You might want to check this new planer out.They have one for sale on Ebay right now item#437146310.Keith Melville and I have been talking with the fellow that is making them.He is straight up.This is the first prototype.Kind of a work in progress.(and no…me and Keith have no financial intersest in this deal.Just trying to help the guy out and give us shapers an alternative). RB
SOrry…I aslo misspelet interest or is it inntrat or incest or…
Just wanted to note that, although I’ve traded ideas with this guy, I have NOT had a chance to check out this planer with its modifications, so can’t say yet whether or not I would buy one myself for shaping purposes…
Keith, did you mention the helical planer heads to him too?
I have a question (which has probably been discussed before): Is there such a thing as a cordless planer? Seems like it would be very useful.
And, what about something that could be operated with one hand, like those small oscillating sanders?
The only thing I can see on that planer that I wouldn’t like is the where the trigger is located…Kind of “straight-on” parrallel with the shoes, no?
Bosch makes a cordless planer.
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SOrry..I aslo misspelet interest or is it inntrat or incest or....
Cleanlines, what you need to do is make up words as you go. That way no one knows that you have miss spelled them. Oh ya it is just the net. Even I don’t miss spell that.
I’d be worried about being able to service the tool when something breaks- could be as big of a pain in the ass as a Skil. -Carl
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Quote:SOrry…I aslo misspelet interest or is it inntrat or incest or…
Cleanlines, what you need to do is make up words as you go. That way no one knows that you have miss spelled them.
precisely…it works for ambrose!
Has anyone in swaylocks ever used this planer? I like the stainless finish and rugged looks but as tenover points out, the trigger’s position is a little funky.
I also noticed that with 5 more days to go its already at ~$150. I’m pretty sure the end auction price will be more than that then add shipping. With the hitachi going for ~$250 at foamez, it’s not that good of a deal, right?
Then again, I know very little about planers and this planer might be like a skill in terms of weight and quality?
Rio
I agree, at $150 it’s interesting and would be willing to try it. To bad they don’t have a buy it now price to see what they really want for it, they are probably just testing the waters on pricing. Not every shaper is using a Skil 100, I’ve seen plenty of nice boards made by other brand planers. I personnally like the bosch planers.
Well, yeah, I agree - but the guy is apparently throwing in extra brushes and belts, and there really isn’t a hell of a lot else that can go. If they do, say bearings or trigger switches, etc, that’s off the shelf somewhere, standard size or close enough.
Motor work, say rebuilding an armature, that I usually get done at the place local that rebuilds starters and generators.
Yes, it’s a pain. But it might be less of a pain than using the mediocre plastic ‘tools’ you can get parts for.
'Course, that’s me. Plastic ticks me off…
doc…
I agree with Doc on all counts. Beyond brushes and belts, you can usually put on lots of miles before any work is needed especially on the older well built tools. Chances are, and depending on how many hours per day it’s used, this planer could last decades without service and, as Doc stated, the feel of a metal tool is better for the soul.
I have been talking a lot with the owner of the planers.I told him about Swaylocks and he was stoked about the site.He can give you a heads up on these good questions you are asking.He told me he had registered on the site so maybe he will talk to you guys this evening. RB
Hey, gents- …as may have become obvious on the earlier ‘modify a planer’ thread…
I like futzing with tools, fixing 'em or modifying/truing/lapping/sharpening the things. Better than TV for a man who keeps a small rolling tool cabinet ( http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47489 - handy size and they go cheaper on sales) in his living room. By extension, futzing with computers and etc.
And it really isn’t all that hard to do. Like you guys are hinting, it’s kinda theraputic too.
In fact, now that I think of it, I have a little project - fixing and futzing with a Milwaukee right-angle drill that is probably damn near as old as I am. Parts have to be extinct, so I get to …tinker with it a bit, see what i can find from the scrap pile and modify to fit.
heee… life is good.
doc…
I asked the person if they had more planers, here’s the reply: Hi. We have more of these planers that we can modify. A lot depends on how this auction goes and if we get a decent price. We will only fix one up to fill an order or in aticipation of a paid order. What you see is the finished product. You may want to check the posting on swaylocks and also email the shaper we list. Thanks for your interest. Lorin decolgd
Rio
PS I liked that they referenced swaylocks
Decolgd – let me introduce myself. I’m the guy that designed and built the on-the-fly mod for this planer on the invitation of several people, shapers, who told me that is what shapers wanted. What you see is not the first effort – it’s about the sixth iteration that we thought was worthy of offering to shaper users. Prior to the mod, we sold these planers to woodworkers who love fine tools. We have been selling replacement electric tool repair parts since 1982 so we have more than 20 years in the business. During part of that time, we also repaired tools, and still do a few, such as motors for Powr Kraft and Shopmate radial arm saws. In many cases we were able to provide replacement parts after the original OEM parts inventory was exhausted. So we may have limited experience with tools for shapers, but we have lots of experience with tools and parts for other trades. And now to try an answer some of your questions -
Re: the trigger location – can’t do much about that.
Re sales to shapers – we sold the first one to a shaper in NC last week and he and two of his shaper friends checked it out. As noted in our listing, he invites you to email and ask about it. Please feel free to do so – you don’t have anything to lose.
About Hitachi – we are not trying to compete with Hitachi, we are trying to offer a modestly priced alternative to the Skil, a planer that operates like it does. Weight and power are comparable, as is depth control.
Pricing – we are testing the waters to see if the price is worth the work of the mod, or vice versa.
Spare parts – we have spare parts available, including armatures, fields, and even blade shafts. Very few spare body parts.
Service – as tools go, this one is relatively easy to service. Once the pulleys are off, you can remove the blade shaft or the armature by taking off the respective cover on the right side, 3 or 4 screws each.
Will be happy to answer any other questions you may have. And I understand – you don’t know me or our planer.
Lorin
Probably the only bad thing about the planer is the trigger location. I own an old one of these that I picked up at a garage sale for a heck of a deal. However, my trigger finger now barely fits. So, I would be careful to buy one if you have medium to fat fingers. Motor has power though.