wrote in message
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I'm looking for a thickness planer and plan on getting it from Home
Depot. They have Rigid, Ryobi, Delta, and Dewalt brands. The Ryobi is
fairly cheap $200 I think. I have a Rigid router that I am quite happy
with and have been leaning towards that model.

Any suggestions on features I should look for? I have never used one
and am not sure what to look for. The basic use is for rough saw oak
and other hardwoods. Most pieces will be less than 6 feet in length,
width around 8"-12" and thickness from 1/4" or so up to 3".

Thanks.

The Rigid probably has the best warranty and that includes parts that
naturally wear out. Don't get too caught up on the multiple speeds on the
bench top models. Sure the slow speed makes a nice smooth cut but that is
simply short lived as the blade will probably develop a nick or two with in
a few hours of usage. That is true with the stationary planers also. The
two speeds on the larger planers are useful because slow is a good speed
and faster is, well faster. The 2 speeds on the bench tops are a good speed
and slower. Remember, it is a thicknesser not a finish surfacer. If you
are going to do a "lot" of rough to final dimension planing you may want to
seriously consider a stationary planer.
A bench top does a good job on common thickness boards, 3" is probably
pushing it weight wise if you are thinking 3x8x72.