$120 Used 13" Planer on Craigslist

[Hobbs79]

http://wenatchee.craigslist.org/tls/2242744991.html

I was thinking of looking at this planer. It has a few details on what is wrong, what else should I look for? Also do you think $120 is too much for it?

Thanks,

Cory

[guitarbuilder]

The Foley Belsaw planer molders have been around for years.

http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=318

[Hobbs79]

Who do I talk to about sharpening the knives also what do you think that would cost. Would they be able to make the appropriate adjustments needed also?

Thanks,

Cory

[JeradP]

I know nothing of planers, I clicked this thread accidentally, but I wanted to comment on your Hobbes avatar. Calvin and Hobbes rule :D

[Kennedycaster]

From the looks of it, you'll probably have to put at least another $120 into it to get it back in shape. These old machines can be great, heck, a couple of my machines are from the '50's, but they can end up being a money pit. Another thing to think about, all the time it takes to restore it is time you could be spending building guitars. IMO, I'd pass on it & look for a newer one.

[Hobbs79]

I probably wouldn't do the work myself and if I did put another $120 into in that would still only be $240, compared to new planers that are $800-$2000 I think I would still be on the winning end of the deal. I really don't need a planer, but thought if I could get one for a good deal, why not right?


Thanks,

Cory

[Jack Wells]

Looks like trouble to me. I wouldn't give it a second thought. Save your money and get the Ridgid 13 in. $399 with free shipping or pick it up at your local Home Depot.

......

[Hobbs79]

Originally Posted by JeradP

I know nothing of planers, I clicked this thread accidentally, but I wanted to comment on your Hobbes avatar. Calvin and Hobbes rule :D

Yes, Calvin & Hobbs do rule!

[Jack Wells]

Looks like Hobbs is checking to make sure he still has all his fingers.

[Bolide]

Glad to see a post from Jack Wells, getting a little worried

I think that machine looks like it's gone through a couple of decades of being rode hard and put up wet, and probably was left out in the weather to boot.
Unless I had some kind of expertise on that brand of machine, I would pass.

[volowv]

it's only a 13". if it were a larger planer i'd say it's worth dumping money into but not something that size. the other issue is that it's 5hp single phase. you are going to need a 40 amp breaker and #8 wire (i think). it's sucking down a lot of wattage. and this thing probably weighs 200-300lbs, so it's always fun trying to move.

as guitarbuilder said, belsaw has been around for years, i think sears sold them at one point in the 60s or 70s. there is a lot of info on the web and parts too i think, look around and see how much a new feed roller and knife are... but as a general rule i don't buy things that aren't working unless i know a lot about how to fix them.

[piece of ash]

The RIDGID planer is also orange... big factor here...

And yes... forget about that old piece of crap... you need 13" PLUS for most guitars anywho...

[Jack Wells]

Back to the planer ............ the seller says it's a 13 in. but this spec sheet says the maximum width capacity is 12 3/8 in. Not enough for a Telecaster body blank. The seller can't even get the name right ....calls it a Belstar.

http://www.belsaw.com/bellcat_pdf/Blitz_p2.pdf

[Kennedycaster]

As Jack pointed out, the Ridgid planer is $400 new, & I've seen them go for $200-300 used on cl. Much better option.

[Jack Wells]

With any planer other than a Ridgid, you'd be out another $3 to $4 for a can of orange spray paint to get that cool factor.

[stmfitr636]

I say keep looking. It's good that you don't need it, that gives you time to use discretion.

I did, and ended up finding a 15" Grizzly for $275 IIRC. The extra set of knives cost about $45 to have sharpened.

As with anything else off craisgslist... you have to have cash ready and be able to drop what your doing to go get it.

[bigfatbass]

Never skimp on a planer. They are required to do one of the most torque aggressive jobs in the shop, and with the finest levels of tolerance. Unless you want to endlessly adjust and re-plane, all the while losing precious depth/stock, I'd stay away.

[guitarbuilder]

I'd pass on it as well. You could be buying a lot of scrap metal for that price. Check out a Dewalt 13 with a 3 knife cutterhead with 2 sided-disposable knives. These are geared to contractors. Lowes carries them, as does woodcraft. They have a big following and have an internal blower so you don't need to buy a dust collector. Really cheap planers tend to snipe which is a major pain in the butt, as a few inches of each end of the board are thinner than the rest.

[Hobbs79]

Originally Posted by Jack Wells

Looks like trouble to me. I wouldn't give it a second thought. Save your money and get the Ridgid 13 in. $399 with free shipping or pick it up at your local Home Depot.

......

Very nice, once again Jack Wells comes through - This is a way better deal, it will go great with my Ridgid router.

Originally Posted by Jack Wells

With any planer other than a Ridgid, you'd be out another $3 to $4 for a can of orange spray paint to get that cool factor.

Very true...