I'm going to be expanding my shop - I'm going from all portable stuff that is really too small for my needs, to a dedicated area with machines that are permanent. 1st thing I need is a planer. My dewalt is 12.5 inches, and even though it is good, many times it is not quite big enough, and this fall I ran into a situation where I needed some wide boards planed. The biggest I might tackle would be in the lower teens, but I did have some 22+ inch boards that I had to do. I'd rather not outsource stuff, cause I just don't have the time, hence I'd like to get a machine capable of doing the job. That leads to my question...... Who makes the best 20+ inch planer???? I was looking around for some used Powermatic machines, but many that I find are 18 inch. I'm not in a hurry, as my new shop is several months to a year from being ready for any machines. Weight is not an issue, and I will have a 220 service in my shop, probably up to about 100 amp, single phase. That's another question - should I specifically look for single phase machines, or would a 3 phase and a converter do fine? Also I like something that is not near as loud as my dewalt. I need Ear muffs for mine, but when I had to take a few boards this fall to be planed, the shop I went to had a big planer, and it was quiet. I'm not sure what brand it was, but I did not recognize the brand, but it was green and had a digital depth adjustment. The guys using it had ear plugs, but I was standing only a few feet away and could carry on a conversation in a talking voice. Is that the big deal with the helical cutter head (that they're quiet), or is it the fact that a guy can change just one little square when it gets damaged/dull.
Rodney
Rodney