[Woodcarver] Planers and Jointers

[R. Stephan Toman]

Hi Jean:

      Referencing table saws:  For years I have used a Ryobi BT3000 
precision saw, and have found it more than enough for the smaller work I 
tend to do.  It is not the most powerful of saws, and I sometimes make two 
passes when dealing with dense woods to reduce the wear on the motor, but 
it is accurate.  It doesn't take much room, and is easily moved when 
necessary.  It has a sliding table, which I find helpful.  It is made of 
aluminum, not steel, which prevents any rusting from ambient moisture. The 
use of aluminum and plastic throughout means that it doesn't tolerate rough 
treatment very well:  One of the clamps on my fence system broke, but I 
always check my settings with a ruler anyway, and I use a quick-grip clamp 
to lock the fence down. I haven't remembered to order a replacement piece 
for the fence, except when I'm cutting something on the saw.  Overall, it 
is not the saw I would choose for hogging large stock, but for detail work 
I have appreciated it. The earlier models had a 13.something amp motor, 
which was too underpowered, but mine has a 15 amp, and this has given me no 
problems.  I don't think that you can find the 13 amp units anymore, but 
check the documentation at the store if you decide to buy the saw to be sure.

http://www.thewoodworkingcatalog.com/magazine/nov96/ryobi.html
http://www.woodcentral.com/bparticles/bt3000-1.shtml

The links above go to two reviews:  one of them is favorable, the other 
scathing, which at the least show that opinions can vary widely.

     As to jointers:  whatever you decide on, make sure that the unit has 
adjustments for both table surfaces, not just the infeed table.

     And planers:  Dewalt makes a heavy duty  portable planer ( DeWalt 
DW733 ) that I have seen nothing but good reports about...I will probably 
get this unit when I upgrade. 
http://www.woodcentral.com/bparticles/dewaltplaner.shtml .  You might also 
search out some reviews about the Delta 560, which is supposed to have 
solved the issues with the earlier 540.

     Joe's right about the Makita combo jointer/planer:  We have one in our 
big shop that has been doing commercial sized work for 20 years and is 
still the one we use most.  The motor has been rebuilt a couple of times, 
but the rest of the machine has been going on and on like the Energizer 
bunny.  But the unit is alot more expensive than the average "portable" 
tool.  I'm not even sure if Makita makes the combo tool anymore.

     Stephan

At 07:15 AM 7/5/2004, you wrote:
>To make a DONATION to the Mailing List using PayPal OR regular mail, click 
>this link: http://wwwoodcarver.com/WWWList/WWWList.html
>
>Hi Jean,
>
>Specifically the type of tools you have listed I have no knowledge of.
>
>Something to consider is to tuck them together when not in use. My
>planer/jointer fits under the extension of my table saw. That puts them into
>a space of 7 ½ feet by 5-feet. I have a Makita 300mm planer with a 6-inch by
>5-foot jointer combo and a Powermatic 10-inch Artisan Saw with a 50-inch
>extension. The saw is on wheels and the planer/jointer is light enough to
>move to where I need it. I moves my planer until it almost shoots the chips
>outside so I can just roll my dumpster over and shovel them in.
>
>
>Joe Dillett
>The Carving Shop
>645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3
>Somonauk, IL. 60552
>(815) 498-9290 phone
>(815) 498-9249 fax
>http://www.thecarvingshop.com
>jdillett at thecarvingshop.com
>http://www.carvingmagazine.com Carving Magazine web site and Readers Forum
>**************************************************
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Woodcarver mailing list
>Woodcarver at six.pairlist.net
>http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/woodcarver

   R. Stephan Toman - artisan/carver
-- Sonrise Woodcarving  Studio --

Refined carving, sculpture, and furniture-making
in the Old World and American
woodcarving and woodworking traditions

Phone: 845-687-9139
E-Fax: 707-361-0206
Email: sonrisewoodcarvingstudio at pobox.com

Web Galleries: www.sonrisewoodcarving.com
                        www.thinlinemillworks.com







-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/woodcarver/attachments/20040705/a7fe1867/attachment.htm