Good luck finding a decent used machine. Been looking for months. Big 3 phase from commercial shops or a estate sale asking more than the price of a new one.
Agreed, not easy to find.
IF a 12" planer would work for you (and that is a limitation), here's a CL post from 8 days ago, in Sanford NC.
Vintage sears craftsman thickness planer - $350 (sanford)
Don't be fooled by the Craftsman badge, that is a Belsaw planer and a heavy duty machine (230V/24A). Platen raises and lowers, rather than the head. Lotsa 'exposed' drive chains. It's not a perfect solution, but if it were my $$, I'd rather put a Shelix/Byrd/spiral/insert-cutter head into this beast than into any 'portable' planer.
My experience is that this is a trouble free machine - at least mine is. I am not a regular planer user, so I'd say mine has had infrequent use, although I have processed pieces large and small.
As a bonus, it also has a dust blower - hahaha! - that spreads the chips all over the shop. There is no containment strategy - just an open hood back there. Visible in that first picture.
Vintage sears craftsman thickness planer - $350 (sanford)
image 6 of 7
condition:
good
make / manufacturer:
sears craftsman
model name / number:
113. 12320
Thickness planer in great shape for sale. a great addition to your wood shop. It can handle wood that is 12" wide and 6" thick. Single phase 230 V motor. This machine is already on a steel wheeled attached cart. The infeed roll is the only part that needs replacing. It runs great as of 1 week ago.
It has a replacement set of blades that go with the unit. A real solid machine.
Check out the pictures.
If interested, please provide a phone number and I will contact you.
When I respond, it might go into your junk file, so check.