On 7/7/2012 2:02 PM, Sonny wrote:
I vote get a decent 16" planer. Don't skimp with that quality of
lumber.

Unless you are in production, the size bandsaw needed to properly
resaw that lumber will not be conveniently practical for other general
uses.

I vote you get the band saw, far more useful and needed tool than a
planer. If you have a good source for rough cut lumber, then, you will
need a planer AND a jointer in addition to the band saw, but a band saw
is a must have tool imnsho. If he plans on resawing 16" lumber, he will
need one hell of a band saw, and, will need one hell of a planer and
jointer to surface it when finished. Actually, I would cut down the 16"
stuff anyway unless I had a specific reason for that width.

Planers of course are needed with rough cut lumber, but most lumber
yards carry dimensional lumber that is already surfaced. Once the
lumber is surfaced, a planer is just going to change the thickness of
the lumber, which is cool if that is your objective. Drawers for
example generally have 1/2" or 5/8" sides. I've found Popular in 1/2"
size but other woods not so much. Lots of uses for 5/4 stuff and that
is also hard to find, and expensive when you do.

Personally, I would buy the best (most expensive) band saw I could
afford, assuming I could afford a good one. I would take the lumber to
someone that has a planer that can handle 16" stuff and pay him to plane
it. After my shop was fully stocked with quality stationary equipment,
and I had lots of experience building stuff, I would think about getting
a good jointer and planer (both needed together).

--
Jack
Add Life to your Days not Days to your Life.
http://jbstein.com