Hitachi P12RA Planer/Jointer

Ron309753 · Post by **Ron309753** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 10:35 am

I have the opportunitity to pick up a Hitachi P12RA Planer/Jointer for about a $100. Does anyone have an opinion on this tool?

Sincerely,

Ron309753

mbcabinetmaker · Post by **mbcabinetmaker** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 3:56 pm

It is a steal if it is in good shape.

http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-P12RA-32- ... B0000223K2

8 - 5 star reviews. Go for it !

Ron309753 · Post by **Ron309753** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 1:59 pm

It was at an estate auction on Saturday. It appeared to be in very good condition. I was bidding against one of the auctioneers. I ran out of cash after buying a Shopsmith Belt sander, so he won the auction at $100. Afterwards he offered it for what he paid for it. I called him today and he is still willing to let it go for $100, so I’ll get it Friday or Saturday. This will be the first planer I’ve owned, so I’m psyched! The reviews on Amazon were quite positive even though it has but 2 planer knives and 2 jointer knives. I did notice that the jointer beds are very short!

Sincerely,

Ron309753

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 2:11 pm

Ron309753 wrote:It was at an estate auction on Saturday. It appeared to be in very good condition. I was bidding against one of the auctioneers. I ran out of cash after buying a Shopsmith Belt sander, so he won the auction at $100. Afterwards he offered it for what he paid for it. I called him today and he is still willing to let it go for $100, so I’ll get it Friday or Saturday. This will be the first planer I’ve owned, so I’m psyched! The reviews on Amazon were quite positive even though it has but 2 planer knives and 2 jointer knives. I did notice that the jointer beds are very short!

Sincerely,

Ron309753

I believe the 'auctioneer' was jacking your bidding up! Oh well $100 tis a 'steal' as Mark said. Be glad you ran out of $$ so soon!!!;)

Ron309753 · Post by **Ron309753** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 12:46 pm

Well, brought it home last night. Blew out all the sawdust and cleaned off all the 'acumpunky'. Lubed it per the manual, waxed the tables, and fired it up. At 10.4k rpm it is LOUD! Hearing protection is definitely required. Ran a 4' piece of old red oak left over from a fence project. It planed it smooth, but I think the knives could stand a sharpening. Also during the winter, I think I'll tear it down and check all the bearings.
I also got the sense during the auction that he was driving up the price, especially after he offered it for his winning bid. But, it was still a bargain!
Sincerely,

Ron309753

dlbristol · Post by **dlbristol** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:30 pm

I think you got a pretty good deal as well, but in this part of the country, bidding by anyone affiliated with the auctioneer or his staff is pretty well " frowned on". Even family or close friends bidding are sometimes considered to be very poor form. I have seen folks leave auctions if it happens very often. It is pretty much always made clear that it is a family member bidding at least. The auctioneers are often paid a % of the proceeds so it would be running up the tab. Most auctioneers here are pretty careful not to do that because it tends to keep people away from the next auction.

Then again, auctions often take on a some surreal life of their own!:)