Bench Planer??

[Sycamore67]

I use CamelCamelCamel.com to check price history on Amazon. The graph below is for the DW735 with wings but no stand.  It gives you new, used and non-Amazon prices over a lot of year.

[jimmyG]

The up keep on planers is kind of interesting.   The wen spiral takes 27? Cutters and they are sold 10 for $38  3 blades are around $30 so blades seem more economical.   Also I wondered if you replace just one individual cutter on a spiral will the cut look different with only one new cutter installed. I have a lot to learn

 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

1 hour ago, jimmyG said:

The up keep on planers is kind of interesting.   The wen spiral takes 27? Cutters and they are sold 10 for $38  3 blades are around $30 so blades seem more economical.   Also I wondered if you replace just one individual cutter on a spiral will the cut look different with only one new cutter installed. I have a lot to learn

 

You get 4 cuts or basically 4 blades with the spiral head so that is the more economical method. Plus if you get a nick in a spiral cutter you can switch it out. No you will not notice if you replace a cutter. They work in tandem. and shear and not chop. You can easily sharpen standard blades but need to sharpen all three. Can not sharpen spiral blades. But remember how blades work. They sit on the roller in a designated spot. So if you sharpen one blade more than the others than one blade will not cut as deep and you get skip. 

Edited January 31, 2024 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[jimmyG]

17 minutes ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

You get 4 cuts or basically 4 blades with the spiral head so that is the more economical method. Plus if you get a nick in a spiral cutter you can switch it out. No you will not notice if you replace a cutter. They work in tandem. and shear and not chop. You can easily sharpen standard blades but need to sharpen all three. Can not sharpen spiral blades. But remember how blades work. They sit on the roller in a designated spot. So if you sharpen one blade more than the others than one blade will not cut as deep and you get skip. 

The Wen spiral PL1326 only has two useable edges. The 3 blade models are disposable and cannot be sharpened.

[kmmcrafts]

Yeah, when I was looking into planers before I bought my new one I found that not all the knives have 4 edges and some have the option of buying 2 or 4 edged ones.. the 4 edges one's was a better buy but were more money too.

While many planer's say you cannot sharpen the knives.. you can somewhat sharpen them with a jig and using sandpaper.. I received a jig for Christmas some years ago and I used it quite a lot with my old 2 knife blade Ryobi planer. The DeWalt I got came with extra knives and I also purchased a set when I bought it so I have yet had to sharpen any of them yet. You can sharpen these about 3 times with the jig but they shouldn't be done too many times as they get slightly smaller each time. This is the jig setup I got. There are many videos on YouTube for using a table saw to cut a slot and make your own jig.

https://www.rockler.com/deulen-planer-jointer-sharpening-jigs-sharpening-jigs

 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

2 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

Yeah, when I was looking into planers before I bought my new one I found that not all the knives have 4 edges and some have the option of buying 2 or 4 edged ones.. the 4 edges one's was a better buy but were more money too.

While many planer's say you cannot sharpen the knives.. you can somewhat sharpen them with a jig and using sandpaper.. I received a jig for Christmas some years ago and I used it quite a lot with my old 2 knife blade Ryobi planer. The DeWalt I got came with extra knives and I also purchased a set when I bought it so I have yet had to sharpen any of them yet. You can sharpen these about 3 times with the jig but they shouldn't be done too many times as they get slightly smaller each time. This is the jig setup I got. There are many videos on YouTube for using a table saw to cut a slot and make your own jig.

https://www.rockler.com/deulen-planer-jointer-sharpening-jigs-sharpening-jigs

 

I use a similar jig for my planer blades that are all one piece. As well as my jointer blades. I did not know about the 2 sides and 4 sided blades. I just never did any homework on them because I do not use them. Now I do use those type cutters but they are carbide in my turning tools. Not again I never looked into it if that would be possible to switch the HSS ones for carbide. You can easily sharpen the carbide by rubbing them on a flat diamond stone and some cutting oil. I do this all the time. The problem with sharpening those HSS inserts is as I said. You take too much metal off they will skip because they sit in a registered position so to lock the screw down. Thus no need for adjusting as much. When you sharpen straight planer blades you need to sharpen same amount to again keep a matching set. This is why many people send them out to the pros to sharpen. I have no idea about a Wen machine because I buy quality brand name tools. I always have and always will. Wen could be a great brand but have no idea. I do not buy refurbished tools either. yes they maybe just as good. But when I buy tools I do not mind spending $$$ for quality. I will do my homework

Edited February 1, 2024 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[jimmyG]

4 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

I use a similar jig for my planer blades that are all one piece. As well as my jointer blades. I did not know about the 2 sides and 4 sided blades. I just never did any homework on them because I do not use them. Now I do use those type cutters but they are carbide in my turning tools. Not again I never looked into it if that would be possible to switch the HSS ones for carbide. You can easily sharpen the carbide by rubbing them on a flat diamond stone and some cutting oil. I do this all the time. The problem with sharpening those HSS inserts is as I said. You take too much metal off they will skip because they sit in a registered position so to lock the screw down. Thus no need for adjusting as much. When you sharpen straight planer blades you need to sharpen same amount to again keep a matching set. This is why many people send them out to the pros to sharpen. I have no idea about a Wen machine because I buy quality brand name tools. I always have and always will. Wen could be a great brand but have no idea. I do not buy refurbished tools either. yes they maybe just as good. But when I buy tools I do not mind spending $$$ for quality. I will do my homework

Being a hobbiest, even though I could buy all top of the the line tools I've had very good luck with the Wen brand.  Like any tool some get over looked by quality control before it leaves the factory but Wen's customer service is really nice. Buying from the local blue and orange stores makes it convenient to get exchanges or refunds where Amazon is not.  I'll eventually buy something sooner or later...

[kmmcrafts]

I buy the best tool I can afford. I've been through a lot of various brands and refurbished or brand new.. Back when I started scrolling the refurbs came with the same warranty as the new did but they no longer do that.. must be some still get past the QC. Most my main used tools in the shop now are DeWalt, Excalibur, Hawk, and Hegners. My CNC is also higher end, but my laser is still just a cheapy.. 

Back in the day I bought a refurbished Dremel 1800 scroll saw online. When I got it the saw ran slow no matter what I put the speed dial on. Email to customer service and they sent me a pre-paid shipping label and asked if I had a nearby UPS I could drop it off, OR they could have it picked up but I'd have to wait a week. I dropped it off and once it was dropped off they had sent the replacement in the mail. I've always heard Amazon has a great return policy.. I know as a seller on Amazon if something isn't right with a customers order they take the funds out of my pay and ship it back to me or tell the customer to toss it out.. I have very little control over my own transactions.. so I would think a big ticket tool you shouldn't have to pay shipping back especially if it's a faulty tool.. now you might get resistance if you just don't like it and want to return it.. but if something is wrong you shouldn't have to be paying.. and if you have had to pay then you didn't contact the right person on Amazon.. there is a difference between dealing with the seller and dealing with Amazon customer service.. BUT, I do understand that it's easier to deal in person for some things.. not trying to talk you into buying online.. just stating the facts about returns on Amazon.. I know because I've been a seller there for several years.. they don't mess around with complaints..