HF has their power planer on sale for 29.99. Specs
- High performance 5.5 amp motor runs at 16,500 RPM max
- 33,000 cuts per minute
- Alloy steel blades cut to a depth of 1/16’‘
- Ball bearing construction for long life
- Left/right dust chute
- Safety-lock off button prevents accidental starts
- Comes with rabbeting guide
120V/60Hz, 5.5 amps, Planing width: 0 to 3-1/4’‘; Planing depth: 0 to 1/16’‘; Shoe plate dimensions: 3-1/4’’ W x 6-1/2’’ L; Guide dimensions: 3-/14’’ x 2-7/8’’ L
Have a look at http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91062
I got two Makita knockoffs several years ago on fleabay. They are still running well, though both of them lost their drive belts within a week of each other. I replaced with belts from the Makita store, and while I was there, compared my two to the real thing. They were identical, down to the casting marks on the tool housing. This HF unit may not be the same (the depth adjustment is different) but for a backyard guy, quite the deal. I remember skinning blanks with a surform — an all afternoon affair. Keep me away from the belt sander.