Bench Top Planer - Woodworking Talk

Oscar · 04-06-2009, 09:17 PM

I'm needing to secure a finish planer and have just been aproached about a new in the box Dewalt 375 and am wondering if anybody might have some personal and/or professional experience with this model?? I've read on a couple of sites that the planer has knife and drive gear issues. However, I've read far more reviews that give it an excellent rating and point to user error and/or lack of ability. So, I'm thoroughly confused and would like help fiiguring it out. I'm also open to suggestions about planers.

To give some insight to maybe help with this:

I have a VERY large qty of rough cut Red Oak that's 100+ y.o. that we're ready(ing) for a build (Timber Frame). It's mostly 2x4 and 2x6 8'-16' and theres over a 100 of them. I have this wonderful 1937 circ. , 12", 3 knife, 4 hp Parks Planer that makes wood shavings like you can't believe. It's just the ticket for reducing to near dimension but is a little too aggresive for "fine" finishing, so the plan is to reduce the full 2" to 1" 7/8 (where necessary) by using the parks and then finishing off with the bench top. Now if anyone sees a problem (or 2,3 etc... .) with my logic, or lack thereof, please let me know. I'm truly open to constructive criticism/feedback, as I've learned to accept it as the one true way (for me) to learn

PLEASE, let it fly as one thing I'm confident in, is that there are folks on this site who have experience that I don't and I'm more than willing to learn from (mistakes of) others. Thank you in advance,

scar

jeffreythree · 04-06-2009, 09:39 PM

I borrowed my neighbor's while I was considering one and my replacement blades on my Ryobi were on intergalactic backorder. The disposable knives only lasted about 100bdft on oak, maple, and walnut. $55 a 3 pack for replacements. I am currently sticking with my Ryobi(now that I can find blades again) until I can make up my mind on something else. I don't think disposable blades were made with larger scale wood production in mind. It did give a very nice finish with little snipe.