: Often the cheaper planer has a fault that the more expensive model
: doesn't. With planers it's called "SNIPE". It's caused
: by the table not controlling the board as it comes off the feed
: roller. The result is the last bit of the board is tapered and
: may not be usable. You need to dig up some comparative
: literature to find out which machines don't snipe.

Before I bought my planer I read extensively the tests done by two magazines. Every planer both magazines tested had some degree of snipe. There is no way to hold the wood onto the table just before it hits the cutters, so the free end is always gonna move a tiny amount. The better planers had less snipe than the worst ones. If they have improved the design of any planers in the last 6 years, it would only be on the most expensive models.

Snipe only occurs close to the ends--in the first or last 2 to 5 inches.

The cure for snipe, in all cases, is to start with longer boards (or strips in our case) plane them, and then cut of the ends. that gives you shorter strips, but all the snipe is gone. It is a pain in the neck, but something to live with.

The better planers have better power-feed mechanisms, easier ways to insert and level the planer blades, more blades (3 blades rather than two give 50% more cuts per revolution of the cutter head). more powerful moters which allow deeper passes, better dust and chip collection set ups. You'll see features like accurate depth-of-cut indicators, fixed stops for repeatable setting of common thicknesses, and I'm sure they are thinking of more features for next year to make planers even better.

If anyone does get a planer, I strongly suggest getting a second set of blades at the same time you get the planer. You will likely mess up the first set while you are learning about your new tool, and it is good to have the spare set on hand so you can finish the job you started. If your blades are sharpenable, get the name of a good sharpening service. Then check online for a good price on a third set of blades,'cause these things can't be sharpened forever. You'll be sending one set of blades to be sharpened while the second set is being used. If your machine has disposable blades which can be flipped to use a second fresh edge before being discarded, get two spare sets with your planer. In 2 or 3 years your planer model will probably be replaced with something newer which uses a different sized blade. Two years later you store won't stock your blades t all--they'll be selling replacement blades for the newest model. Fortunately there are lots of online sources for blades, and the motors run for many years, so these tools will last.

Hope this helps

PGJ