Customer Reviews

DELTA 22-540 12-Inch Portable Planer

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have owned the 22-540 for five years. When I purchased the machine, I was attracted by the low price and the fact that there were few alternatives on the market at that time, unless you wanted to purchase a 15 inch stationary planer. This model represented Delta's original foray into the market and this model has needed modifications in its design. The fact that it has dropped about $150 in price over the last five years is indicative of how overpriced it originally was and how it currently compares to the competition. My complaints about this machine: 1. Poor infeed and outfeed support result in serious sniping 2.There is no lock on the thickness adjustment and if you plane multiple boards, the cutter head backs off and the thickness will vary between the first and last boards you plane on the same setting. 3. It is somewhat difficult to replace the spring-mounted blades and you need to purchase a set of magnetic blade holders in order to get both blades set at the same height on either end. 4. The blades dull very quickly and it would be preferable to have an option of carbide blades because of the amount of time required to change the blades. 5. The machine really labors when planing wider boards and has a tendency to run the boards through at an angle rather than parallel to the sides of the planer. There are much better models which are available today and unless you plan to do a very limited amount of planing, you would be better off to spend a little more money and purchase a better piece of equipment.

I have owned my 540 for about 3years and have run at least 1000bd ft through it. Although mostly cedar, the unit has seen oak, hickory, osage orange, and some kind of black african wood that was hard as steel. The planer performed well on all. The steel knives do dull fairly quick, but are reasonable to change if your careful. I contacted Delta about a year ago and they did offer carbide double edge knives, but [at a muchhigher price], I'll get by with the steel ones. Snipe is a problem with the short outfeed tables but can be minimized using caution. Some of the other reviews appear somewhat harsh, and are not entirely unfounded. This is not a high production machine and probably requires extra care, but at [asignificantly lower price] than its DeWalt counterpart, I feel it is an ideal addition to any personal woodworking shop.

I have had this planer for a year and it has worked OK. Snipe is a problem but can be corrected by shimming the in/out tables. One HUGE problem though, when I tried to change the knives for the first time, the little hex screws that release the knives round off. This happens even if you use a real wrench instead of the cheezey one they provide. And when the wrench slips, your knuckles go right into the blade. Once any of the 14 screws rounds off, that knife cannot be removed. And since the screws are buried in the cutting head you can't get any other kind of tool in help release the rounded screw. Along with most other models, the 12-1/2" Delta model has a MUCH better design. Now I have to take mine in and have it repaired so I would have been money ahead by buying a better model.

I've owned this planer for about two years and it works well. Infeed and outfeed tables kind of short, which leads to excessive snipe unless you support the ends of the boards. Added a formica-covered insert that effectively extends the tables. Eliminates the snipe and allows to thickness to about 1/8 inch thick. Produces a very smooth surface.

Deciding between this machine and the 560 was somewhat difficult but am happy with my decision. In retrospect, the small amount of snipe on longer boards isn't severe and not paying the extra amount for a lock down cutter isn't a regret.

After a minimal set up period, I was planing old barn lumber and was very pleasantly surprised at the results. If you don't try and take too much at one time, the feed rate doesn't tax the motor too hard even with 8 - 10 inch lumber. The knives are double edged and can be sharpened as well. There was an an extra set in the box so I don't think I'll be needing any in quite a while (baring unforseen nicking)

I've had this planer for over a year now, and I have used it to plane a lot of rough stock. I primarily use my planer for red oak and pine stock, which it handles quite well. My only complaint with this product is that without providing extra outfeed support, it does produce snipe. With extra support however, I get good results.

This is a money saving machine. It has worked rather well andthe setup was a snap for a person new to the hobbie. The "snipescare" that one hears about so much is nothing to be concerned about. I have found that 12" boards can dog the unit down a tad bit but what can you expect for the price. The dust chute is a must unless you have a person who does nothing but sweep. Wonderful machine and fun to use.

I have owned a 22-540 for about 16 to 18 months now. It is a hard worker, but the blades tend to dull very quickly (paint will due a number on the blades). I have been using the planes to strip the old paint off of 1X4 Redwood trim. It was simpler and faster then sanding (and less mess with a dust collector). The paint will noticable dull the blades in a couple of bd ft. I have gone through 5 sets of blades so far. This is not exactly what the 540 was designed for, but no real compaints. Besides the dulling blades, I had one problem when I broke a drive gear. The repair was inexpensive and it has not given me any trouble since. I truely like the 540, but invest in a good sharpener for the blades. It's well worth it.

The blades get sharp but dull very quickly with mesquite. Blade changes weren't too bad. I wish the steel was better quality in the blades. It does snipe noticeably.

I have owned my 540 for about 2 years and have run at least 2000bd ft through it. The unit has seen oak, cherry, maple, pine The planer performed well on all. The steel knives do dull fairly quick, but are reasonable to change if your careful. Snipe is a problem with the short outfeed tables but can be minimized using caution. This is not a high production machine and requires extra care, but at [asignificantly lower price] than its DeWalt counterpart, I feel it is an ideal addition to any personal woodworking shop.