Is this a good planer?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=32222

It is only good if it is made in the U.S…

It’s OK as a first power plane, I wouldn’t depend on it for production work. Lots of guys here use them, check the archives for modifications and other opinions. A Bosch #1594K is about $50 more, and you’ll like it better; don’t get the single blade #3365. BTW, there are no planers made in the US anymore.

Stand up and salute the American tools.

Ignorance is bliss.

Cheers

Mooneemick

ITEM 91062-5VGA = ($39.00 verses $29.00)

If you need help PM me and I’ll help you get set up. Don’t spend your money on a fancy planner just yet!

Hey mountain rider, it is the chinese knock-off of the Hitachi, I have one and it works fine, for many years.

I switched out the front adjustment barrell from the Clark modified (that had taken a shit) and use it to knock down stringers with lots of glue on them.

This way I have a $30.00 planer that can do the dirty work and NOT worry about chipping or dulling the blades.

It’s a whole lot better than a sharp stick in the eye.

I’ll say it again, for you beginners, there is ABSOLUTELY no reason to spend a grand for the coveted Skil 100, when it will NOT help you one iota.

Get an inexpensive planer and find out its quirks, while you find out your quirks.

plus, some of the cheaper planers are alot lighter, therefore much easier to handle and control

just my 2 pennies, having only made a couple!

Made in the good ole US of A. If they are anything like American cars they’ll blow up on impact. Thank 20th century fox for the plug there.

Quality is made in japan

Hey Jim! That’s great advice. Most especially for this forum.

Hey Pete! My question is; Can you convert the depth adjustment to “free-flow” as easily as you can the single blade? Lowel

Hi McDing: The 3365 has a different depth adjustment according to Bosch’s diagram, it looks like it doesn’t have the springs and stuff that are removed on 1594 to make it “free flow”. Check it out…http://mdm.boschwebservices.com/MDMCache/t10/0000000/r00433v-1.pdf

Fixed the link

http://mdm.boschwebservices.com/MDMCache/t10/0000000/r00433v-1.pdf

You think that one will work ok Michael? I’m pretty scared of Harbor Freight stuff.

http://grizzly.com/products/Heavy-Duty-3-1-4-Portable-Planer/H3141

For the money get this one for your starter planer. Harbor Freight Sucks Hard.

Take the guide off. Pull off the sock and hook it up to a shop vac or dust collection system. This baby is powerful and does a good job. I still use it to clean glue lines. I like my Clark Hitachi all customized. However this Grizzle is a good one to start with. I shaped my first 200 boards with this one many years ago.

There actually made better today as the standards are improving and this factory has ISO9000 in place. Can’t beat it for the price.

Thanks. I think I’ll get one of those. Their mills and lathes have a good reputation also.

Just ordered this one http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=91062

I like the left right chute. Plan to use it for cleaning up outlines. Especially the nose and the tail.

I’ve tried the Bosch but I like this Black and Decker a lot better. http://www.blackanddecker.com/ProductGuide/Product-Details.aspx?ProductID=6546

It’s small, light and easy to handle. The handle on top is the adjustment knob too. It has a bag to catch the dust. Don’t usually use the bag but sometimes it comes in handy.