Hello Everyone,

 

I am in the market for a thickness planer.  I have used a couple and really liked the Dewalt model.  I was at a tool outlet store yesterday and they had a Rigid planer there for $400 with 25% off. 

Does anyone have experience with the Rigid?  I have used Rigid tools before.  I know the table saw are pretty nice. The Dewalt is quite a bit more expensive.  I know sometimes it is worth spending the money and getting the better tool.  I am just a hobbyist/weekend warrior.  This is not something I will be needing all of the time, but have enough rough sawn lumber that a planer would be nice to have.  I am tired of having to go to my buddies house to use one.  As much as i would love to buy a Dewalt the Rigid's price is more attractive (especially to someone else that lives in the house  )

 

Do anyone else think that the Rigid is a good buy?

 

Thank you,

No experience with the Rigid, do you know who makes it that we can maybe expand the user pool?

Rigid is the brand name.  Home Depot sells a lot of Rigid tools.  

IDK who actually manufactures Rigid wood working tools. I do know that they fall under the same TTI umbrella as Milwaukee and Hart. Not bad company. I've had some limited experience with a buddie's Rigid planer and had no complaints. I can't speak to long term use, though. For a small bench type unit, I don't think you can go wrong with the DeWalt, though.

According to this chart, gene is correct...TTI manufacturer's them (lower left). Not sure that provides the info you want, ,but I'll say that I've read quite a few comments from Rigid planer owners that seem happy with their choice.

Edited November 21, 20223 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

I do not have any experience with the Ridgid planer.  I have the DW734 and some times I get snip and some times I do not.  I would think the Ridgid planer would not get better surface finish than my DW734.  I also would think the DW735 would get better surface finish than the DW734.  I know $ should always be considered, but I would lean towards the DW735.  Amazon has the DW735 on sale for ~$550 and another ~$50 for the folding table extensions.   Danl

1 hour ago, Danl said:

I do not have any experience with the Ridgid planer.  I have the DW734 and some times I get snip and some times I do not.  I would think the Ridgid planer would not get better surface finish than my DW734.  I also would think the DW735 would get better surface finish than the DW734.  I know $ should always be considered, but I would lean towards the DW735.  Amazon has the DW735 on sale for ~$550 and another ~$50 for the folding table extensions.   Danl

Wow! Mine came with the extensions. But, IIRC, it was around $ 550  ten years ago. But gas was under $ 3.00, too.

This is from Wood Magazine-

https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodworking-tools/reviews/jointer-planer/benchtop-planers

 

Rigid is second on their list after the DeWalt

 

Don't have that planer but their Oscillating Spindle Sander is great. I think I have a router also and it does a good job.

Planers are one of those things that you can often get a really good deal on in the used market.
If you don’t need one immediately, I would go this route.

Thank you for all of your comments guys.  I think that I am going to pull the trigger on the Rigid.  As much as I want the Dewalt I can not justify spending the money for the amount i will use it.  I do have a fair amount of rough sawn black walnut cut offs i want to make cutting boards out of.  I will be able to put it to the test between now and Christmas. 

I will let everyone know how the Rigid works out.  A tool review for others.

5 hours ago, Roy said:

I will let everyone know how the Rigid works out.  A tool review for others.

Looking forward to your experiences and review. From what I've read, most reviews are quite good.

 

Mine is an older Jet 12-1/2" benchtop. No longer manufactured by Jet. I stumbled onto it at a garage sale a few years back. New, in box, never opened. Gave $100 for it. It still had the Menards ship labels on the box. Like you, my usage didn't warrant lots of $$$'s. It has served me well. Other than that, I had nothing helpful to offer to your question.

17 hours ago, Roy said:

I will be able to put it to the test between now and Christmas. 

If you don't like it--- IIRC you have 30 days to return it to the big box stores & until 1/31/2023 to send it back to Amazon.   The 30 day period is SOMETIMES extended b/c of the holidays.

i've had the dewalt 735 awesome, and the ridgid 13'' it too was great, i did however move them out and kept my 15 inch oasis clone of a delta. and i have a delta 12.5 inch table top to do small jobs, can say, the delta gets one heckuva work out on all the small stuff ole gal does, the big guy well lets say its ready for blades, which should be here nay day i hope, then a few hours to set'm the other planers were easy peasey to set blades, as is the delta. little guy, has pins to place and they are two sided. 

snipe is inherent to all planers if not set up correctly, have an out feed table or make one outta melamine as a sled, i did that for the ridgid, it was about 3 ft long and was centered on the ways of the basic machine, it assisted greatly in minimizing snipe, once you get used to using one, you'll wonder why the heck didn't i get one sooner, 

congrats on trigger pulling and share results

rj in az

Don't forget about that lifetime service agreement that ridgid offers.  The registration is a little cumbersome, but could be worth it in the long run.

16 hours ago, knockonit said:

i've had the dewalt 735 awesome, and the ridgid 13'' it too was great, i did however move them out and kept my 15 inch oasis clone of a delta. and i have a delta 12.5 inch table top to do small jobs, can say, the delta gets one heckuva work out on all the small stuff ole gal does, the big guy well lets say its ready for blades, which should be here nay day i hope, then a few hours to set'm the other planers were easy peasey to set blades, as is the delta. little guy, has pins to place and they are two sided. 

snipe is inherent to all planers if not set up correctly, have an out feed table or make one outta melamine as a sled, i did that for the ridgid, it was about 3 ft long and was centered on the ways of the basic machine, it assisted greatly in minimizing snipe, once you get used to using one, you'll wonder why the heck didn't i get one sooner, 

congrats on trigger pulling and share results

rj in az

The DW 735 out feed and infeed tables are adjustable, as I suppose many others are. Adjusting the out feed table with a very slight up tilt will alleviate most of the snipe tendencies. If you can, lifting the leading end of the work as it nears the end of the cut, will help, too. Of course, you can plan for the snipe and cut your board 3 or 4 inches longer and cut off the snipe.

 

 

Edited November 23, 20223 yr by Gene Howe

Plan the plane, or snip the snipe.  

I know i have said it once, but thank you for all of the comments, thought, tips and ideas.  All of the positive thoughts on this site is tremendous!  It really reminds me why I dumped social media.  I have been lurking on here for a year with nothing to add, but you guys are great and helpful!  

I ordered the new Rigid planer the other day and it should be here on Saturday.  In other words,  the family wont see much of me on Sunday.  I have big plans, or should i say big planes.

I know bad joke!

1 hour ago, Roy said:

I know i have said it once, but thank you for all of the comments, thought, tips and ideas.  All of the positive thoughts on this site is tremendous!  It really reminds me why I dumped social media.  I have been lurking on here for a year with nothing to add, but you guys are great and helpful!  

I ordered the new Rigid planer the other day and it should be here on Saturday.  In other words,  the family wont see much of me on Sunday.  I have big plans, or should i say big planes.

I know bad joke!

Looking forward for the review!!

On 11/23/2022 at 1:29 PM, lew said:

Looking forward for the review!!

Me too!