Skolzie

Hi. I'm new here, and not sure where I'm at, so I'll try and do this right. I am looking at a used planer, CENTRAL MACHINERY 12" model #95082. Seller claims he only planed a small quanity of boards. Please comment on the quality and reliability of said machine. Thanks! Skolzie. mobilunit4@frontiernet.net

Tony B

tools. Motors and bearings burn out regularly. If you buy new from them, get the insurance and they will exchange things with no problem. it's just that you have to drive there regularly to exchange stuff.
I still buy stuff from HF, but not power tools.

Tony B

Handyman

I second what Tony B said. I buy from HF, things like clamps, ods and ends, but not power tools They seem to be low quality. I have a few air nailers and staple guns that have held up well.

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GeorgeC

I assume that HF stands for Harbor Freight?? (What ever happened to the practice we were taught in English Class of first fully spelling out anything before using the initials eg. Harbor Freight (HF)?)

I have bought small cheap power tools such as a 4 1/2" grinder that I would use for occasional jobs.

I do not think I would purchase a major power tool there. Air tools may be OK.

G

mdlbldrmatt135

I've had good luck with air tools and odds / ends like clamps and some hand tools... but not powertools.......

16ga

I would not get it.

I have no experience with that exact planer but I do have a HF 10" that I got used. Its almost 10 years old and can’t get any parts for it.
Plus my dealings with the company have been less then pleasant. Bought a few things from them and think the only thing that didn’t fall apart was a hammer. Also found there costumer service to be very poor.

Just my opinion but I’m staying as far away from that company as I can now.

dbhost

If you read the reviews that you can find of their various machines, many owners have had excellent results with the 14" Band Saws, 6, and 7" jointers (albeit with a crummy fence), the 2HP dust collector (with some modifications) is in a LOT of woodworkers shops for good reason, and several models of drill presses are proving out to be good machines. HOWEVER, I have never heard any kind words on Central Machinery (Harbor Freight's house brand for electric power tools) benchtop tools, specifically the planers. Save your money and pick up a Ryobi AP1300 or Ridgid R4330 if you can find one used. I have an AP1301, which is an okay planer, but it lacks the infeed / outfeed tables and cutterhead locks of the now discontinued AP1300... The AP1301 is reported by several posters to lack a cutter head lock, but from what I can read in the owners manual, there is one. If you want to go with a new Planer, the AP1301 is a good unit. I have been very happy with mine so far...

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Skolzie

Many thanks to the input on the Central Machinery planer. It's available for $100 off original price, but I still will pass. I am skeptical of Central Machinery equipment, and the responses reinforced my thinking. Skolzie.