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

The used Powermatic has a 3 phase motor. Do you have 3 phase power?

Yes I have 3 phase power. I also have access to a forklift so I'm not
worried about the weight either.

"JuanKnighter" wrote in message
...
The used Powermatic has a 3 phase motor. Do you have 3 phase power?

Al,

Based on your descriptions, the PM 24" seems to be a better fit for your
needs. It is significantly better machine than the Woodmaster.

You are so lucky with your 3 phases and forklift. I could never convince
Swmbo that I need those. I can still dream =)

Cheers, Ollie

"AL" wrote in message
...
Yes I have 3 phase power. I also have access to a forklift so I'm not
worried about the weight either.

"JuanKnighter" wrote in message
...
The used Powermatic has a 3 phase motor. Do you have 3 phase power?

"Ollie" Olivili at Hot Mail dot com wrote in message

You are so lucky with your 3 phases and forklift. I could never convince
Swmbo that I need those. I can still dream =)

Heh! Even if you had 3 phase and a forklift, do you have the shop space to
put them to use? I'm thinking of a single car garage/workshop that will hold
the forklift and nothing else.

"Ollie" Olivili at Hot Mail dot com writes:

You are so lucky with your 3 phases and forklift. I could never convince
Swmbo that I need those. I can still dream =)

It isn't the SWMBO you need to convince to get three phase power. Power
companies generally won't run three phase power to a residence.

If I ever build a seperate shop, I might try to convince the power company
to give me three phase power. I am pretty sure the lines at the street
are three phase.

Brian Elfert

In article , Brian Elfert wrote:

If I ever build a seperate shop, I might try to convince the power company
to give me three phase power. I am pretty sure the lines at the street
are three phase.

Unless you live in an industrial park, that's highly unlikely.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?

Now the question is: where is the three phase in relation to the
location of the machine in your shop? I have three phase in a panel
three feet away from the machine, but it has taken almost three months
to get the machine hardwired into the system, and the work hasn't even
been done yet (we got the bid yesterday). It's a school shop, so
getting approval is a major PITA.