$274.00 and I’m keeping out of this one!
Howzit everysurfer,This is one you probably should have gone for since the seller has a good rating and that is one thing to consider when bidding on ebay. When ever I use the site and see something I am interested in I check the sellers rating and any other info they have on him. Aloha,Kokua
I saw your post and thought huh I wonder if anyone ever sells these in NZ. I looked on trademe, our version of e-bay, and picked this up for NZ$40.00 (about $30 US). I've got a couple of planers and wasn't looking for or even particularly wanted one of these. But sheesh you can't buy an electric can opener here for 40 bucks.
I saw your post and thought huh I wonder if anyone ever sells these in NZ. I looked on trademe, our version of e-bay, and picked this up for NZ$40.00 (about $30 US). I've got a couple of planers and wasn't looking for or even particularly wanted one of these. But sheesh you can't buy an electric can opener here for 40 bucks.
"not looking for or even particularly wanted one of these".....$75 AUD and I'll take it off ya hands!!!! I've been searching for something more local than the USA. for one of these!....NZ is a fair bit closer!!
Marty
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190426593068&ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:1123 Another one is coming up.
But I really like my Virutex. Maybe I just haven’t figured out what is so magical about a Skil.
I have had my eye on the Virtuex for several years. Never seen one in person. Looks like a newer version of a 653. Just do not know about being able to “break” it to make it work right.
I didn’t modify mine.
Again, I come from a construction background, not surfboard industry. I know I’m bucking the trend, but having used power planes for their more intended design (door planing) I don’t adjust on the fly.
It’s easier for me to count passes. I want to loose 1/16" on one end, and 1/4" on the other? Set the planer to 1/16" and plane a pass 1/4 the distance - second pass 1/2 the distance - third pass 3/4 the distance - and a final pass to the full length to smooth it all out. I’ve tried to adjust on the fly while running the length of the door, and it ends up too rough.
Think about it, you’re watching your track, and paying attention to the adjustment, and how much, and where in the pass you adjust it. Just a lot simpler to set one depth, and then pay attention to where you stop that pass.
That all being said, to modify the adjustment on the Virutex, unscrew the Knob. The Shoe will drop off. Take out the spring, and reassemble. No more tension on the knob, but the shoe won’t hold steady either. Your hand naturally fits around the knob, not by holding the knob, but your front hand holds the planer housing, and the knob rests in the web between your thumb and index finger.
Howzit everysurfer, The seller of the first one had a 100% seller rating which means there have never been any complaints from buyers so even though he didn't take paypal you may have blown it. Now the nxt one also has a seller with a 100% seller rating which is good plus it is a 7.5 amp planer which is better plus he takes paypal and is in the US. But there is a no return clause and shipping on top of the price. But for $750 at a buy it now price, some body is going to take it before the bidding even starts. Aloha,Kokua
hey everysurfer,
Is this the Virtuex planer that you use? I have been looking into a new one…
[img_assist|nid=1053021|title=planer|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=640|height=324]
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I saw your post and thought huh I wonder if anyone ever sells these in NZ. I looked on trademe, our version of e-bay, and picked this up for NZ$40.00 (about $30 US). I've got a couple of planers and wasn't looking for or even particularly wanted one of these. But sheesh you can't buy an electric can opener here for 40 bucks.
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Ha ! Bro do you know how long I've been watching Trademe in the hope one of those would come up !? Sheesh !
hey everysurfer,
currently i do the same thing (counting passes rather than adjusting on the fly). Thanks for the input…My Harbor Freight planners blades need to be sharpened, and I am looking for an upgrade, I think I might have to get a Virutex.
Hi Swanny,
That’s the one. $480 brand new. 2 1/2 more amps than a skil.
No more buying $80 blades, difficult to find switches, bearings etc. The front knob would need to be modified to adjust on the fly.
I think the romance of the skil 100 as much as anything else keeps it popular. $400 for a 20 year old tool. Then add for new bearings, switch, brushes, cord, armature, and anything else that’s old.
Maybe its me. I must be missing something
It sold for $335.99
thats awesome…hopefully I can get my hands on one of these soon. How did you do modify the front knob so you could adjust on the fly?
I just changed the blades in mine. Same micro blades that all the newer planers use, but they are a little shorter. I had to grind mine 1/8" shorter. Go slow to let the heat dissipate. I kept it cool by holding the blade against a piece of aluminum. Otherwise you’ll change the temper. If not you can order the shorter ones from New York. Damn metric system!
I was playing around with mine, and took out the shoe spring. Definitely made the knob easier to turn. Might order a replacement spring, and cut it shorter.