The 12 1/2″ Ryobi thickness planer was recently released and I was lucky enough to receive one from team Ryobi to evaluate. The timing was good as I had recently gone back to a local Amish shed builder and restocked my supply of rough cut hemlock boards. They are all 6″ x 1″ full dimension rough cut boards. I have found a number of uses for these thick boards, and have primarily used them in their rough cut form. I was in need of some smooth boards though, as I needed a larger table top for set up at our local farmers market. Five boards planed smooth on one side and two portable saw horses later, I was in business. The table is ready, the vegetables are ripe and we’re ready to go! So let’s take a quick look at the new 12.5″ Ryobi thickness planer. Read More
Tools
Ryobi Expand-It Trimmer and Edger – An Edgy New 40v System
Before the Ryobi Expand-It system entered my life, I bought my first home. That was 2008. With that transaction came the necessity to purchase a number of power tools and yard maintenance items to maintain said home, and the small yard that accompanied it. Being relatively poor from having just spent a good chunk of change on the down payment – but mostly on the other fees and taxes you may neglect to consider before buying a home, my budget was relatively limited. As much as I liked them, I wouldn’t soon be purchasing a huge 5hp gas powered brush cutter to tame my relatively compact lawn (as much fun as those could be). What was in my budget though was a nice compact little 18V string Trimmer from Ryobi. Read More
