I know everyone uses hitachi planers but is there a real difference between cheap ryobi or makita or other brands like rigid ect. Should I just get the hitachi ?
I got the hitachi p20sb from sears.com as the local store does not have it. Also, it is cheaper to order it online. Fyi- I paid $104.00 otd! Awsum deal. It’s stock, and I’m leaving mine alone for now. Just shaping a few boards here n there anyways.
As for ryobi or makita? Well, I owned a cheaper makita planer briefly- forgot what model it was? But it looks a lot like the hitachi and worked well enough to shape a decent board!? Prob not much dif? I think folks go for the hitachi cuz of good price maybe??
I’m going to get the P20SB also. I think the only diff from the other higher priced Hitachi is that there’s a dust collector spout for a vacum and the P20SB doesn’t.
http://www2.swaylocks.com/node/1029487
Clark chose the Hitachi to modify after evaluating several candidates. But that was a long time ago, and there's some new tools that might be just as usable - and some that might be better for some applications (that Makita looks good for heavy mowing).
Any planer you look at, make sure it's configured properly for shaping. The motor/drive system has to out of the way (not too wide or underhanging baseplate). The front of the planer should be low to the shoe, and comfortable for the hand to hold. The adjustment should be right there where your hand wants to sit, because you'll want to modify for on-the-fly adjustment after you shape a few. The lower and more aft the rear handle/trigger location the better.
The Hitachi has the advantage of having some cool ''how to mod'' info right here on sways.
Whatever you get, the stock bearings are likely worthless. Change them as soon as they start to make any noise or bind in the least.
I use the Black and Decker right out of the box with no mods. Bought the last one for $45 online brand new. You usually find them for sixty bucks or so.
They have a nice big depth adjustment knob.
I’ve used these mostly for the last 18 years. Tried a Bosch didn’t like it as much. Basically the same thing for more money. Tried a Harbor Freight. Had to make too many mods and it quit working so I threw it away.
Have worn a few out but for the money so what? Never shape foam so I don’t know about that but I like them for balsa.
Howzit Bill, When you think about it all planers are made for planing wood in the first place and not foam. Aloha,Kokua
Howzit. I had a Harbor Freight POS - it worked well enough… Now I have a Maktta 810 - it is really nice!
Good point Kokua. As i’ve said before, it amuses me when shapers discuss which door planer they prefer for shaping surfboards.
Not only were they designed to plane wood, but wood that’s denser that balsa, generally. People are astonished that I use a cheap planer to shape wood, Surfboard balsa is actually not much denser than the foam of the sixties. And the B&D planer works for me because it is short, light, has a nice big adjustment knob. I follow my shaping gurus advice (Jime the Genius) and only take very small cuts anyway.
I had to get a belt for one of mine not too long ago and the repair shop guy told me he repaired a lot of Skils for surfboard shapers over the years (lots of sb shapers here in Brevard County Fl). He thought that they only used them to shape the stringers though. I told him they were for shaping the whole board and he was surprised.
Howzit Bill, I was going to mention the fact about them being desined for wood harder than balsa but felt that that was obvious to anyone who works with wood also. I am stil looking for skill 100s here in Havasu and have a feeling I will come across one soon at a garage sale. Aloha,Kokua