Thread: Carbatec 8 inch jointer thoughts

I had one for several years, and now have a Hammer combination jointer/thicknesser. Then point being that the Hammer has a much shorter (and wider) bed). I have not found the shorter bed to cause any limitations so, unless you are working with extra long stock, do not consider the extra length of the Carbatec to be important. At the same time, the extra width of the Hammer (12") is very useful. You may want to consider a cheaper combination machine just for the wider jointer feature.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

I had one for several years, and now have a Hammer combination jointer/thicknesser. Then point being that the Hammer has a much shorter (and wider) bed). I have not found the shorter bed to cause any limitations so, unless you are working with extra long stock, do not consider the extra length of the Carbatec to be important. At the same time, the extra width of the Hammer (12") is very useful. You may want to consider a cheaper combination machine just for the wider jointer feature.

Regards from Perth

Derek

hey derek thanks for the advice, I just bought the dewalt 735 thicknesser 2 months ago and wasn't planning on buying a jointer but I really need one now. I should put it up for sale then as I was just looking at the jet 12inch combo for $2700 which wouldn't blow the budget if I sell the thicknesser. What are your thoughts on them? Btw do you mind if i ask how much the hammer combo was? Also are they a pain to change around?

cheers

Originally Posted by M.cedro

Also are they a pain to change around?

cheers

i, independently did the same as derek ... the 8inch jointer was a solid and good machine but, if you can run to it the 12inch width of the hammer is a significant benefit to me ... likewise, i don't notice the shorter bed

they are dead easy to convert from one to the other ... a couple of minutes at most .... the longest part is winding the bed up or down, although i also always check for square again when i set up the jointer ... i have the three cutters version and they are also very easy to reverse and then swap over



regards david

Originally Posted by M.cedro

hey derek thanks for the advice, I just bought the dewalt 735 thicknesser 2 months ago and wasn't planning on buying a jointer but I really need one now. I should put it up for sale then as I was just looking at the jet 12inch combo for $2700 which wouldn't blow the budget if I sell the thicknesser. What are your thoughts on them? Btw do you mind if i ask how much the hammer combo was? Also are they a pain to change around?

cheers

I have not used the deWalt, but they have a good reputation for reliability ... and noise!

Eventually moving up to spiral blades on the thicknesser is the biggest upgrade of all - the quality of the finish is better, but it is the lower noise levels that is the big bonus. No longer will you have to worry about complaints from neighbours and family!

The Jet combo is a viable alternative, and a well-priced target if you are prepared to start over. I do not think that you will be disappointed taking the new path (but please recognise that it is just my personal preference, and not the only one available to you). Check out the reviews on this forum, however, since the Jet received a mixed bag a few years ago. I think that it has become more reliable since then.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

I have not used the deWalt, but they have a good reputation for reliability ... and noise!

Eventually moving up to spiral blades on the thicknesser is the biggest upgrade of all - the quality of the finish is better, but it is the lower noise levels that is the big bonus. No longer will you have to worry about complaints from neighbours and family!

The Jet combo is a viable alternative, and a well-priced target if you are prepared to start over. I do not think that you will be disappointed taking the new path (but please recognise that it is just my personal preference, and not the only one available to you). Check out the reviews on this forum, however, since the Jet received a mixed bag a few years ago. I think that it has become more reliable since then.

Regards from Perth

Derek

the noise factor I'm not so worried as I will be using it at my factory, say I did go for the carbatec 8 inch and kept the dewalt how are they as a machine, is it annoying having the long bed? if the hammer was in the jet price I would probably jump at it but they are more on the 4k mark yes?

cheers

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HAMMER-A3...item35f1a8c0f8

I have the Dewalt 735 (747) and gee is is loud!!!! But it is a great machine. I have had mine for (at a guess) about 4 years and really given it a good workout. I just recently replaced the blades (having done both edges on the original set) and am considering a spiral head but that will have to wait.

I bought a second hand Carbatech 8" spiral head Wednesday. It was a straight blade but the owner swapped it out for the CT spiral head. I have used it quite a bit in the last couple of days, I just faced an apron for my bench remodel and I can definitely say that it does not do the whole 8" but A clean up with a block plane and you would no know it . The only quibble is that the dust extraction is marginal with my old Jet wheelaround. But it works a treat and I am loving the long bed.

John

Originally Posted by Yanis

The only quibble is that the dust extraction is marginal with my old Jet wheelaround. But it works a treat and I am loving the long bed.

John

Bag was full - woops!

I have both the Dewalt 735 thicknesser (very noisy 95 dBA 3 blade version) and the Carbatec 8" jointer with spiral head. Both are excellent machines, very happy with them, except for the crappy quality blades that came with the Dewalt, and the expensive and thicker and just as crappy Infinity replacement blades. Changing to a spiral head is the long term plan here, but there is no noise reduction because all the noise is in the motor and the very powerful internal dust fan. My dust collection hose on the Dewalt accidentally came off when I was waiting near the outfeed table, and the shavings from the outlet was like being hit with a sand blaster. It certainly stung on my bare forearm.

The infeed table on the jointer is quite long, takes a bit of aligning with the outfeed table initially , but good for dressing long boards, especially those with a bit of cupping or bend in them. I like it. I still use a roller on the outfeed side for long boards, as it is not as long as the infeed table. Strongly recommend you get a good quality 1.2m straight edge for aligning the tables, and not an aluminium spirit level. Get them dead level ( coplanar wise) and you won't have any problems with snipe, the bane of jointers and thicknessers.

I easily fixed the dust extraction problem by covering the U shaped dust chute inside the cabinet with some sheet metal and making it a rectangular duct instead of an open 3 sided chute.

I coated the underside of the fence with a plastic coating where it touches the table, so the outfeed table does not get scratched when moving the fence position.

This jointer runs very quiet and smoothly, thanks to the spiral head and gives a beautiful finish, even on some cranky grained hardwoods and softwoods. This compares very favourably with the straight blade 6" jointer I had previously and which drove the neighbours mad with the noise. That jointer is now the most used tool in the local Men's Shed. I wonder if the straight blade 8" jointer would be just as loud.

The 8" jointer came in 2 main pieces, the base cabinet and the bed already assembled with the two tables. The cabinet is very well designed and constructed, and both front and rear panels are easily removed for excellent access when fitting the belt and adjusting the tension of the belt.

The bed fitted perfectly on to the cabinet, bolt holes aligned spot on.

I don't like the single foot lever attached to one end of the base cabinet for moving the jointer, as a three wheeled operation is a bit unstable and difficult for this heavy machine ( remember the centre of gravity is about a metre off the floor). I doubt the foot lever will last long, especially as you have to operate it from the side as you can't reach it end on with the long infeed table. So I made a solid rolling base with 4 heavy duty castor wheels, and can quickly whip the jointer into position when needed. (All my machinery is on wheels due to space constraints). The whole thing weighs about 300kg from memory, so an engine hoist and offsider is recommended when assembling.

The fence sliding mechanism is very good too, easy to install.

The jointer is the exact same as one of the very popular Grizzly models (G0490X), so I used their video and their excellent quality manual for my machine.

I don't like the power switch sticking up in the air on a skinny long bracket bolted to the side of the infeed table like an after thought or a sore thumb, so fitted a 20A no-volt switch with paddle on the cabinet at the LH end under the outfeed table, so that I can bump it off quickly with my thigh or knee when I finish a pass.

Anyway, can definitely recommend this jointer; especially with the spiral cutter, but you are not going to get that for $1600. You will also need to check the differing wiring requirements ( if any) for the straight blade and the spiral head blade. One might be 15A, not sure. The spiral cutter only requires a 10A circuit.

Hope this helps

If you are going on the 8" Carbatec journey, make sure they have them in stock. I had to wait 3 months for mine on back order See the Grizzly comment above, same factory!

Denque, excellent write up. I now have the same setup and except for the lighter weight of the Dewalt I am really happy with it. After getting the 8 jointer I am now seriously considering upgrading to a floor mount CI thicknesser. I have burnt out a belt on the Dewalt by passing through a long piece of jarrah.

John

Originally Posted by Dengue

The jointer is the exact same as one of the very popular Grizzly models (G0490X), so I used their video and their excellent quality manual for my machine.


Hope this helps

Except that the CT is 1.5 HP and the Grizzly is 3HP.