Thread: Thicknesser shopping!

or would the Hafco T-13A be better at $517?
http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W813#tabs

Last year I purchased the CT-330X Carbatec Thicknesser and it has been terrific. There has been a review done some time ago on this forum. It was a in depth review and well worth reading. Good luck on whatever you purchase.

I have that machine. I got it on sale for around 350 I think. I've had it for around fifteen months.

The first thing I would tell you about it is that it is LOUD LOUD LOUD.

LIKE REALLY REALLY LOUD!!!!!

Like "That's the first time I've ever increased the font in a post" loud. Sam Kennison loud. Nascar loud. Fifty calibre machine gun loud.

So be aware of that.

It cuts well. I put some nasty stuff through it and it doesn't really tear the grain out very often at all. Impressively so I would say.

The rollers have started to slip and stick a bit over time, so sometimes I have to push boards through. I also feel like the minimum length it will handle has begun to decrease some.

It's not a very accurate machine, it is not a very fast or efficient machine, but it does do the job.

I can't really comment on other machines, aside from saying that I wish I had just bitten the bullet and bought a high end combo machine like the Jet JPT-310hh from the start. You, like many others, may find yourself getting more serious about woodworking and wishing you'd just bought the last one you'll ever need off the bat.

For an entry level thicknesser go for it. You can always sell it.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Luke

P.S. It is so loud...
P.P.S. So loud...

In all honesty I have been out all day picking this stuff up.

I bought the Hafco 330mm simply because it had the better width to it.
Yeah I went into it knowing itd be loud and at times id have buyers regret but I cant really afford the upkeep of the spiral cutters right now ($66 for 10 blades and you need 80)
But I will be wearing ear protection and no one else will be working with me while I do it so no need to worry there.


Thanks for all the input again guys!
Cant wait to try this sucker out

Originally Posted by Brettles

Thanks to everyones help on my previous post!

Ill be in sydney picking up my new table saw tomorrow and was wondering about thicknessers.

I see Carbatec has a 12" for sale at $417
https://www.carbatec.com.au/machiner...thicknesser-12

Apart from the colour, it looks identical to my Ryobi thicknesser. I can't remember the exact price but under $400 from Bunnies.

Originally Posted by snowyskiesau

Apart from the colour, it looks identical to my Ryobi thicknesser. I can't remember the exact price but under $400 from Bunnies.

What's your opinion on the Ryobi after owning one? I'm interested in buying a thicknesser and I asked re a Jet from Carb-a-tec in the "machinery" section of the forum and got no answers. The Ryobi was another choice.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Lappa

What's your opinion on the Ryobi after owning one? I'm interested in buying a thicknesser and I asked re a Jet from Carb-a-tec in the "machinery" section of the forum and got no answers. The Ryobi was another choice.

Cheers

I'm not sure that the Ryobi Bunnings currently sell is the same model as I have or perhaps it's just a colour change again - the switch is different too.
Mine works well enough although all I've put through it is pine studs. The finish is good and adjustment is fine enough, the scale seems accurate too.. Dust collection is quite effective and not much clean-up required after use. (using a Dust Deputy and Shop Vac)
It weighs quite a bit (current spec says about 30kgs) and is a struggle to lift up from the floor to the bench. One day a proper cart will be built...

[QUOTE=Lappa;1893296]What's your opinion on the Ryobi after owning one?

I have an old Ryobi which looks identical to the Carbatec one. It does a terrific job on widths up to 200mm. It'll take up to 320mm but struggles to clear the waste from wider pieces even with the strongest dusty attached.

It's a bit noisy, but that's to be expected.

mick