Thread: Newby Qu: Thicknessers

Steve,

Answer to Question 1: widest and most powerfull that you can afford.

Answer 2, Occasionally but you have to be quick.

Sorry can't answer question 3 for you.

As for some of the other comments:

One thing I am unsure of is is it worth buying a thicknesser. I (maybe naively) think that one of these would pay for itself in reduced timber cost by allowing me to by rough sawn KDHW and dressing it.

No, they will pay for them selfs if you compare prices of DAR and rough sawn timber. Also use of recycled timber.

I see a Ryobi factory refurbishment thicknesser for sale for ~$300. The guys at Triton office suggested a $700 unit would be about right.

See answer to question 1, though I did get one of the refurbished units directly from Ryobi in Melb. and payed less than $200 at the time. I've used it pretty much on nothing but hardwoods and its still going strong.

One more thing you do realise that you will need a jointer as well in order to dress timber square.

Himzo.

Originally Posted by sb99

QUESTION: If I joined the Chadstone/Holmesglen/Vic Triton club, is it Kosher to do all my dressing there?
Any advice appreciated.

Steve

Answer, No. The reason is simply that it's not what we do. Our meetings are more demo/project creation with master Triton Demonstrator, Brian Blight in attendance. We only meet once a month so the club is aimed at giving you the advice and ideas, rather than a hands-on woodworking club. You could join Waverley woodworkers however. They have their own workshop and it's like a community club where you use the machines (but it can be busy and time is often limited). Why not pop in to our next Triton club meeting at Holmesglen anyway and check us out. Visitors are always welcome, we usually have one or two each month. There's absolutely no pressure to join but if you do, it's only $50 for the year. Tell them Gumby sent you.

Gumby your new avatar is hideous

Yeah he needs to change the name too Beavis... but who's gunna be Buthead?

I just love those guys but I think i'll change it back again

Thanks for the replies.

I didnt know about jointers. To tell you the truth, I thought jointer was another way of saying joiner (and I was looking to get a biscuit joiner).

After a bit of Googling, I understand the need for a jointer, thinknesser and/or table saw, and associated costs. Im starting to get that sinking feeling.

Like I said, Im a newby. I think you may be seeing me in the book store in the cabinet making section to find out what tools I would need.

Will definitely check out Triton and Waverly Clubs.

Another question: Are there cabinet makers (etc) around that would help create plans for furniture I want to build? Id be happy to pay for someone to take the style of table/buffet etc I want to build (I have lots of sample photos), and write up a design (dimensions, joints, cautions etc) I could follow. Or is this like going into a restaurant and asking the chef to show you how to make a meal?

I dont think anyone would do that for you. You can buy pretty good plans off the net, although they're all in a strange language called "imperial". Not sure who the emperor is but he must've used terms like "44/47ths", "thou's" and "furlongs".

Metric plans are aroudn but they're not as plentiful.

Unless you are prepared to do a lot by hand, then yes it can be expensive. Even if you decide to do it by hand it will still be expensive (decent hand planes are very expensive unless you can pick up a good second hand one).

Once you get that Tablesaw set up, you then realise you will probably need a router and router table. Then you need a jointer and thicknesser, this of course requires decent dust extraction, so you need a dust extraction unit. Then the more you hang around here, you realise you could really do with a bandsaw and drill press. Of course you also need at least one hand plane, random orbital sander, some chisels, mallets, handsaws, screwdrivers and etc etc etc...

Then once you try to use your planes and chisels, you want to know how to use them and keep them sharp. You come looking here and get lost in a gazillion pages on how to sharpen the bleeping things and you come out more confused than when you went in.

And THEN, theres all the jigs and other necessities that you can make or buy to make the job just that much better....

Finally, you want to learn about finishing and you realise its a whole other discipline!!!

Not that Im speaking from personal experience though

It is very satisfying when you actually get down to making something though. I must admit it was most satisfying paring out some mortices with my newly razor sharp chisels and dry fitting a whole structure together and it being as solid as if it was glued

Anyways, enough of my rambling..

Redback

Not rambling mate, just telling (some) of the tale of the never-ending journey - into the darkside

Cheers!