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If the difference between your choice is 5" and you have the means for either, I would recommend the 15" in a helical head. If you can afford the 20" in a helical head, it'll be the last planer upgrade you need (not want mind you, tool lust never stops for some of us
)
Either will be so much quieter than the Rigid, you'll be stunned. chips collection for both 15 and 20" requires more suck than the rigid unit though, be aware. A big planer generates mountains of chips.
TLDR: Biggest you can afford WITH a helical head. I wouldn't advise a new machine without one.
Michael
Every day find time to appreciate life. It is far too short and 'things' happen. RIP Willem
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I went 15" some years back because I knew I would be moving and wasn't sure I could handle moving an 800+# planer. But I would sure love to have one. That said, I'm not really sure I've ever needed the extra width and it's been 17 years since I bought it.
I started with absolutely nothing. Now, thanks to years of hard work, careful planning, and perseverance, I find I still have most of it left.
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One advantage to having a wider planer is that you can run rough lumber on one side, and take a second pass on the other side. It keeps the knives sharper on one side. I don't have to change the knives as often.
I know two guys that share a shop. They each have their own side of the planer.
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(02-27-2018, 04:35 PM)Gibbcutter Wrote: I currently have a 13” rigid planer but am looking to upgrade. The 20” Grizzly is a big machine and I am wondering if their 15” would be all I need.
Suggestions will be appreciated.
Simple question with a very simple answer. How many time have you wanted or needed to plane a board OVER 15" wide.
For me, I bought the 15" because my answer was never.
Once Favre hangs it up though, it years of cellar dwelling for the Pack. (Geoff 12-18-07)
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A 12" planer was fine for me since I have a 36" drum sander.
Upgraded to a 15" to get the Byrd head.
and the 12" wasn't mine......
Ed
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Well, we really *can't* answer this for you.
We can, though, tell you what *we* would do.
In my current shop, I have a PM100 12" planer with a helical head. I can't see myself replacing it with a 15", even if it were free AND had a helical head. I just love it that much. I have room for a 15" planer, though.
I don't have room for a 20". A 20" planer is a *beast*. I would only consider one if I had a larger shop (not gonna happen for at least a decade) AND I knew I could immediately afford a helical head for it.
Semper fi,
Brad
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The size is up to you... determine your needs. Most of what I build I can fit into my 15". If not I just glue up and belt sand / handplane the one or two joints.
I would say that I would never go back to standard knives verses carbide inserts in a helical cutter head. This is many times more important then 15" verses 20" in my opinion.
WoodNET... the new safespace
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My 20" is a time saver as I can send several boards through at the same time.
"During times of universal deceit, Telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act"
-- George Orwell
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I jumped from an old parks 12" to a 20" Grizzly and haven't regretted it one bit.
Wider gives you the options of doing wider projects.
Of course that also means you may need a bigger chip removal system
Steve
Mo.
I miss the days of using my dinghy with a girlfriend too. Zack Butler-4/18/24
The Revos apparently are designed to clamp railroad ties and pull together horrifically prepared joints
WaterlooMark 02/9/2020
