It is good that you are getting away from strictly pine. You will not
regret that move.

For Oak, pine and any other not-so-figured wood, a 12 inch single speed, two
bladed planer is ok.
If you get into Birds eye maple, Curly Maple and figured woods, it helps to
get one of the newer two-speed planers. Three blades would be a definite
plus.

Word of caution, even with the two speed planers, you will still get tear
out on some woods, for example, high grade birds eye maple and curly maple.
That's where the drum sander comes in handy; you plane down to within 1/32
and then finish up on the drum sander.

I do not dimension wood on the drum sander; it takes too long. AND, you
don't want to put pine thru a drum sander anyway, it gums up the sand paper.

Bottom line, get a nice planer and make some pretty pieces.

H. Smith


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