Anyone upgrade their planer to a helix cutterhead?

Forum for Maintenance and Repair topics. Feel free to ask questions or contribute.

Moderator: admin

Post Reply
donpol
Gold Member
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2013 9:56 pm
Location: Hinckley, OH

Anyone upgrade their planer to a helix cutterhead?

Post by donpol »

Wanted to ask if anyone here has upgraded their planer with a helix cutterhead, and has it really made a difference? Was it worth the expense?

I ask, because I currently use a DeWalt 12" planer that I've had for about twenty years. My jointer is a 6" Ridgid, which I've also considered getting a helix for. I've seen a lot of the ads promoting the benefits of a helix cutter, just wanted to hear from someone who has installed one, and if it was worth it.
garys
Platinum Member
Posts: 2075
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2011 12:16 am
Location: Bismarck, ND

Re: Anyone upgrade their planer to a helix cutterhead?

Post by garys »

Some discussion here about the helix head, but not on the Shopsmith planer.
https://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/view ... ad#p226373
Gene Howe
Platinum Member
Posts: 3219
Joined: Wed Jul 26, 2006 7:52 pm
Location: Snowflake, AZ

Re: Anyone upgrade their planer to a helix cutterhead?

Post by Gene Howe »

I upgraded my Dewalt 735 16 months ago. Other than the Shopsmiths, this upgrade is likely the best tool investment I've ever made.
It's cuts are superb. It's much quieter. It has saved a bunch of time and money in blade changes. Most of my planing is rough cut hard wood lumber, chiefly Mesquite. My ROI time should be no more than 2 years.
The change over was not too difficult. If you decide to make the change, I highly recommend buying the OEM sized one. It makes the change over time a bit longer but, it's well worth it.
Post Reply