Planer X2 - Me thinks I have a project!

[billmayo]

Here are the questions:
- Can the Shopsmith-mount machine be put on the power stand? Are there any problems doing this other than swapping the pully's etc?

-Which unit do I keep:
*The better unit has the aluminum table. It is close to new looking
*The poorer unit has some corrosion on the cast iron table. However, I can continue to clean it up. It may not look perfect, but is servicable.
*Which one should I use as my base to build on?

I would go to a stand alone planer set-up. I used a normal equipment stand and made a swinging motor mount. I find that installing and removing the planer on/off the Mark V is beyond me now. I believed that the Mark V motor is a little on the weak side for best results. I went to a 3 HP 220 VAC motor with the Planer Pulley Retro-Kit #555114 (belt guard included) to get the planer cutter head up to 5750 RPMs. A world of difference from the previous 3450 RPM motor speed.