I've sold equipment for and never heard a complaint about it.

Erik

[Robert Engel]

+1 Erik ^^.

My advise is get the widest planer you can afford.

[Dennis Peacock]

+1 Erik ^^.

My advise is get the widest planer you can afford.

++1
And get it with a Shelix cutter head!!!! DAMHIKT!!!
(Don't Ask Me How I Know This)

[David Kumm]

The number of posts is kind of irrelevant if the build is good. The old Oliver 299 was a two post machine and will outlive most of today's machines. A four post does allow for a long bed which is a benefit. A large diameter head, chipbreakers, and a pressure bar are important. Bed rollers, not so much. Power table drive and digital readout are worth the price. A good 20+" planer will cost in the 8-12K range. A good used SCM, SAC, Felder, or older Martin, Oliver, etc will go in the 4-7K range. Planers costing less are lighter designs made wider. Dave

[andy bessette]

...I am hearing from veteran wood workers to try and stay away from the 4-post planers...

You've been given bad advice. My old Delta 4-post has given decades of trouble-free service and produces no snipe.

[nick johannsen]

thanks Dave

[nick johannsen]

good point, thanks

[Darcy Warner]

Not really pertinent to OP, but I prefer a wedge bed planer over anything else.