quick planer question - short and sweet

[Sachbvn]

Ok - I know a couple guys either have, or have friends who have the Ridgid 13" http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100083773&N=10000003+90401+501489

I know the vast majority of people here approved of Grizzly tools (so far I'm a believer!) - but I don't know anyone who has http://www.grizzly.com/products/12-1-2-Planer/G0505


By the time I pay shipping, fuel surcharge etc... the Grizzly is maybe only $20 cheaper than the Ridgid which will be $60 off. That is with all taxes included.


IF, and a big IF I decide to go through with the planer purchase I can't decide which to go with. Both seem to have great reviews, Ridgid is supposed to be guaranteed for life..supposed to be anyways.

ok ok - I guess more than anything is - does anyone have any negative comment on the Grizzly model? Anything not look up to snuff - too flimsy or cheap?

At over $100 more regular price - I have to wonder if the Ridgid is just a plain better planer. Your thoughts?


Thanks,
Zac

[Keystone]

I have a Rigid TP1300. I like it. I'd buy it again.

Never used the Griz. Can't really make a pro or con comment on it.

In my opinion I do believe that the Rigid in this case is your better buy.

[Bob Hines]

I can't comment on the Grizzly but I really like my Rigid. I like the repeat-a-cut and ind-i-cut features. I'm a novice woodworking and I like to see how much I'm taking off on a cut and I like that I just set the thinkness I want and the cutterhead will automatically stop at that depth so all of my boards come out exactly 3/4 inch instead of this one a little less, this one a tad more etc. I also think that I saw on the box that the Rigid now comes with a 3 blade cutterhead. For $20 difference, personally I would choose the Rigid over the Grizzly.

[DougB]

I don't know anything about the Grizzly, but from the link you posted I noticed that you need to fork out an additional $44.50 for a stand which the Ridgid comes with, and also you have to add $16.95 for a dust hood which Ridgid also comes with and which allows you to hook up a DC to it. Add those 2 (to me not optional) extras and you are looking at an additional $61.45 you will need to add to the cost of the Grizz.

An almost insignificant difference of 12.5" width for the Grizz vs. 13" for the Ridgid is just one more advantage for the Ridgid. The lifetime warranty is also something to consider.

All that put together means that the Grizz would have to be a much nicer machine for it to be a better deal than the Ridgid. Without knowing for sure that it was, I'd still opt for the Ridgid. I have the Ridgid and have no complaints about it so far.

[rrich]

Zac,
Obviously you're a touchie feely kind of shoper.

If you can't touch and feel the Griz, your satisfaction is uncertain.

A couple of options...
Call Griz tech support, ask if there is someone in your area that has the planer and would they be willing to let you see it.

Drive over to the Griz showroom in Springfield, Missouri and look.

I have only touched Grizzly products at trade shows. (Emphasis touched, not used) They seem to be as good as any. The one drawback about purchasing from Grizzly is shipping charges. If you decide that the product is not for you and the product is not faulty, you pay the shipping, both ways.

[DougB]

Yeah Rich, the shipping has always killed the deal for me with Grizzly. I'm just too far away from them to try them out.

[Sonny Edmonds]

Either one is probably fine. Never owned or ran either.
But when faced with a big ticket purchase I always start out there and wind up getting something a bit more than the impulse buy.
[link:www.factoryauthorizedoutlet.com/dewalt/products/DW735R.asp | Consider this, free shipping, and one hell of a lot more planer than your immediate contenders for your money.]
It turns out "baby butt smooth" stock.
Just thought I'd toss that in for you to consider. ;)

:D

[link:home.earthlink.net/~pie/data/index.html|Sonny Edmonds ]
Saugus, CA
"Precision Firewood Specialist"

"Lurkimus turdius orifus" (Limey-speak latin for a lurking A$$hole)
A handle bestowed on me by my Dear Friend, Robert "Limey" Bolton. 1947-2007

"A candle loses nothing lighting another."


Welcome to the Forum!
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[Sachbvn]

>Zac,
>Obviously you're a touchie feely kind of shoper.
>

Rich, you made me sound really creepy! :) I know what you are saying - I have decided on the Ridgid after reading a really good demo and "off website" review of the Ridgid. It wasn't one of those "how many stars out of 5" reviews on the HD website - it was a webpage where a guy explained all the features and demonstrated it, looked awesome.

If I can bring myself to fork over the money, the Ridgid will be the lucky devil that gets to come home with me.


Grizzly products look really good (even the above mentioned planer looks good, the Ridgid just looks better, and enough better to warrant the extra cost) but I just can't stand paying the shipping.

One thing about Grizzly that P!ssed me off was... I called to check and see if I get a brake on freight cost if I order two items that require "freight" at the same time and I don't. I would still have to pay for both freight costs.... they come special delivered on the same truck, though. At most I save a $7.50 fuel surcharge.


Thanks guys for the input!!

Zac

[Sachbvn]

Hey Sonny - I have looked at that planer and read up a little bit on it. I don't argue it sounds like (from other people too) a top notch planer that anyone would be happy to own. It is however more than I could bring myself to spend on it... even if I waited awhile. Hopefully I will be content for a long while with the Ridgid and don't have to suffer from the "shoulda bought that one in the first place" issue.

Thanks,
Zac

[sibi1972]

Zac,

The planer that Sonny mentioned may well be the best portable planer out there. It sure has a high price tag.

So here's my take on this stuff. Once you spend this kind of money, generally it's on the one you will use until it's destroyed. So don't rush into anything. If I knew then what I know now, I would have spent more for better tools then I did.

You do get use to your tools and manage just fine even though you know you are working harder and planning better to accommodate the way your power tools work.

The bigger, more expensive tools just work better. This is an expensive hobby. Period. You and all of us are stuck with spending what we can. If and it may be a big if, you can wait and save a bit more, buy the Dewalt, you won't be disappointed.

Otherwise, can't wait, gotta have it, have the money sitting, just jump in and buy SOMETHING. That's what I did and there are a few small regrets.

I'm no real help here. Right?? I know that. Just my convoluted take on this stuff is all.

Edit: But when you DO buy the BEST one and you know it, it's like... an MLT... when the mutton is real lean... I love that, they're so perky.

"Red"

[Bigbuck]

If it helps any home depot is running a special where you quite a bit off on power tools and if you use their card you don't have to pay interest for 6 months. I just used this method to buy myself a joiner.
Just an idea.

[arcticfox46]

Zac,

I have the Dewalt 733 which is an older model. Many have upgraded from the 733 to stuff like Sonny linked to.

I will vouch for the Dewalt as well as many other Dewalt Planer users.

Griz usually gets great reviews, as does Ridgid.

[ictoos]

Here's the question I have on the dewalt Sonny: when comparing the $400 12.5 inch and $550 13 inch, is there sufficent difference to justify the 150 price bump?

K

[DougB]

That sounds like a stealth gloat Glenn! Congrats on the jointer...I know you are going to love it. :)