Thread: Combination Jointer/thicknesser???

I reckon you should have 2 separate machines as you have the room for them. I use my jointer and thickness all the time, and I cannot imagine myself changing the machine over every 5 minutes. It will drive me crazy. Combination machines are great for a small workshop but you don't have such problem.

Originally Posted by Elleff

Hi all,

I'm a new member on this forum and invite comment on my current plans.
I'm setting up a workshop and trading my triton for a table saw which will probably be carba tec. I also want to do some processing of recycled timber so will want a buzzer and thicknesser. Should I consider a combination machine or is it a better proposition to buy separate jointer and thicknesser? My use will only be for hobby/home type applications but I have recently retired and hope to have extra time for the "shed". I also have access to some dead trees which I would ultimately like to mill and use so I'm going to keep myself busy. Regards room in the workshop, it is 6m x 8.5m, 2.4 m plate height.

If you have the space and can afford 2 machines I would recommend getting the two. I have combo machine because I have no space and the flipping back and forth between jointer and thicknesser is time consuming.

Wongo is correct as always. You'll also find the table accuracy on a combination machine might not be the best - so it might not be much of a jointer.... I use mine only as a thicknesser these days.

Thanks Murray but I think I was wrong once.

Shhhhhh.....

Thanks for your advice. I must admit I favoured the separate machines but it's always good to get advice first from someone who has been there done that. I once made a decision without consulting my wife and I was ........ WRONG!!

Originally Posted by Elleff

Hi all,

I'm a new member on this forum and invite comment on my current plans.
I'm setting up a workshop and trading my triton for a table saw which will probably be carba tec. I also want to do some processing of recycled timber so will want a buzzer and thicknesser. Should I consider a combination machine or is it a better proposition to buy separate jointer and thicknesser? My use will only be for hobby/home type applications but I have recently retired and hope to have extra time for the "shed". I also have access to some dead trees which I would ultimately like to mill and use so I'm going to keep myself busy. Regards room in the workshop, it is 6m x 8.5m, 2.4 m plate height.

I have a tablesaw, and am now wondering whether I should have got a bandsaw first. I went to the woodshow to compare at around the 17"mark, and the choices were Carbatec, Jet, Hammer, and something from Global Machines, I think, that looked pretty dreadful.

Hammer looked too dear. I didn't bother over the price.

Jet looked nicer than Carbatec's, but not enough in my eyes to justify the extra price.

H&F and Timbecon were absent.

Carbatec's is a BSW-4300CE, and versions of that machine are available from several suppliers including Leda (SA), H+F and Ron Mack. fwiw in Ron Mack's shop, these are the tiddlers.

I found the manufacturer's website, and there are choices of wheels, table, fence (I think) and maybe other accessories. The choice of accessories does not affect the model numbers (unlike laptop computers), so it's a bit hard to compare.

However, Carbatec's saw has a bigger table than H&F's However, when I was looking at prices, H&F's next size up was cheaper, and has a bigger table than Carbatec's.

There are things one can do with a bandsaw that one cannot do on a tablesaw such as cut curved lines, saw thicker (these machines will cut to about 300 mm) timber. And, the kerf is narrower and the machine safer and quieter to use.

Consider what you want to do, and try to understand the two machines. The woodwhisperer ha videos on setting both up, and I have bought books on both from Carbatec,

In Perth, H&F doesn't sell much woodworking machinery, you go to Fiora Machinery in Beckenham.


Oh, Elleff, if you update your profile to reflect where in Perth you are, you will sometimes get more helpful advice, and maybe an offer to drop in.

There is one other advantage that combined jointer/thicknessers have over separates and that is jointing capacity . For example a 12" Woodfast or Jet combo will surface plane boards up to 12" wide.

The only stand alone jointers that do this are the industrial size behemoths and most people will settle for an 8" jointer. It may not be that often that you need anything wider, but the funny thing is, if you have the capacity you may find uses for it.

On the flip side, the thicknessing width is restricted to 12" as well and there is the inconvenience of being able to perform only one function at a time.

Originally Posted by MurrayD99

Wongo is correct as always. You'll also find the table accuracy on a combination machine might not be the best - so it might not be much of a jointer.... I use mine only as a thicknesser these days.

Hmmm. I don't think table inaccuracies are the province of combination machines alone. In any event, most machines I have seen have the ability for adjustment to achieve accurate alignment. What machine do you have ?

The issue I see with current combo units is the work height in thicknesser mode. Because the thicknesser invariably uses the bottom of the cutter headit must be lower than the jointer system. Either you have the jointer working higher than optimum or the thicknesser lower than optimum. Being a big boy (in 3D) I have machines mounted higher than typical for handling convenience, but having to drop material for the thicknesser typically 150mm lower and then recover it repeatedly would be un satisfactory. But I have a huge shed and space is less of an issue than it would be for someone with 3 x 3 to work in.

Also the 12in jointing capacity mentioned above is only really usefull if you have access to 12in stock, if you have to go a glue up, then 6 inch jointer capacity may be all you need, but a wider thicknesser capacity lets you take a final cut of a glued panel.

I suppose it's fair to say I have a whole lot of decisions to make as I'm setting up a new workshop. I do have a bandsaw and whilst it is only a 14" Carba Tec it seems to have done what I've asked of it to date. I've had it for several years and the only thought I've had related to the bandsaw was to install a riser kit which would increase cut depth to 12".
The table saw I will buy will probably be a Carba Tec TSC-10HB-R or a CTH-110L 1PH.
I also need to look at power. I have 3 phase to my shed but it's only to the board. If I want to use on machinery I will need to have a visit from the sparky. My current power outlets are all 10 amp so I would probably need to increase to 15 amp for some machines anyway. The jointer I buy would probably be a Carba Tec CTJ-150 or CTJ-350 and the thicknesser a CTJ-680. Can anyone advise pro's and cons of this thicknesser compared to CTJ-381 which has the motor below in the cabinet rather than above the cutterhead? Sorry to ask so many questions but I need to try to get it right! I also realise that these decisions relate to the work you want to do but this can change also. Johncs, I've taken your advice. Thanks to all for advice to date.

Originally Posted by Elleff

. Can anyone advise pro's and cons of this thicknesser compared to CTJ-381 which has the motor below in the cabinet rather than above the cutterhead? Sorry to ask so many questions but I need to try to get it right! I also realise that these decisions relate to the work you want to do but this can change also. Johncs, I've taken your advice. Thanks to all for advice to date.

I bought the thicknesser with the motor on top because I didn't like the idea of the table going up and down which, it seems to me, isn't very compatible with infeed/outfeed supports.

Then, last weekend, I went to an auction and spent money on some timber that's too wide to go through the machine!!

Originally Posted by TP1

Hmmm. I don't think table inaccuracies are the province of combination machines alone. In any event, most machines I have seen have the ability for adjustment to achieve accurate alignment. What machine do you have ?

Scheppach Kombi. Tables are too short and are a complete b$%^%$$% to adjust and won't maintain adjustment. It's a great machine for many things but it is no way up there with a standard cast iron buzzer for jointing. Later combination machines may be better but I reckon there's too many compromises - given the cost difference.

Originally Posted by Johncs

I bought the thicknesser with the motor on top because I didn't like the idea of the table going up and down which, it seems to me, isn't very compatible with infeed/outfeed supports.........................

Quite right. Thats the way a combination works of course (table moves) and it isn't they way you'd do it if you had a choice..