The size planer you are looking at is way more than adequate. I have a 20" and the only thing I really need that for is soundboard panel building - although it is nice to run a double pinblock through it. If you are not building these kinds of things, then a smaller planer will do. My original 12-1/2" DeWald two-knife planer worked well for me for many years, although running pinblocks and such through it took its toll on the two little flimsy blades - best to go at least one step up from what I had - maybe a 13" with three blades. Those old monster planers you are looking at - I've never owned one, and so I don't really know much about them - other than if in reasonable condition, they can go for centuries. It doesn't sound like they are giving it away - just like someone shopping for a used piano should, I'd recommend having someone experienced with these beasts inspect if with you prior to purchase. FWIW, you can get the same planer I have for only $1,500 http://grizzly.com/products/20-Planer/G0454 or you can upgrade to a spiral cutterhead for less than $2,500. It may not be quite the beast you are looking at, but it does have quite a large beastie factor. My understanding is that the main planer at the Charles Walter Piano Company factory is my planer with the spiral cutterhead. Are you building more pianos than them? ;-) I have about the same lack of information for you for the bandsaw as I did for the planer. http://owwm.com/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=973 The Specifications: Powermatic No. 141 14" Wood-Cutting Band Saw Serial No. 741252 Date of Manufacture: 1977 Blade to Frame: 14" Under Guide To Table: 6 1/2" (I have measured this as 6 1/4") Blade Speed: 3000 SFM Max. Blade Width: 3/4" Blade Length: 94" to 96" Weight with Stand and Motor (Crated): 355 lbs. Saw a few of these on Craigslist - price looks like it is in the ballpark. IMHO, I would go with a newer, larger, more powerful saw if you plan on cutting a lot of big maple - like resawing pinblocks, etc. HOWEVER, I personally know several folks that build new pianos from scratch in their shops and have old 14" Delta (or similar) bandsaws that they keep well-tuned and seem to like them very much. I have a Laguna LT 16HD - http://www.lagunatools.com/bandsaw.lt16hdclassic.aspx Hope this helps. Terry Farrell Farrell Piano www.farrellpiano.com ----- Original Message ----- i'm looking at a newman s248 planer, $2600: "24x8 inch planer, 7 1/2 hp 240volt 3 phase motor, new powermatic knives, new gibs, runs great" reads the description. does anyone have experience with newmans? reliable, well-built? also for a powermatic bandsaw, model# 141, $550: "14 inch, 115 volt, runs great" read the description. are these big enough to do pinblocks and other rebuildin' stuff? Daniel Carlton -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech_ptg.org/attachments/20090412/3db95ec1/attachment-0001.html>
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