Which Planer/ Thicknesser

**Dwano** · 27th January 2013, 08:26 PM

Hello all. I am in a quandry as to which combo machine I should actually look at. I have been using a little 10" Hafco under and over, however this machine is alright but lacks the accuracy and repeatability. I have been slowly getting some furniture that my wife has waited so patiently for finally made. I have been fortunate enough to source an SCM panel saw to replace my little bench saw, which I still have if anyone is interested, so that I would have easier cutting of larger pieces.

But my reason for this post is to ask advice from those who know more than me about which machine I should be looking at to replace my little under and over. I really don't have the space for running separate machines so another under and over is what I am looking for. I have been looking at the combination machines by Jet, Leda, H &F, Woodfast and a few second hand machines. I have a limited budget and would love to get something with a helical head to keep the noise levels down for the neighbours, but this may not eventuate straight away. Also another feature that I would like to have is the mortiser on the side of the machine, just to make life easier with cutting the mortises for our new fences. The Jet doesn't seem to have this attachment but has a spiral head available. The Leda has both the mortiser and a spiral head but the head is the Chinese made, not sure of the quality. The H& F has a mortiser but as yet no spiral head available. I would like to limit my purchase to around the $3k mark, but the quality of these machines and reliability are questions I have. Ideally a European made machine would be nice but the price tag tends to be on the higher side.

Please give me some helpful advice.

Cheers.

**GarethR** · 28th January 2013, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Dwano

would love to get something with a helical head to keep the noise levels down for the neighbours, but this may not eventuate straight away

Do you have a dust extractor? Reason I ask is that you may find that the most noise comes from your dusty. So getting a helical cutter to drop the noise might not be very helpful.

**Dwano** · 28th January 2013, 08:28 PM

Yes I have two dust extractors, well actually three. One attached to the panel saw. One for the planer/thicknesser. And one attached on the stroke sander. As yet I have not sorted out the best way to cut down to the one machine , but this is something I am still working on, and this will save some space.

**Ticky** · 31st January 2013, 11:46 PM

Hey Dwano,

I can't speak for the Leada Spiral head you inquired about, but let me just say this.

I bought my first Leda machine about 13 years ago. I dealt directly with the owner of the company, Bruce, because in those days, Leda was a 2 man show.

Since then, I have bought 6 more machines for my self & 2 for my brother, and 4 or 5 others for friends, all from Leda.

Way back then, Carbatec, H&F etc were supplied to Adelaide, but they did not have a store here, so Leda was a local company with local support.

As you can imagine, over the years, & with all of the machines I have bought (or been involved in the buying), I have gotten to know the company & the owner quite well, from a business perspective. Bruce makes regular trips to the factories that he buys from, & maintains a high standard of machinery that he puts the Leda badge on.

I personally would not go past Leda Machinery, based on my own experience with them, & that of my family and friends.

I have no affiliation with Leda, other than being a good customer of theirs and SADLY, I get no kickbacks for singing their praise (But I think I should be rewarded handsomely)

If it was my decision to make, and it had a Leda label on it, I would sleep soundly.

I hope this has been of some benefit to you.

Steve

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