Opinions on portable planers and sanders ? - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Charlie_1 · 12-16-2006, 09:33 PM

Will be picking up a portable planer and sander in the next 2 months and looking for input on which ones are better and as well trying to decide which would be better between a belt , disc, or drum sander ?
All Comments and suggestions welcome :-)

Steviegwood · 12-17-2006, 12:59 AM

Hi Charlie, I have two thickness planers and both are craftsman. One is a 12" and the other is 13". I am not saying craftsman is best but the 13" has a lock down feature and the 12" doesn't. Having compared the two I would not have one that did not lock down, There is a big differance. Steve

Marcel in Longueuil · 12-17-2006, 02:46 AM

Hi Charlie,

I have the DW(735?) 13" planer 3 knives 2 speeds. It's great! I love the smooth finish, no snipe to speak of, and adjusts easily. All in all, a nice purchase and well appreciated by magazine testers too.

And as far as the sander is concerned they each have their utility.

Belt & disk can often be found combined, and the drum sander is another beast in it's own category.

Belt/disk is more for shaping, where drum is more for surfacing. I hope I'm making myself clear in my descriptives.

lucky788scroller · 12-17-2006, 04:03 AM

I have the Ridgid 13 inch. I love the planer, and would recommend it to anyone. But, yes, heres to but, I would actually opt for one of the 2 speed models over the ridgid. The Delta one is a sweet machine. I dont have a belt/disc sander, someday. A performax drum sander is a priceless tool though, if you can afford one. Watch for deals. Dale

Charlie_1 · 12-17-2006, 05:37 PM

Thank you guys for the info

the planer will probably be a 12in cause I shouldnt need any more than that for now , and the sander will be the belt ,disc combination and as well will be picking up a small benchtop drill press and a new scrollsaw and as long as everything goes right ill pick those up in 2-3 months , maybe I can start making some decent work lol

Thank you

,

MikeDingas · 12-17-2006, 05:47 PM

Epinions has three reviews that may help you. Click here.

Rolf · 12-17-2006, 06:18 PM

I also have the Dewalt 13 inch I absolutley love it.
The day after you get the 12 inch you will need the 13.

Greenfield_Bob · 12-17-2006, 06:55 PM

I have a 12" Delta, it planes OK but snipe is bad.

Bob

BirdOasis · 12-17-2006, 07:26 PM

I bought a cheep harbor freight hand planer to help smooth out some cedar fence board I use to build birdhouse. It's great! Don't remember what I spent but it's got 3 blades, 2 speeds, and I can even use it as a jointer.

Harbor freight is the place for cheep tools. Mostly cheep manufactured as well, but this planer was a pleasent surprise.

Charlie_1 · 12-17-2006, 08:37 PM

Thank you All

The planers Ive been looking at is a craftsman 12 1/2 in and a delta 12 1/2in and kinda leaning towards the craftsman so far ..

very true Rolf lol

12-16-2006, 09:33 PM	#1
Charlie_1 Elmer Fudd The Duck Man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wyo Posts: 765	Opinions on portable planers and sanders ? Will be picking up a portable planer and sander in the next 2 months and looking for input on which ones are better and as well trying to decide which would be better between a belt , disc, or drum sander ? All Comments and suggestions welcome :-) __________________ Charlie "Everything Happens for a Reason" Craftsman 18in. 21609 My Projects http://www.freewebs.com/sscharlie

12-17-2006, 12:59 AM	#2
Steviegwood Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Arthur, WV Posts: 2,146	Hi Charlie, I have two thickness planers and both are craftsman. One is a 12" and the other is 13". I am not saying craftsman is best but the 13" has a lock down feature and the 12" doesn't. Having compared the two I would not have one that did not lock down, There is a big differance. Steve __________________ If This HillBilly Can't Fix it Then it Ain't Broke!!! My Gallery steve03@frontiernet.net

12-17-2006, 02:46 AM	#3
Marcel in Longueuil Gone to the Dark Side Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Québec, Canada Posts: 1,131	Hi Charlie, I have the DW(735?) 13" planer 3 knives 2 speeds. It's great! I love the smooth finish, no snipe to speak of, and adjusts easily. All in all, a nice purchase and well appreciated by magazine testers too. And as far as the sander is concerned they each have their utility. Belt & disk can often be found combined, and the drum sander is another beast in it's own category. Belt/disk is more for shaping, where drum is more for surfacing. I hope I'm making myself clear in my descriptives. __________________ http://marleb.com DW788. -Have fun in the shop or it isn't a hobby anymore. NOTE: No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

12-17-2006, 05:37 PM	#5
Charlie_1 Elmer Fudd The Duck Man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wyo Posts: 765	Thank you guys for the info the planer will probably be a 12in cause I shouldnt need any more than that for now , and the sander will be the belt ,disc combination and as well will be picking up a small benchtop drill press and a new scrollsaw and as long as everything goes right ill pick those up in 2-3 months , maybe I can start making some decent work lol Thank you , __________________ Charlie "Everything Happens for a Reason" Craftsman 18in. 21609 My Projects http://www.freewebs.com/sscharlie

12-17-2006, 05:47 PM	#6
MikeDingas Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 823	Epinions has three reviews that may help you. Click here. __________________ Mike Craftsman 16" VS, Puros Indios and Sam Adams! Scrollin' since Jun/2006 My Gallery http://scrollcrafters.com (reciprocal links welcomed)

12-17-2006, 04:03 AM	#4
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,260	I have the Ridgid 13 inch. I love the planer, and would recommend it to anyone. But, yes, heres to but, I would actually opt for one of the 2 speed models over the ridgid. The Delta one is a sweet machine. I dont have a belt/disc sander, someday. A performax drum sander is a priceless tool though, if you can afford one. Watch for deals. Dale

12-17-2006, 06:18 PM	#7
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,808	I also have the Dewalt 13 inch I absolutley love it. The day after you get the 12 inch you will need the 13. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

12-17-2006, 06:55 PM	#8
Greenfield_Bob Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 1,417	I have a 12" Delta, it planes OK but snipe is bad. Bob __________________ Delta P-20 & Q-3 Ever notice that anyone going slower than you is an idiot, but anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

12-17-2006, 07:26 PM	#9
BirdOasis Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Between Cheney and Spokane WA. Posts: 58	Harbor Freight planer. I bought a cheep harbor freight hand planer to help smooth out some cedar fence board I use to build birdhouse. It's great! Don't remember what I spent but it's got 3 blades, 2 speeds, and I can even use it as a jointer. Harbor freight is the place for cheep tools. Mostly cheep manufactured as well, but this planer was a pleasent surprise. __________________ John Patrick, Bird Oasis www.birdoasis.com Using Dewalt DW788. Working on a new line of birdhouses and bird feeders for the store. I welcome any and all ideas for bird friendly scrolling.

12-17-2006, 08:37 PM	#10
Charlie_1 Elmer Fudd The Duck Man Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wyo Posts: 765	Thank you All The planers Ive been looking at is a craftsman 12 1/2 in and a delta 12 1/2in and kinda leaning towards the craftsman so far .. very true Rolf lol __________________ Charlie "Everything Happens for a Reason" Craftsman 18in. 21609 My Projects http://www.freewebs.com/sscharlie

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