Need A New Planer (not A Grizzly) - FineWoodworking

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elmaduro | Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on January 27, 2021 01:18pm

Just returned a Grizzly G0889z 13″ planer with the spiral cutterhead for a full refund. The cutterhead left micro-ridges and the infeed table sat below the base tray, resulting in a bump-step when feeding stock. The infeed table elevation was also non-adjustable. I also could not reduce snipe despite all the good suggestions from a previous post.

My old Ridgid planer has a new owner, so now looking for a new one. Would like to stay in the 13″ spiral cutterhead benchtop market and wondering if anyone has any good or bad recommendations / experiences with other brands?

Replies

bilyo | Jan 27, 2021 02:42pm | #1
I've had a DeWalt #433 for many years and, if I had to buy another, I wouldn't even shop around. It has been excellent. I can't speak to the spiral cutter head. I don't know if you can buy a DeWalt with it pre-installed. However, I do understand that you can buy replacement spiral head cutters for them. Mine does so well with the standard head, I have never even considered making the change.

MTChains | Feb 05, 2021 08:09pm | #18
Dw 733?

john_c2 | Jan 27, 2021 03:25pm | #2
I've had a Dewalt two blade benchtop for a very long time, and have been very pleased. I go a long time between blade changes. I wouldn't try to put a spiral head in it though. I've heard too many mixed things about a spiral cutterhead in a low power machine.

elmaduro | Jan 28, 2021 09:22am | #3
Thanks gents. Will check out the DW433. Really wish I would have kept my old one ‘till the new one checked out good..

andy104 | Jan 29, 2021 05:21am | #4
Love the dewalt 2 blade. Never misses a beat
MillstShop | Jan 29, 2021 09:01am | #5
I have the newer Dewalt and I installed the Shelix head, couldn’t be happier.
thebardowl | Jan 29, 2021 11:02am | #6
As part of my workshop build-up recently, I purchased a DW 735X, and am thus far very pleased. Occasional battles with minor end snipe, but nothing truly annoying. I’ve had it for about two months, and used it a fair amount, mostly with softwoods, though it did an excellent job with some red oak for an end table. I like the dual-speed option and the three blades, though I can’t claim a direct comparison with the two-blade variant except indirectly through others.

Right now, if I were to make the decision again, I’d end up in the same place.

john_c2 | Jan 29, 2021 11:16am | #7
I'd love to have room for a big 21 inch planer, but I really don't. If my two cutter Dewalt died tomorrow, I'd almost certainly go with the 735x

thebardowl | Jan 29, 2021 07:47pm | #8
My father had one of the two-cutter versions, and it did well by him. One of the reasons I went with the Dewalt—as well as size, and, of course, price. I’ve read that others think that replacing the cutterhead is necessary to really be happy with it, but I’m not seeing that so far.

chuck66 | Jan 29, 2021 10:14pm | #9
I can vouch for the shelix head. Worth every penny
user-6822566 | Jan 29, 2021 11:09pm | #10
I've owned a DW 735 for a couple of years. I installed a set of three carbide tipped knives from infinitytools.com, which are less expensive and much easier to install than the Shelix head. Excellent results.
thebardowl | Jan 30, 2021 10:22am | #11
Well, to meander back toward the OP’s original request, I’m not seeing much from folks about 13” planers with spiral/helical heads (as delivered—it’s clear that the Shelix head option is a viable one, for those willing to go that route.)

One that I would expect to show up in conversation is the JET 722130 JWP-13BT “helical style” planer. I’ve not spoken directly to anyone who’s used or has one, but it could be in the running, I’d think.

There is (or maybe was) a Wahuda 13” spiral-type planer as well (Model Model 40100H-CT), though I understand they’ve had huge problems with damage during shipping, etc., and the issue(s) have required some significant re-tooling of their own processes as well as close consideration of packing and shipping protocols. Much lower price, but.... (Disclosure—I did go with their 8” benchtop jointer, and thus far find it...acceptable.)

Rikon offers a “helical style” 13” planer as well: Model 25-130H. I’ve heard good things, but can’t say much else. My own experience with Rikon is limited to a couple months with a modest dust collection system with which I’m satisfied, though not willing to offer superlatives.

I’d certainly be interested in hearing from others about the above, or other options.
mkegel | Jan 30, 2021 01:15pm | #12
You can find a used INCA for around $500. Only 10" but jointer included and a superb lifetime machine.
user-2371363 | Jan 30, 2021 01:16pm | #13
I too would like to hear about more 12 inch planners. Especially ones with helical style cutters. I have a delta planner that works and that's about all I can say about it. Well it has bad snipe without a backer board, the feed system is not totally consistent and the feed rollers have poor grip. Maybe its just old and dried out like me.
muskokalayne | Jan 30, 2021 01:43pm | #14
I have had the dewalt 735 for 13 years and upgraded it with the shelix the knives got very expensive so I made the switch and could not be happier.hope this helps cheers.

elmaduro | Jan 31, 2021 07:00am | #17
It does.. thanks to all who replied. Leaning towards the Dewalt for now and maybe upgrading it when the time is right.

user-7737453 | Jan 30, 2021 04:45pm | #15
I'm on my second DeWalt 735. The first was in service trouble free for nearly 20 years, and its replacement came for $305 via the DeWalt service program (if cost of repairs nears or exceeds that base amount a brand new replacement is provided). Damage to the roller/feeding system may have been user error and the authorized DeWalt Service Center that it was sent to on their dime was backlogged hence the new replacement option. A few comments: DeWalt customer service is a challenge, and the web site looks great but functions horribly so one needs persistence and patience; the three cutter blades work great if you are careful to avoid nicking them, but they can be shifted a bit to move the nick out of line (replacements are reasonably priced); competively priced units with "spherical" cutter heads are not really spherical, and ones I've seen in use are not much, if any an advantage as they are more linear and only have two rather than four cutting sides. The Shelix cutters are the significant upgrade, but very pricey as an add-on and could almost double the cost if a new 735 is so equipped. I find the DeWalt a workhorse for a benchtop model and a good value.
ch00ch00man | Jan 31, 2021 12:25am | #16
boy can i commiserate about grizzly quality decline. i am a hobbyist, but run a fairly professional shop. a few years back, when i was building it out, i decided on grizzly based on nothing but glowing reviews.

that should have been my first clue as the only reason there are nothing but glowing reviews is because grizzly doesn't publish anything negative said about them.

i am in a bit of a different boat then most hobbyists as i don't hurt for money. so i decided to splurge and buy grizzly extreme and industrial grade machines. so i ordered; G0696X (table saw), G0531b (band saw), G1033X (planer) and G7948 (drill press). of the four machines purchased, the table saw is the only machine that did not need extensive repairs.

the band saw blew a linear rectifier the first time i turned it on. after having it replaced, i them discovered that it took out the key lockout as well, so that needed to be replaced. a few months later a start cap went belly up and a few months after that a thrust bearing in the blade tension mechanism completely disintegrated.

the planer arrived with a short in the motor that kept tripping the breaker. after a number of contentious phone calls a new motor was sent leaving it to me to install it. so much for buying new.

the drill press, to this day, still doesn't function properly. the spindle was not machined correctly and the quill will literally fall out from time to time. also the run out on the quill makes for drilling accurate holes all but impossible.

while grizzly tech support is excellent, their customer service is abysmal. i cannot recommend strongly enough that everyone should just stay away from them. i am in the process of selling all my grizzly machines and giving oliver a try. a lot more expensive, but my sanity is well worth it.
user-7818920 | Feb 05, 2021 08:36pm | #19
There is a new helical head (actually a Shelix) lunchbox planer coming from Oliver of all companies, they sent one to Philip Morley to test and it looks awesome. Word is it will be in the $700-900 range. Oliver is doing some cool stuff lately.
jpe52 | Feb 05, 2021 11:57pm | #20
Just an echo of the DeWalt 735X comments. I've had mine for ~6 months and have used it quite a bit with excellent results. So far, I have no motivation to install a shelix.
mschlack | Feb 06, 2021 10:43am | #21
Someone asked about the Rikon 13". I have one. It's good, not great. It has carbide inserts, although not a true helical pattern. They also only have two edges. A full set runs $90 if I remember correctly, and you'll be replacing them perhaps every 2-3 years or more if you're using this daily.

The planer gives a good finish, to be sure. Snipe is another story. The infeed/outfeed adjustment screws are kind of dinky and prone to vibrating loose. I find that they don't support the tables well enough. The main consequence is that heavier boards can flex the tables downward, and you get snipe at the last end through. You can sometimes overcome this by supporting the underside of the board with your hands as it exits. But not always. So I would say it kind of depends. Sorry for not being more definitive. Just to say it's not the same as a 20" Powermatic floorstander, to be sure. But I don't think it's worse than my old Dewalt 725 knife-based planer -- that suffered from snipe, too, and the knives were not happy with maple and some other really hard woods.
mikefromma | Sep 14, 2021 10:24am | #22
Does anyone have any updates to this discussion? I'm looking to get a benchtop planer. There are several helical or hybrid planers now, and many are two speed. It seems hard to pick from among them based on spec. Dewalt seems like the most popular, but has anyone found reviews that compare the 735 to Laguna's PX12, Jet JWP, Wahuda's planer (just released), Oliver (not available), and so on?
pantalones868 | Sep 14, 2021 05:28pm | #23
Oliver not available? To me comparing the Oliver to the laguna from pictures they look just the same. If the Oliver has a true Byrd Shelix and it's only a couple hundred more than something else..... Has there been some big company change with Oliver ,anyone know? Someone mentioned in this thread about finding Incas at around $500. Where are these $500 Incas? I want a small planer with an induction motor. The scream of all these planers with universal motors is just too much! I have an ancient Delta. I had one for years and it serviced me well and then finally packed it in about a year ago. I looked into what was available and decided that the Dewalt seemed like the best bet. The Delta is basically obsolete, no longer supported by the manufacturer for parts except for blades. But then someone listed one on Craigslist for $150 had light use and I had extra belts and blades and a whole set up designed around the Delta( and now because I have the one that died I had the potential for spare parts) and I needed it right away , and then there was the plague , so I bought it. These companies come and go or get bought out by Black and Decker so your lifetime tools aren't lifetime anymore. Once upon a time you could have the most ancient machine and any part was available. I had one of those pre Rockwell Porter Cable belt sanders, the worm drive that looked like a Choo Choo train. You could get any part until about 6 years ago. Then you couldn't get any part. Repair man claimed that all the spare parts went to the dump! It could be true, Porter Cable got bought out and the parts for their older models seem to have instantly vanished! Dewalt appears to be around for the long haul and it's not unreasonable to think you might still have that planer in 20 years.