Woodmaster sent me a flyer saying I could pick up a 25" Model 725 planer
from Wisconsin (about 4 hours away) for $2400. This model can be used as a
drum sander and as a moulder, but I primarily want to use it as a planer.
Every once in a while, a used Powermatic 24" planer comes up for sale in my
area for under $2000. I was wondering if anyone had experience with both
types of machines and could comment on their capabilities. The Powermatic
weighs around 4000 pounds while the Woodmaster weights only 800 pounds. I
have a hard time believing they can both do the same work. Do I have to
take super thin passes with the Woodmaster? Do I have to plane one board
and then let the machine rest? Any comments?

This is what I mean when I say a used Powermatic 24":

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...2967 546&rd=1