Jet JWP-15HO Planer

[Ed Kestory]

I have the opportunity to purchase a used Jet 15" planer, the older blue model. From my research this was most likely made in Taiwan as opposed to the newer models that are made in China, so it should be of a higher quality. It doesn't have the infeed/outfeed table rollers, but it is in pristine condition and it has been upgraded with a Shelix cutterhead. I can get it for less than $1000, seems like a good deal. As I am not familiar with this model of planer, I would like to get others opinion to make sure I am not overlooking a flaw with this machine. Thanks for your input.

[Matt Day]

I’ve had that exact model planer (without rollers too) for about 5 or 6 years. It’s been a great machine really.

I had to disassemble it because it had been stored in a barn for a while and had surface rust. Once that was done I adjusted it and it’s cut great without any adjustments or snipe the whole time.

Never needed the outfeed or infeed rollers either. Just walk around and catch longer boards.

I bought mine for about $400 with straight knives and need some work as I said. $1000 with a byrd head is a pretty good deal, seeing that it’s about a $700 upgrade and it’s already installed for you.

[Ed Kestory]

Thanks for the info, this one is in great shape I only see 1 ir 2 small rust dots. I haven't picked it up yet, so how do you move it around with the wheels, also do you get any witness marks from the metal rollers? I currently use the dealt 635 with rubber rollers. Great little planer but loud as hell.

[Ed Kestory]

Sorry dewalt 735, autocorrect got me.

[Matt Day]

Mine doesn’t roll the greatest, but I’m not moving it a bunch so no big deal. If you plan to move it a lot you might want to add better casters or a mobile base.

The serrated outfeed roller on mine will leave marks if you run a board though then take a gnats hair deeper cut the next time. I generally don’t sneak up on thicknesses like that so it’s never been a problem. You can get a rubber outfeed roller from a Delta if it really bothers you, but IIRC it’s about $200+. Wasn’t worth it to me.

And the Jet isn’t exactly quiet. It’s a lower octave than the lunchbox planers but you still need hearing protection.

[Ed Kestory]

Thanks for the info. I think the shelix cutterhead will be a benefit as I'm always replacing the blades on the dewalt. I run a lot of epoxy through it

[Mike Kees]

I just sold a delta Dc 380 with three sets of great quality knives and a mobile base for $780. I would buy that thing before someone else does. All of the four post planers are really pretty well the same machines and work fine once adjusted.

[Ed Kestory]

Ok, I am picking it up tomorrow.

[Matt Day]

Great! Post pics of your haul!

[Ed Kestory]

Sure thing.

[Ed Kestory]

Here's the haul, planes good and is really quiet.

[Ed Kestory]

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[Matt Day]

Looks very familiar! Nice and clean and appears in great shape. Nice get.

[Ed Kestory]

Yes it's in great shape and about one third as loud as the old dewalt dw735.

[Mike Kees]

Nice looking machine,congrats.

[Ed Kestory]

Thanks, hopefully I will get some shop time today to really put it to work.

[Matt Day]

I’d give it a once over first and check that the bed rollers are lowered below the table, check the infeed and outfeed rollers and cutterhead with a dial indicator, and lastly wax the bed. Buts that’s me, you could also just put it to work and check that’s stock is square and there’s no snipe.

[Ed Kestory]

Already started checking the rollers, rotating the shelix cutterhead, found a few broken ones. Luber and wax the bed are next. Ran a few boards through and it cuts square, surprisingly only some slight cutter lines with the broken cutters.

[Andrew Nemeth]

You did good! As mentioned previously, you really bought the planer for around $300 as the cutter head upgrade is close to $700 by itself.

I have the same model from the blue days of Jet. I’ve contemplated upgrading the cutter head but have never got around to it. I’ve run several thousand board feet through mine with no problems. Might want to change the oil in the gearbox if it’s that old, or at least drain a bit and make sure it’s clean and top it off if necessary.

[Ed Kestory]

The machine has been in use up to a couple weeks ago, it was in a workshop in a retirement community, everything seems to be dialed in with exception of a few cutters that need to be replaced, cuts nice and flat, the shelix head really hogs off some wood each pass, no hearing protection needed. I was going to buy the shelix for my dewalt anyway so I saved $400, and I already sold the dewalt for $400, so this planer did not cost me much.