Porter Cable Planer. Is it worth it?!? An honest review.

[@johnslaughter5475]

I, too, have this planer. It has served me quite well. I found a site that says they have Shelix helical blades for the PC305TP, $457.00. That may sound like a lot but, considering the significant improvement in cut and that it will lengthen the life of the planer, it's probably worth it. I agree the snipe is pretty bad. Cut a 12-1/2" x 6' piece of melamine. about 18"-24" from one end, attach a 1"x1" piece of hardwood. Be sure it is perfectly perpendicular to the side of the melamine. Insert this on your planer bed with the blocker board at the feed end. This will make a perfectly smooth feed bed for whatever you're planing. The melamine assures a smooth feed and the block makes sure the melamine stays in place. The length gives a lot of room for feed longer pieces of wood. I set my planer on a folding table on my driveway and put my wheel barrow at the outfeed end. Most of the chips go in the wheelbarrow and a sweep of my arm sends a lot more in it. I then take anywhere in the yard that I want wood chips. Check that the type of wood you're planing is not toxic to your garden and yard. Pine is one that should just go in the garbage. Site offering Shelix blades - mywoodcutters.com/SHELIX-heads/SHELIX-heads_for_Planers/SHELIX_Heads_for_Planers_by_PORTER_CABLE

[@rpgallagher7628]

To prevent snipe, run pieces end to end and run a scrap price last and you’ll almost always eliminate snipe.

[@jimramsey8102]

It is heavy, but it's still lighter than a Dewalt. Sacrifice boards are the best solution for snipe. You can cut down on the snipe by supporting the board as it goes in and especially when it comes out. Also, running the board through one more time at the same thickness helps.

[@Mr1bigsexy]

I’m going to pick up a used one for $100.00..thanks for the review

[@pferrondoss2075]

Thanks for your quick reply. I am referring to the screws that attach the infeed and outfeed extension tables. There are (2) phillips screws for each table. I even tried my impact driver. The request I made to the call center was not helpful as they just said to turn harder.

[@denizencarpentry4115]

I thought that’s what you were talking about. On my out feed wing on of those screws is missing. I hade to rig a replacement. One day I moved the planer and I found the screw and what looks like a lock washer. It’s supposed to not allow the screw to move. It looks just like a washer, Black, and inside/underneath the wing. Mine came off when I didn’t want it to. But I would try some pliers to pry off that lock washer. Let me know if it helps.

[@pianobar7801]

Very helpful. Thanks for posting.

[@Reid0225]

The DW735 planer snipes like that also and it has a cast bed, until a helical head your gonna snipe so just run a scrap piece before and after.

[@arimadx]

Just found out that my wife and friends all pitched in and are getting me this planer for my birthday and I couldn't be more excited ! I think I'll make my own dust collection port out of 1/4 inch ply though

[@denizencarpentry4115]

You could buy the delta dust port for 55 dollars off amazon. I made mine out of hvac material

[@arimadx]

@@denizencarpentry4115 ya, I think that's what I'll do. I actually found the delta dust port on amazon today for 35! I'll through something together out of plywood while I'm waiting on shipping though

[@wickedwoobie22]

@@arimadx link?

[@inspectrgajit]

Thanks for the honest review brother

[@arondaniel]

Ditto on every point you made, except for the one about making money on your projects, lol. I built a flip-top stand for mine because its just too heavy to move around and store. I also got that Delta dust hood which was expensive but fits perfectly and works well. Snipe is an ongoing issue. I try the end-to-end trick @RPGallagher mentioned but the feed is so fast on this thing I can't move fast enough. So I made a sled where I can wedge scrap before and after the workpiece to take the snipe. But because I am an idiot my sled had a screw sticking out and I ran it through about 2 dozen times before I noticed the planer bed was gouged.

[@LoveSaintBernards]

Good video, thanks for the info.

[@andremata7905]

Thank you my friend, this video was very useful, cause I've been thinking to buy it. So, your review helped me a lot with my doubts. Greetings from Costa Rica! I'm a subcriber now!

[@denizencarpentry4115]

Costa Rica is awesome. I have 2 friends that are from there. I’m still using this machine btw.

[@jlwade87]

Thanks

[@jimmybob7364]

Was gonna buy it but no dust collection and the flex in the bed plate....nope. Gonna get a Dewalt. Only 50 dollars more with military discount at Lowes.

[@jeffn621]

A dust collection add on is available on Amazon.

[@pferrondoss2075]

has anyone ever attempted to remove the intake/outtake scews? if so HOW

[@denizencarpentry4115]

Do you mean the riser screws that try and help level the intake/outtake wings? Or do you mean the screws that are attaching the wings to the body?