As a hand tool woodworker I know very little about power tools. I have seen an old 30cm wide planer for sale which is tempting as a way to eliminate some of the grunt work involved in preparing stock, but I don't know what to check before I buy.
Is planer even the correct term to use? It is not a thicknesser, it is the power tool used to get a good face and a square edge on a length of timber. Is this what some folk call a jointer?
I know nothing about the blades on such a tool. Are they proprietary to each brand? Is it possible/likely that the blades could be damaged and replacements not be available? Is sharpening the blades a DIY task?
The planer motor is 5kw so I assume that means it needs a 3-phase supply. This sounds like a powerful machine to me but I have nothing to compare it with. Is it OK?
What should I check on the machine before buying? How do I know if it is worth buying or a pile of scrap?
What question(s) should I be asking if I actually knew what I was talking about?
Is planer even the correct term to use? It is not a thicknesser, it is the power tool used to get a good face and a square edge on a length of timber. Is this what some folk call a jointer?
I know nothing about the blades on such a tool. Are they proprietary to each brand? Is it possible/likely that the blades could be damaged and replacements not be available? Is sharpening the blades a DIY task?
The planer motor is 5kw so I assume that means it needs a 3-phase supply. This sounds like a powerful machine to me but I have nothing to compare it with. Is it OK?
What should I check on the machine before buying? How do I know if it is worth buying or a pile of scrap?
What question(s) should I be asking if I actually knew what I was talking about?