Planer or Thicknesser??

[Taffy]

All you guys out there that have had experince with Planer/Thicnessers, I am in need of advice. I have it mind that a new toy for my toy shop would be most useful. I started off thinking I needed a Thicknesser but now i am not so sure.
After driving around and spending some time on the net I am confused as to what machine Would siute me best. I have some timber that is dressed on one side (140x20 hardwood) that I would like to use for furniture making. I also have a quantity of Fijian Walnut 100x100 that is rough sawn and would need dressing all round. From the info that I have collected today it seems that a thicknesser requires the timber to be dressed at least on one side which makes me think a Planer would be of more use, I have looked at a couple of combination Planer/Thicknessers but have been advised by some sales persons that I should have two seperate machines. 1 new toy is ok 2 is perhaps a bit of a luxury. do you guys who have used these machines have any advice on the subject? prices have ranged from a few hundred to a few thousand, I am not a cheapskate but I do not have thousands to spend on each machine.
Your advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Taffy

[duckman]

Hi Taffy,

I don't yet own either a thicknesser or a jointer (planer) but I can tell that they are usually used together ie the jointer is used to straighten your timber on one edge and one face, then that timber is fed through the thickenesser to plane the face and edge opposite those that were 'planed' on the jointer and to bring the timber to the desired finished thickness.

Can't advise on specifici machines, but if you do a search the forum you'll turn up several threads on this subject.

HTH,

Mark.

[Gumby]

Ducky is correct. Do a search and read, read, read. There's heaps of info. When you've finished, run out and get the Carbatec ML 392 combo....under a grand and ideal for the home handy guy. One thing you'll find is that one isn't much use without the other. To get timber true and square, you need both.

[Taffy]

Thanks guys, Gumpy do you have a Carbatec ML 392? they are chinese so I would need convincing that they were not all show and rubbish. Carbatec also have aPT-260 this has a 3hp motor, only 2 blades (392 has 3) and no dust port sme price made in Taiwan. Hafco have this machine for $70 less with a smaller motor.
As for Home handyman well.... I keep getting asked at the stores if I am a handyman or a serious DIY. I have to say I am a Serious type.

[Gumby]

Thanks guys, Gumpy do you have a Carbatec ML 392? they are chinese so I would need convincing that they were not all show and rubbish. Carbatec also have aPT-260 this has a 3hp motor, only 2 blades (392 has 3) and no dust port sme price made in Taiwan. Hafco have this machine for $70 less with a smaller motor.
As for Home handyman well.... I keep getting asked at the stores if I am a handyman or a serious DIY. I have to say I am a Serious type.

Yes, I've got the ML 392. A few of us in here have them and I chose that in preference to the PT 260. You have to remember that the price will dictate quality and for the garage I can't justify spending $2000+ on one.

For $895, it's a good machine, much heavier and therefore more stable than the 260. The feed trays are better too. The 3 blades can be replaced for about half the cost of the PT260 and is easy to convert from one mode to the other.


We have had some issues with this machine which have been sorted out. Do a search on ML 392 in these forums and you'll find out all about it.

[JackG]

Taffy,
Even if your timber is dressed on one side it does not mean that it is not warped or has cupped and you will need a joiner to make sure you start with something flat and straight.
Some ppl say that you can flatten boards on the thicknesser... well I had a go and I was not very successful so I ended up with a joiner.
If you have room I would go for separate machines, unless you are super methodic and plan exactly the order of your work, it is handy to leave the thicknesser adjusted for feeding a board later etc..
The advantage of the combos is that you get a pretty wide planer at an affordable price but the tables are a lot shorter than on dedicated machines.
With current price of timber I think the few hundreds dollars difference between a combo or 2 machines is not that relevant.

Hope that helps