Need your experiences with heavy duty planers. We have a Dewalt 12 inch, but it gets a serious workout with even small projects. Not looking to break the bank, but an upgrade over what we have now.

Most common issue with small planners is keeping the blades very sharp... might be good to look at having your current planer sharpened and carefully installed first... unless the current model is one of the real lightweights?

Good advice, after burning up a DeWalt lunchbox planner, I bought a Grisly 16 " job. Sharp knifes are all important.

Over on the sawmill forum,(FORESTRY FORUM dot COM) the Woodmaster planers get fair amount of press for the serious hobby workers to just starting out professional wood shops 110/220V / 1ph. The smaller commercial, cast iron, 3ph units were going really cheap several years ago when all of the U.S. furniture companies either imploded or moved off shore. If you wanted to run a phase converter, you could get some decent used commercial 12" to 20" units for not much more than the fancy units at Lowe's. Not sure what that market looks like now.

I also run a 16" Grizzly and have for at least 25 years. It is a good machine with sharp, properly adjusted blades...

I have a Woodmaster 28" wide surface sander and have used it for many years without issue. They make good stuff.

I run two 24" Crescent direct drive planers.

I have a vintage Delta that will out live me, don't over look the older tools that take 3 men & a boy to carry.

I have an old 24” Oliver. Built like a tank.

Check out on line auctions in your area,this is just one in my area.Do -Bid.A nice one on there now ,just as a example.I have bought a few things on there from pick ups to table saws.Dabble

Ditto. And while 3phase, heavy duty machines can be bought for pennies on the dollar. IIRC, I paid ~$800 for my 18" Delta that included the on-board knofe sharpener and dust hood.

i have a enlon 15x8 3 1/2hp 220v which is very much like the grizzly. bought 2 sets of blades and the planer way back in 1990 when i bought my house.at 650.00 it was the best money i spent. i have ran truckloads of lumber thru that thing. remodeling a house built 1927 rustic style it was a must.

Is that a Delta wedge bed?I have a gear box for the in feed roller. Dabble

At PracticalMachinist.com there is a wood working forum. The owner made his money on woodworking tooling.
HUGE forum. Guys making a living with wood working tools.

Just another source.

Older is better.

If you're wanting to stay in the 12" range look towards an old Buss, Parks, or Powermatic 100. If you're also looking to increase capacity there is tons of old iron out there - if you're even halfway handy at getting stuff tuned up and going you can find some real steals. Even stuff that is functioning perfectly often goes for less than something new that is garbage in comparison. Names to look for are Powermatic, Oliver, Northfield, Yates, Buss, Whitney, Wadkin, Delta (old, American made Delta).

Don't be scared off by 3-phase equipment as it can be an absolute steal a lot of the time if you're smart enough to wire up VFD or a RPC in the shop.