Important Disclaimer
This article references a model that is no longer in production. Please note that the availability of replacement parts or discussed accessories is not guaranteed.
Can I cut metal or other non-wood materials with your planers?
Although our planers will physically cut many different types of materials, they are only designed to cut natural woods. Cutting materials not intended to be cut on a woodworking planer can result in serious injury to the operator or bystanders, and it could decrease the life of the machine and void the warranty.
Can I still use my planer without connecting it to a dust collector?
Yes, but we don’t recommend it. Without using a dust collector, the dust will quickly pile up inside and around your machine, resulting in additional cleaning time later. Besides making a mess, fine dust can be harmful to your respiratory system. A better choice is to connect your machine to a properly-designed dust collection system that at least pulls the recommended minimum CFM for your machine's dust port.
How do I know which size motor I'll need for my planer?
The answer primarily depends on three factors:
- Your average stock width
- Your typical wood type or variety
- Your anticipated cutting frequency or overall demands placed on the planer
It is important to note that with a slow enough feed rate, any of our planers can cut a piece of hardwood up to that machine's maximum cutting width. Unfortunately, using too slow a feed rate can result in ripples and chipping in your workpiece. Using a feed rate that is too aggressive can cause a motor to bog down, raising the motor’s internal temperature to thermal breakdown. Once a motor reaches this state, continued operation (without allowing sufficient cool-down time between cuts) can result in motor failure.
A larger motor could easily perform the same type of work without ever reaching thermal breakdown. To give a practical perspective:
- 1.5 HP motor: Can repeatedly cut 6" wide hardwoods with an aggressive feed rate without bogging down.
- 3 HP motor: Can cut the same type of stock at approximately twice the size with the same feed rate without bogging down.
Your goal should be to select a motor size that will handle the majority of what you’ll be cutting regularly, without bogging the motor down.
What is the difference between G5850Z and G0544?
- The G0544 comes equipped with a spiral cutterhead.
- The G5850Z comes equipped with four 1/8" thick HSS knives.
Aside from these differences and appearance, the two models are identical.