Originally posted to: SAWS-Society of Architecture Workshop Supervisors
Moderator deleted direct link to another public forum - TOS Violation
Hey all, I've finally gotten the PM209HH 20" helical head planer delivered, installed and powered up. There was some interest here in this machine, so I thought I would give my impressions.
# 1 - Noise
I upgraded from benchtop planers primarily because of noise. We really didn't need more than 13" very often (of course it would be nice,but...). Helical heads were reportedly significantly quieter the straight knives so after a visit from env. health, complaints from classrooms below us, etc.. I decided to take the plunge. Having $3k in store credit at "Tried and True Tools" from the sale of the old Unisaws (replaced w/SawStops), expedited the process, I requested money specifically for a quieter planer, but got the standard "put it in next year's budget request" response that I've been getting for the past 4 years. "So, the noise Kevin?" oh yeah, WOW!, I really hadn't imagined that a 20" planer could be this quiet, WHAT was I waiting for? Quieter than the Sawstop at idle, and usually while running too. You can actually carry on a conversation while it's planing, amazing! This purchase single-handedly addressed our noise issue.
#2 - Design/Quality
In 2 words... not impressed. I went for the Powermatic expecting it would be a step above the "cloners"...it isn't, it is just another clone, basically interchangable with a Grizzly, Yorkcraft, Shop Fox, General Int, etc... Of course the BYRD "true helical" cutter head sets it apart, though the BYRD is available for all the clones-you may need to install yourself. You can get the Yorkcraft with the BYRD installed - $2120
http://www.wilkemachinery.com/defaul...skudatarq=2536
Examples:
Rolling Base: details were sketchy as this is a new machine, but I was expecting an "HTC style" base that jacks the planer off of 2 adjustable feet onto a pivoting caster allowing significant mobility. That's not the case, this planer rests on 4 non-swiveling, non-height adjustable, 3"x1-1/4" wheels, the 2 back ones can be "locked" by a knob/bolt that threads through the base and rests directly against the wheel, pretty crude. The Yorkcraft clone has a built in HTC style base and this is what I was expecting, oh well it's not like it's going to move very often.
IN/OUT feed tables: nice big cast in/out tables, but a PITA to install/level. The casting isn't square where the 3-8MM bolts that hold the table to the bed attach, as a result, when you tighten the bolts, the in/out table creeps upward. I ended up grinding the casting to make it flat, but not until I got to the second table. The tables are leveled simply by a set screw through the in/out table setting against the face of the bed. I don't really trust the longevity of any of these parts, the fasteners are too few and all "feel" too small and the casting too thin for the tapped holes to be durable. Both tables are bowed/crowned .010"+ rt-lft.
Few features: Our $500 DeWalt 735 benchtop has: depth stops, depth of cut indicator, height scale, easy open cover, "no-snipe auto lock", on-board tools, etc.. I expected some similar features on a $2800 planer, but we've got what: a height scale, 2 speeds + an extra gear and chain for low range, 2 knobs for column lock, 2 knobs that thread a bolt into the wheels. The access cover/chip chute is a pain to remove compared to the 4 screws of the DW735. Sure it's marketing, but using this stripped down stationary planer makes me realize that DeWalt got a lot right with their latest benchtop planer.
#3 - Operation:
The planer works fine, cut is clean with no discernable scalloping, or "ridges" at the knife seams that had been mentioned as a downside of the insert heads. Heavily figured hard maple cuts exponentially better than straight knives. I am getting more snipe than I expected...what's up with that. Again the old DW 735 pretty much eliminated snipe, am I going to have to get used to it again? Will raising the in/out table slightly help? Closer inspection of this makes me suspect slop in the acme threads in the posts, is there a mechanism to adjust out that slop,,suppose I'll check the manual.
All in all, store credit well spent. Just need to develop a use protocol and figure out how to keep steel out of the $4 ea carbide inserts.
Found and ordered the Wixey digital height indicator...that sould simplify things a bit.
Cheers,
Kevin Groenke