Shopsmith Forums

I am trying to decide as to how important the stand and operation of the Pro Planer is compared to the SS mounted planer. I am in the market for a SS planer, and am having a hard time deciding which way to go.

If anyone would please give some justifications for either or both types it would be appreciated. I assume the SS mounted one is pretty heavy? Heavier than the jointer? Or do I just go with a lunch box planer? I know that the Mark 7 can run it on the "Right" side and the advantages to that. I like the idea of using the M7, after all it is what it is supposed to do ....

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I have read a lot of information on these units here on the forum, and still can't decide which way to go.....

In my active looking I have found both types. Most are reasonable in price.

Oh, and can I get a Pro Planer into a regular sedan? (Ford Fusion Hybrid)

Thanks!

Dick

I just got the SS mounted one last week. I don't find it too heavy now, but later in life I may, but then i do have 3 machines to run it on, so i can leave it mounted.

Either offers resharpenable blades, which is why i wanted one over a lunchbox model.

If the freestanding one is a similar price, I would get it.

wodnek wrote:I just got the SS mounted one last week. I don't find it too heavy now, but later in life I may, but then i do have 3 machines to run it on, so i can leave it mounted.

Either offers resharpenable blades, which is why i wanted one over a lunchbox model.

If the freestanding one is a similar price, I would get it.

I see you have a jointer. It the planer heavier than the jointer?

I can get the Pro for about 400 with a 500 mile drive or the mounted for 250 with a 700 mile drive. That is a 150 dollar difference for the stand, which is a pretty good price for that...... plus a shorter drive.

Thanks wodnek for the response!

Dick

I have the Pro, and am very pleased with it. Here are some things to consider.

The Pro has a 1 3/4hp motor over the mark 5 1 1/8hp.
The mounted planer offers a variable speed from 3000 to 4100, while the Pro offers a higher, but fixed speed of 5750.
The Pro max cut is 1/8 compared to 3/16
The pro will feed up to 20 feet per minute compared to 12
My Pro has a cast iron table. I am led to believe that not all SS planer tables are cast iron. Maybe someone else has more details on that.

The motor would account for some of that weight as well.

BTW, the SS jointer weight 53 lbs. So the mounted planer weighs about 20% more

OK, my temp shop is kind of small, but I should be able to move into my new bigger shop by spring. I think I will go after the Pro and just push it around as needed. It has the casters on it, so I will survive ... It is an older one, has the rubber roller, but it works well.

Thanks guys, 400 may be a little too much for it, but considering the cost of a new one, and the scarcity of them in my part of the world, I will be happy to pay it.

Dick

beeg wrote:Mark-Mounted Planer= 64 pounds.

Pro Planer = 151 pounds. I'm guessing that the weight difference is the stand.

The weight difference as others said is in the stand, the motor and the cast iron tables. There is a bit of cast iron in the pro planner.

rjent wrote:I am trying to decide as to how important the stand and operation of the Pro Planer is compared to the SS mounted planer. I am in the market for a SS planer, and am having a hard time deciding which way to go.

If anyone would please give some justifications for either or both types it would be appreciated. I assume the SS mounted one is pretty heavy? Heavier than the jointer? Or do I just go with a lunch box planer? I know that the Mark 7 can run it on the "Right" side and the advantages to that. I like the idea of using the M7, after all it is what it is supposed to do ....

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I have read a lot of information on these units here on the forum, and still can't decide which way to go.....

In my active looking I have found both types. Most are reasonable in price.

Oh, and can I get a Pro Planer into a regular sedan? (Ford Fusion Hybrid)

Thanks!

Dick

I moved my Pro Planer in a full-size SUV, and I doubt that it would fit in a sedan. My wife drives a 2013 Fusion, but it's not a hybrid. I could take some measurements, but suspect that the batteries in a hybrid may change the trunk dimensions.

It doesn't take long to separate the planer from the stand, though. Broken down, the planer head would fit easily in a small trunk. I believe that the stand would fit in the back seat of a Fusion. If not, the stand comes apart pretty easily as well.

At least my mounted planer does not have a cast iron table. I assume it is to make it possible to mount without a hydraulic engine hoist.
I have no idea if they are all that way due to my limited experience.
It is more awkward to move than the jointer, and a bit more difficult to mount since its not right at an end. The jointer you just line up the two holes and that's it. The planer, you have to make sure the brackets aren't in the way of the way tubes to make sure it mounts right.