Please recommend a hand held power planer?

[gidon]

I know it's not something I'm going to need very often but useful in rougher work and handy for fitting doors and windows! (Been doing that fair bit recently with the shed build!)
I bought a cheap Titan one from Screwfix and it's rubbish. I did shim the base with masking tape to get the front and back plates in the same plane! But it still wasn't up to much.
I'd quite like a decent rebate funcition >=19mm but on the decent makes this takes the cost right up. I want to spend less than £100.
Top contender at the minute is this one from Bosch:
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/61137/Pow ... 6mm-Planer
Thanks
Gidon

 

[Neil]

Looks good to me at that price, Gidon. I had a joiner out yesterday fitting a new back door (yes, the one that we were chatting about years ago ) and he had a Makita which was very nice, but I see that the new version is a lot more expensive than the Bosch. I've developed a slight preference for Bosch over Makita over the past couple of years having been delighted with some Bosch purchases and a little disappointed by my last two Makita tools. Go for it!

I was going to say why not use the 10% voucher at Axminster instead, but I see that it would still work out more expensive than Sfix!

Cheers,
Neil

 

[gidon]

Thanks Neil.
I think that Bosch I'm looking at is actually more than the equiv Makita (model 1902), but like the 3 year warranty and high capacity.
I'm surprised you weren't fitting the back door - especially if it could have been an excuse to buy a new toy :lol:.
What 10% voucher is this??!
Cheers
Gidon

 

[Neil]

Yes, you're right - I missed the 1902. Thats the one that my joiner used. I would take the Bosch over this one for the reasons you mentioned.

There is a 10% off offer on at the moment - I haven't had the email either but when I go through the online ordering there is a box to tick on the final page to apply the discount. I got it slightly wrong, you would save about 50p with the discount and you get some spare blades - might be worth doing unless you have other plans for the voucher :wink:. It is until 30th April apparently.

The joiner (Mr. Grimsdale's Irish cousin :lol insisted on hanging his door, although I helped him quite a lot. It was great seeing the 'old school' way of doing it, although we did use my Festool saw to trim the top & bottom of the door. He had never seen one before, and his eyes were almost popping out when he saw how easy it was & how clean the cut was! Unfortunately he probably put an extra €100 on the bill having asked me how much I paid for it

Cheers,
Neil

 

[gidon]

He he!
That's the way I've done it before - with a straight edge and circular saw (but just a humble Dewalt saw and homemade straight edge!) But with this rough work on my shed and such like a power planer would be quicker and could be used in situ.
I've checked and I don't get the 10% discount - have phoned Axminster and they will apply it on a phone order. But the only planer I'd save anything on at Axminster is the Festool :lol:.
Cheers
Gidon

 

[Neil]

Better get the Festool then :lol:

Very strange that this discount appears to be applied randomly. Might still be worth it just for the extra blades, but I'm guessing that you could find a better use for it! I'm going to get the Veritas flat-bottomed shave at long last - not much of a saving but at least it will cover the postage.

One last consideration - the Makita is very light and was very comfortable one-handed. But I think the warranty & depth of cut on the Bosch more than compensate for this.

Cheers,
Neil

 

[Racers]

Hi,

I have just bought a Makita 1902 from http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/xpn1__W0QQ_armrsZ1
at a good price and he is local to me so I saved the postage. Its a nice machine it will only do 1mm cut but it works well, dosen't come with a dust bag so some cleaning up is needed :wink:


Pete

 

[gidon]

Thanks Pete - I am still considering that one. Not too fussed about 1mm depth of cut and like that price!
Neil - yeah 10% doesn't seem like very much with current prices!
Cheers
Gidon

 

[gidon]

Went for the 1902 in the end at only £67 from Charles Direct(?):
http://www.charliesdirect.co.uk/product ... uctID=1250
Thanks for the help chaps.
Cheers
Gidon

 

[Neil]

Fantastic price, Gidon. Makes me want one myself...

Cheers,
Neil

 

[gidon]

Neil - seems a little cheap but will let you know how I get on. Only £30 more than the Screwfix crappy one! I thought the Festool had your name on it!
Cheers
Gidon

 

[Neil]

No, thats one Festool purchase that I would have a big problem justifying - its three times the price! Surely it can't make that much of a difference - its a fairly crude tool after all...

Yes, let us know how you get on & how Charles Direct are to deal with - I've never heard of them before.

Cheers,
Neil

 

[gidon]

Will do - I've not heard of Charles Direct either so will keep fingers crossed!
Cheers
Gidon

 

[Racers]

Hi, Gidion

I saw the Charles Direct ones but I managed to get mine for £60.99

Pete

 

[gidon]

Hi Pete
Was up to £70 + £10 delivery on Ebay when I looked - so you did well!
Cheers
Gidon

 

[Steve (Correze)]

I know it's not something I'm going to need very often...

The power plane is one of the most used tools in my workshop, invaluable for cleaning up cut edges and getting panels to size.

For chip-free edges on melamine or laminate finished boards, cut 2mm oversize, then make a few passes with the plane.

Can also be used for removing excess glue on worktop joints, squaring up boards, fitting shelves to uneven walls and occasionally hanging doors...


One tool that is always in the van and gets used on just about every job.


We have Bosch, Makita and Festool at work, all do the job without fuss, I have a cheapo 550W Skil at home which is just as good.

 

[gidon]

Thanks Steve - I'm sure you'll be right. It'll no doubt get used more than I'd imagine!
Cheers
Gidon

 

[gidon]

Wow what a difference for an extra £30! The planer arrived this morning and had to have a quick go. It's a lovely tool and it leaves a very impressive finish - wasn't really expecting that since I bought it for rough work!
Cheers
Gidon

 

[Neil]

Glad to hear it, Gidon. Now I just need an excuse to get one... :lol:

Cheers,
Neil

 

[gidon]

- excuse is - think they have mispriced it - you had to get in quick and save money :lol:.
Cheers
Gidon