Two weeks ago I decided it was time to buy a benchtop planer. I’ve been looking and comparing the various models on the market and decided to go with the Ridgid Model TP1300 13” planer.

My main decision to go with this more expensive (its 100 dollars more than the Delta 12 ½ inch) unit was based on three points.

• First was a comparison article in a woodworking magazine. The Ridgid and Delta both ranked in the highest positions.
• Second, the Ridgid has huge infeed/outfeed tables. The smaller units on the market have these tiny foldout shelves that looked fragile and easily bendable. I wanted solid tables that would provide uniformity to the plane.
• Third, the Ridgid has preset stops. If I need ¼” strips, I can guarantee they will be ¼” every time. The third point was the biggest selling point for me. When I buy a portable saw mill I’ll be looking for this feature again.

My first impressions are: This unit is very solid weighing in at 84 pounds. It’s also very quiet which was quite a surprise. A ran a lot of Port Orford Cedar, some fir and some cherry through the unit so far. The planing uniformity is excellent. No side-to-side adjustment was needed. All the controls are laid out in a straightforward manner. The only part I found confusing was finding the built in tool kit. I found it!

I’m now “Crazy Planing Man” and can’t get enough of it.

Got to go… there’s planing to be done

Roger

PS. In the picture, the small red triangle on the lower right is the preset knob/stop.