HAFCO WOODMASTER T-13S Bench Mount Thicknesser -

**Gandalph** · 4th February 2015, 03:14 PM

Hi,
I'm looking at getting a bench mounted thicknesser for hobby and/or "keep me sane" work. Budget has been limited by the Minister for War & Finance to under $1000 - her preference is for very much under..... H&F are offering this one with " Helical cutter heads" for just under $700 incl GST.

Their blurb says: "A difference from the traditional design of thicknessers are the new helical cutter heads that's now standard in this model. ...The T-13S is equipped with a helical cutter head that accepts 26 HSS inserts which are easily to replace, just simply use the tool that's provided to unscrew individual insert to be replaced as there is no fiddly height setting to be carried out. "

Does anyone have any experience of this machine and or an opinion on whether it would be worth buying for the type of light work I have in mind? Bear in mind also that I am fully equipped with two hands full of passion fingers.

**Larks** · 4th February 2015, 03:49 PM

For light work and hobby work I don't think you really need to go to that expense or extent.

As an example, I generally tend towards the higher end brands of tools, but I bought a bench top 2000W GMC thicknesser from Bunnings for about $180.00 (just because it seemed so damn cheap when they were getting rid of GMC stuff ) and have caned the living daylights out of it with everything from smallish lengths of oregon and huon pine through to largish (i.e. 2 metre x 200mm) and heavy hardwoods - Qld blue gum and jarrah - and I am really quite surprised at how useful it has been, how well it did everything I've thrown at it and that it's still going well.

The trick with the large and heavy stuff is to obviously take it slow and in small bight passes and have a good level feed in and feed out stands.

So perhaps buy a cheaper one and put the budget aside for some other toy.....

**Gandalph** · 5th February 2015, 09:51 AM

Thanks Larks, Sound & sensible advice. Have you been talking to my wife?????

The main reason I was attracted to the Hafco was the inclusion of the "Spiral" cutter with the TC inserts. Many reports suggest that the finish provided by this type of cutter set-up is superior to the conventional HSS blades and the ability to easily maintain the quality of the cut made it attractive. But you are probably right, for the amount and type of work I'm likely to do I should probably settle for a cheaper unit and go gently. Dammit!

**Rangafarian** · 14th February 2015, 01:04 PM

Did you end up getting this thicknesser ?

**mark david** · 14th February 2015, 02:20 PM

Have had a look at the photos on this machine, the cutter block picture is of a machine that has seen some use, both the H&F and Carba-tec look like the same machine and neither appear to be a proper helical head they just have segmented carbide inserts which is not really the same thing.Definitely an improvement on straight knives though.

**Gandalph** · 14th February 2015, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by Rangafarian

Did you end up getting this thicknesser ?

Still procrastinating. I very foolishly looked at the Felder site and and trying to work out some self justification for selling my planer/jointer and purchasing a combo machine. Lust is such a dangerous thing!

**mark david** · 14th February 2015, 03:26 PM

I sold both of my bench top machines and bought the Carba-tec 10x8 spral head machine about 2 years ago.I think its a great macine for the price.
Paid around $1700 for mine but price has gone up a fair bit.
Those Felder and Hammer machines look nice but with a hefty price no doubt.

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