Powermatic 1791210 Model 15S Deluxe 15-Inch 3-Horsepower 230-Volt 1-Phase Planer with Spiral Cutterhead and Digital Readout

The 15S 15-Inch Planer At a Glance: Spiral cutterhead creates quick, smooth cuts 3-HP TEFC motor; handles wood up to 6" thick 2-speed gearbox provides choice of feed rates All-metal dust hood diverts debris Lockable casters and sliding handles for portability

Power is transmitted to the cutterhead by three v-belts that turn the pulleys.

Table height is adjusted with a large cast-iron handwheel with a spinner knob.

Smooth Infeeds and Outfeeds
The 15S features stock return rollers, a serrated steel infeed roller, and a smooth steel outfeed roller, that increase the speed of repetitive cuts and allow for positive feeding without marring of the stock.

What's more, the 15S offers a choice of material feed rates, so you can get the right finish for the job. The two-speed gearbox features an automatic chain tensioner for consistent cuts.

Durable, Adjustable, and Maneuverable
The 15S's table is made of cast iron with a smooth, precision-ground surface for durability and easy feeds. A pair of extension wings lets you handle larger workpieces, and a large cast-iron handwheel and digital measurement readout help you position the table quickly and easily.

A locking table design prevents the table from shifting during cutting, and lockable iron casters make sure the tool moves only when you want it to. And with hidden sliding handles for lifting the machine, portability is never a problem.

Dust Hood Deflects Debris away from Your Workpiece
To help protect components and improve visibility, an all-metal dust hood diverts debris from the cutterhead. The hood terminates with a four-inch diameter port that is conveniently angled to the side, so the dust collector hose does not interfere with the exiting stock.

Dimensions and Warranty Information
The 15S measures 28.0 x 43.5 x 48.0 inches (WxHxD), weighs 507 pounds, and is backed by a five-year warranty.

What's in the Box
15S Planer; dust hood; two cast-iron extension tables; handwheel; handle; standard hex wrenches; T-handle hex wrench (4mm), two open-end wrenches (8 - 10mm and 12 - 14mm); three bags of fasteners; owner's manual; two knife adjustment pins; and warranty card.

Built around an enclosed, welded steel base cabinet, this planer uses precisely machined iron castings to ensure durability and precise, repeatable operation.

If the machine runs this well in five years-with proper care, I will be very pleased.


Maybe a mistake   December 12, 2008
Bobby Stanley (Houston, TX)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

I purchased this machine several years ago. Presently it costs $800 more than the Delta model.
Things to consider.
What do you do when you nick a blade? Can't sharpen it on my Tormek T7.
Two speeds 16 and 20. I can't tell a difference.
The Delta's top speed is 30 fpm. That is a big difference in performance.
When planing long boards you have to adjust infeed and outfeed tables on the Powermatic.
The Delta allows companies to make permanent infeed and outfeed tables.
Mobile base is inline and doesn't allow you to turn easily.

Just things to consider. I agree if you are going Powermatic the HH design is probably the better choice.
Bobby Stanley


The Last Powermatic I'll Ever Buy   August 16, 2008
K. Miller
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

I waffled between buying the high-end Jet planer and the Powermatic 15HH (both with Byrd Helical Cutters) and ended up buying the Powermatic. The unit arrived with the packaging in good condition.

I started working through the assembly/test process and it rapidly became apparent that Powermatic has lost the Quality they were known for. What I've found:

1. The built-in lift rods seemed great at first glance. And while they might work for a fork-lift, they won't work with a shop crane - the rollers on top of the motor interfere with the webbing.

2. Removing the pulley cover revealed about 1/2 cup of belt shavings in the bottom - obviously it had been turned on, and just as obviously, no one checked to see if the pullys were aligned right. The motor pulley was 1" (!!!) out of plane and the motor mounting bracket (which is welded to the frame) was not horizontal - I had to shim up two of the mounting bolts almost 1/4" to get it parallel. (by the way, all but one of these are hidden inside the machine, so you are doing some painful contortions to get to these bolts.

3. The casters on the base are not the same height and are not adjustable. I end up shimming it up.

4. You can't add the extension tables unless you add washers to the mounting bolts - the bolt torque throws the tables out of alignment.

5. All the remaining roller, blade, chip deflector, etc settings were according to the manual, however, it simply would not plane. The wood runs in to the serrated in feed roller and makes a hard stop. The in feed roller simply chews away the wood until you turn it off. After several hours of tinkering, here's what it took to get it to work:

5a. table rollers must be ~.02 *above* table (were originally set below table). If they are lower than this, the feed roller pushes the lumber down and it jams in the feed roller opening on the table. NOTE: when you tighten the set-screws, the table rollers drop about 0.03", so you have to start high and feel your way into the right final setting.

5b. feed roller tension had to be backed off 3 full turns (all 4 adjusters) - original settings were so high that it simply mashed the lumber (red oak) so that it catches in the table roller slot.

5c. had to raise the chip deflector to 0.04" above recomended setting.

5d. for me, the table rollers were the key to eliminating snipe.

After it's up and running, here are the good points:

1. You can tweak it to be snipe-free. That is wonderful!
2. The cuts are mirror smooth - no tearout at all.
3. Lots of power.
4. Quiet. Really quiet. You have to look for chips in the dust collection to make sure it's planing.

Unfortunately, I have to wonder what other hidden flaws are embedded in places I can't see. And, honestly, it is so sensitive to minor (as in 0.005" is the difference between working great and not working at all) adjustments that I'm not sure how it will work over a large set of wood species. If you have to tweak it for each one, it will be a nightmare.

Final minor annoyances:
1. Powermatic used every different kind of fastener possible on this. Most high end products standardize to a few so you don't have to have all of your tools out to work on it.

2. The finish is the usual poor Powermatic finish - doesn't cover all of the casting, and over-spray on what should be machined surfaces (like the table tops).

3. There seems to be a lot of slop in the table height adjustment - there is about 1/8 revolution of slack when you are adjusting it. That means you always have to back off past the desired depth setting, then advance to where you want it to take the slack out before you lock the table.

4. The casters don't pivot. The only way to turn it is to drag it. Not a big deal if it's fixed, but I tend to move mine around a lot.

5. Ergonomics are bad. Table height adjustment is on the opposite side of the table locks, so you have to walk around the machine/lumber to lock/unlock it.

6. I just don't like power cables dangling to the control box. I'd rather have them in the chasis with a big kill switch and no exposed wiring runs.

My first Powermatic investment was an 8" planer, which had/has similar problems. I assumed it was just a fluke and bought this. So now I know, it's not a fluke, Powermatic has either lost the recipe or just doesn't care.

Stay away from the 'Gold Standard', it's really just 'Mediocre Mustard'



not ready for market   February 28, 2004
frank thomas (Roseville, CA United States)
38 out of 46 found this review helpful

It seems that this planer was not tested thouroughly before being distributed. The digital scale has to be re-calibrated after being turned off and back on. The locking casters don't lock. The serrated infeed roller leaves marks on softer woods on light passes. The disposable knives are very poor quality and leave valleys in the planed material along the length of the boards. Both sets of knives I tried were completely dull after less than 300 board feet of planing. The flexible blades are self gauging but are difficult to wrestle into place. These results were after checking all factory settings with micrometer.