My Delta drum sander has served me well, especially since I got it 14 years ago for $150. But alas, the gears are stripped that raise and lower the table.
I am thinking of getting rid of it and buying a Desktop Planer instead. My most frequent use of a drum sander or a planer is preparing wood for glue-ups for laminated turnings. I have 2 questions:
1. Will a decent planer give a good enough surface for gluing?
2. I am looking at the Dewalt DW735 and the Oliver Byrd Shelix Desktop Planer. The Dewalt seems to be the go-to favorite. Has anyone tried the Oliver? (The Oliver is $999. The Dewalt is $749 with infeed and outfeed tables, and I would not be upgrading to spiral cutters.)
Thank you.