Originally Posted by
Jon Endres
I have a Ridgid TP1300 'lunchbox' planer, which has served me well for 10+ years. I have extra blades and I am pretty meticulous about clean lumber, so it still cuts well. I have an opportunity to pick up a Jet JWP-15 planer, the generic 15" planer that a dozen different companies have sold and continue to sell. This is the model with the single-sided knives, not the newer one with 'quick-change' knives like my Ridgid has. I am a little concerned that this might not be a great investment, although the Jet planer is in good shape, clean and functional. I've read that it is unusually loud for a planer, it has a tendency to snipe badly, and the cut quality is not the best. On the other hand, it is wider than my current model, nice and heavy, and I can retrofit a Shelix head. Parts are also readily available - not so much so for the Ridgid. Finally, the price appears to be reasonable, less than half of what a new one sells for. If you were in this situation what would be your thoughts?
I had a Delta 22-540 lunchbox planer that I used for about 20 years. I was content most of that time but then it became a little long in the tooth and even replacing parts wasn't lasting long. So I bought a Dewalt 735X. The noise was bone-rattling loud! Before every use I'd put in ear plugs and then don noise-cancelling headphones. It was still loud. It got so I dreaded using the 735. Though my neighbors commented on the noise, none complained but it bothered me they could hear it with their doors and windows closed.
A particularly difficult wood brought the 735 to its knees. I had to send it to Dewalt for repair. They lost it and sent me a new one. I took advantage of the added value of factory boxed planer and sold it. Then bit the bullet and bought a Hammer A3-31 with Silent Power cutterhead. I could hear myself think again! It's crazy quiet!
As to the one-sided straight knives on the JWP-15, you may not be happy after having the quick change knives. I had a 6" jointer with "manual set" knives and hated how long it took to get the knives set right. But I can often have the patience of a four-year old.
The tendency to snipe badly would be another concern for me. I conquered that with the Delta by building a mobile cart that had additional length infeed and outfeed tables. The outfeed side was about 36" long and really helped in eliminating any snipe. I also used adjustable height rollers with longer boards.
In the end I guess it depends on how much you're willing to tackle and how much time and money it will take to get the planer to work to your satisfaction.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness..." - Mark Twain