Paul Fitzgerald
01-01-2008, 1:47 AM
I purchased a Ridgid R4330 Thickness Planer in November and a Delta 28-276 Bandsaw in December in preparation for building dozens of small keepsake boxes (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=72121) for my June wedding. They're my first planer and bandsaw.
The planer required absolutely no adjustment and left a silky smooth finish on everything I threw at it. I purchased a Wixey Planer Digital Readout and managed to get it installed even though the brackets didn't fit. Strangely, I feel more comfortable using a set of dial calipers, so I may sell the Wixey soon. I couldn't have been happier with the planer.
The bandsaw was just the opposite. It was completely unusable out of the box and took nearly a month to get its problems resolved. The biggest problem, a poorly welded stand top, has finally been fixed. To help it run and cut better I installed a link belt, urethane tires, cool blocks, and a wood slicer blade. I'm pretty dang happy with the outcome.
I decided to build a mobile stand for the planer based on an article by Bob Lang in Popular Woodworking. It's just an open frame design, but I may add a couple drawers later. It cost me about than $30 in lumber and about $35 for the casters.
In building this project I was able get some good planer time and was finally able to use the bandsaw. I love this planer! I'm extremely happy with my purchase. The bandsaw still isn't as good as it could be, but I'm starting to love it too. In fact, they're my new favorite tools! :D
Paul
The planer required absolutely no adjustment and left a silky smooth finish on everything I threw at it. I purchased a Wixey Planer Digital Readout and managed to get it installed even though the brackets didn't fit. Strangely, I feel more comfortable using a set of dial calipers, so I may sell the Wixey soon. I couldn't have been happier with the planer.
The bandsaw was just the opposite. It was completely unusable out of the box and took nearly a month to get its problems resolved. The biggest problem, a poorly welded stand top, has finally been fixed. To help it run and cut better I installed a link belt, urethane tires, cool blocks, and a wood slicer blade. I'm pretty dang happy with the outcome.
I decided to build a mobile stand for the planer based on an article by Bob Lang in Popular Woodworking. It's just an open frame design, but I may add a couple drawers later. It cost me about than $30 in lumber and about $35 for the casters.
In building this project I was able get some good planer time and was finally able to use the bandsaw. I love this planer! I'm extremely happy with my purchase. The bandsaw still isn't as good as it could be, but I'm starting to love it too. In fact, they're my new favorite tools! :D
Paul