I've been burning out motors on my lunchbox planers due to the heat in my un-air-conditioned shop while working with rough lumber. I'm thinking about upgrading to a 15-inch floor model and would love to hear any experiences or recommendations for brands like Powermatic, Jet, Laguna, or any others. Most options I've seen are priced over $3,000, so if you know of any good alternatives between lunchbox planers and this upgrade, I'd appreciate it! Also, I'm curious about switching to 230V power since I don't currently have it in my shop but could upgrade my feed/panel if it's worthwhile. Is there a significant difference in performance? I'm excited about making this upgrade but feeling a bit overwhelmed by the choices. Cheers!
2 Answers
I haven't come across any 15" planers that run on 115V besides some benchtop models, but those usually fall short in performance compared to the bigger ones. If you can make the jump to 230V, you’ll likely see better results with a quality planer. Just keep in mind the specs—you get more cuts per inch and faster feed rates with the higher-end models. Totally worth the investment if you're serious about woodworking!
Wow, 15 inches is a serious upgrade! Most of the 15" planers require 230V because they usually have 3HP motors. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, you might want to check out Grizzly's models—they often have decent ones at a lower price. Plus, keep an eye out for Jet’s occasional sales—they can offer some good discounts!
Yeah, I agree! Grizzly's products are pretty solid for what you pay. Just make sure to research specific models as they can vary greatly in features.