My old faithful Ryobi L22 decided it was high time for retirement just this morning. Since parts are no longer made (at least many of them), I had to make a quick decision to replace it and I finally opted for the big F30A by Hitachi. A few passes with it had me fully convinced that the choice was good. That thing is powerful yet smooth and it swallows those big mahogany/poplar/mahogany T-bands with not even a change in motor’s running speed. I spent a few hours doing some basic modifications (grinding down edges, filling up the V-groove in the front shoe…) and it’s now ready for this 9’8" noserider…
Only thing is, does anybody know if I could get the Clark modification device for “on the fly” depth of cut? I know that they did it for this one planer a few years ago. Besides, it should not be quite different from the more common P20SB. Can someone help me?
I did PM MikeDaniel who provided a very clever “crude but effective” way of dealing with the problem. As he sent me some photos of the device (thanks again Janklow for the technical help…) and suggested that others could benefit f’rom them, here they are. As they say, a photo is worth a thousand words:
Hey, Balsa…Back in Feb, 2006 I bought a Clark Hitachi which was actually a Clark shop demo from Jeff at Shaper’s Edge. Jeff is the main guy as far as the Clark Hitachi planers are concerned; he helped design them. I was also able to procure some replacement blades shaperned to the correct angle for mowing foam from Jeff, too. He’s a great guy to work with. His email address is jeff@shapersedge.com.
I’ve been interested in the bigger Hitachi myself…where did you get it, what type of plug does it have and do you know of a source in the US that might have one?
I know where to find them here in France but that would not help you much as they are 220V and with different plugs from yours, I believe… (Same problem for us when we want a Hitachi/Clark: Seabase does import them, but they come in 110V and with YOUR plugs…)
I recently purchased a fine Skill 100 from Carl Olsen (waiting for it to make it to France in my friend Jeffrey’s parents luggage when they come in October) and I know that I’ll have to buy a power adapter for it…
I recently purchased a fine Skill 100 from Carl Olsen (waiting for it to make it to France in my friend Jeffrey’s parents luggage when they come in October) and I know that I’ll have to buy a power adapter for it…
so you got the other from carl! so they both came to europe!
ive used mine on two boards now real nice.
i just got a 110v transformer from a tool shop and run both my hitachi and skil from that
I can't believe it! No Hitachi dealer in the US?
Howzit balsa, Can't be true since I know of at least 4 dealers here on Kauai that sell Hitachi tools.Aloha,Kokua
apart from the prices we get charged for materials!!!</blockquote></div>
Now, here’s a good point. You’re so right!!!
Here’s a funny story: some years ago (must have been in 1990 or so), Clark Foam blanks, Silmar or Reichold resins and Hexcel fiberglass used to be taxed as materials imports HIGHER than fully finished surfboards here in France… I wonder if that has changed since? I admit that i have not had much time to inquire about it…
apart from the prices we get charged for materials!!!
Now, here’s a good point. You’re so right!!!
Here’s a funny story: some years ago (must have been in 1990 or so), Clark Foam blanks, Silmar or Reichold resins and Hexcel fiberglass used to be taxed as materials imports HIGHER than fully finished surfboards here in France… I wonder if that has changed since? I admit that i have not had much time to inquire about it…
was in california last month and the prices on resin and other materials!! so cheap! €550 for 225kg of silmar! €1350 from seabase!! how does it cost so much!!! what are you using balsa? tried to get some reichold resins company has none in europe anymore!!??
no no theres plenty of people selling hitachi planners benn to a bunch of distributores websites …but no one seems to be stocking the F30A…pleny of small weak little planers
was in california last month and the prices on resin and other materials!! so cheap! €550 for 225kg of silmar! €1350 from seabase!! how does it cost so much!!! what are you using balsa? tried to get some reichold resins company has none in europe anymore!!??
According to my last Seabase catalog (pro prices), 225 Kgs of Silmar are 1073.70 Euros, taxes included, here in France. (It may have increased a little bit lately). That would make approximately $1500.00… Making boards in Europe ain’t easy, guys… Prices are especially high on fiberglass cloth. Jeffrey SWARTWOOD tells me he is frightened by the french prices on fiberglass. A roll of 6 oz Hexcel, 5.5 oz actually, (regular E glass) goes for 348.75 Euros or approximately $488. What are the prices in, say, California?
Pauluk, I get almost all my materials from “Viralsurf”, as they are five minutes away from my shop. Driving up to Hossegor can be a pain in the ass in summer, so I use Seabase only for very specific items like True Ames fins for instance. I get Burford blanks, Silmar resin and Hexcel cloth through Viralsurf.
There’s a shipchandler over here in St Jean de Luz that carries Reichold resin, I believe.
