Thread: Aldi Ferrex planer/thicknesser any good?

1500w Combination Planer Thicknesser

I have one. I think it is the schepach (sp) ; works well enough for me.
(mainly as thicknesser)

But probably a second hand "brand" name for the same money could be better. (also, the 200mm width is slightly limiting).
But then, if it was bigger I couldn't fit it in any way.
It's noisy and makes a lot of mess...

I litteraly just bought one today.
still in the box.
not sure when I will get to try it.

Originally Posted by havabeer69

1500w Combination Planer Thicknesser

different machine havabeer69. the current one is one of the box shaped thicknessers that you feed your timber through the window.

Well I just got one, they were marked down to 279 at the store. Will post my findings after using it. Three year warranty too.
cheers

Originally Posted by yhprum

Well I just got one, they were marked down to 279 at the store. Will post my findings after using it. Three year warranty too.
cheers

I have had experience with Aldi power tools in the past. You may have a 3 year warranty, but after a year or so it would be reasonably unlikely that whoever is supplying Aldi will have the staff, parts or replacement machines in stock to remedy a fault in a warranty claim. The best they seem to be able to offer is a Return Authority code that allows you to take the machine back to Aldi for a full refund.

I strongly suggest that you make a copy of the sales receipt with a proper copier that will be readable after 3 years, file the original and the copy in the front of the instruction book/user manual, and keep all of this paperwork where you can find it for the duration of the warranty. Register dockets are thermal printed on a special paper and have a bad habit of fading over time, or if exposed to light or heat for long periods, i.e. don't rely on sticking the docket on a wall to preserve it in case of a warranty claim.

Just my 1c worth, not criticizing Aldi or their suppliers, just pointing out how they choose to work.

I saw them in Aldi and thought the price was pretty good as my club was looking for one. Just happened to go to Bunnings after that and saw they had their Ozito brand with a 2000W motor and the same price of $349. We ended up buying the Ozito because I'm sure a replacement or refund will be much easier should it be required. If they had have been $279 when I saw them the result may have been different.

Thanks Malb, I will do that with the receipt for sure.
I know there may be some risk. I would have been sorely tempted by the ozito one had I known, but here we are lol.
cheers Steve

Refund is easy enough at Aldi, replacement not.

Originally Posted by Sam

Refund is easy enough at Aldi, replacement not.

Not my experience. It was almost impossible to make a warranty claim (for a shop vac) via the addresses on the warranty - calls and emails not returned. In the end I had to make a scene at the shop where I bought it when there were lots of people there. Then it was easy.

As with all machines of this type, you may find IT'S A BIT NOISY

Well I had a chance to use the new machine this week.

Some observations from a first time thickener user:

it is loud, but not as loud as I expected. I purposely waited until nobody was home just in case. With hearing protection it is quite acceptable to me.

It seems to have adequate power for heavier cuts. I ran it for quite awhile with no overheating.

Chip extraction from the exhaust port is poor. It plugged up solid after the first or second board I ran through it. I used a thin strip of wood to clear out the chips when they got too much. I will have to look at making a new cover with a larger port or something.

Most boards had minimum snipe, but several had heavy snipe the last four inches. I suspect it was caused by the chip buildup in the planer feed area.

All in all I am happy with my purchase so far. I was told chip extraction for these type of planers is generally not good, so was half expecting the results. Blade life is unknown at this stage but I will be doing mostly soft pallet wood.

Originally Posted by malb

I have had experience with Aldi power tools in the past. You may have a 3 year warranty, but after a year or so it would be reasonably unlikely that whoever is supplying Aldi will have the staff, parts or replacement machines in stock to remedy a fault in a warranty claim. The best they seem to be able to offer is a Return Authority code that allows you to take the machine back to Aldi for a full refund.

I strongly suggest that you make a copy of the sales receipt with a proper copier that will be readable after 3 years, file the original and the copy in the front of the instruction book/user manual, and keep all of this paperwork where you can find it for the duration of the warranty. Register dockets are thermal printed on a special paper and have a bad habit of fading over time, or if exposed to light or heat for long periods, i.e. don't rely on sticking the docket on a wall to preserve it in case of a warranty claim.

Just my 1c worth, not criticizing Aldi or their suppliers, just pointing out how they choose to work.

Just take a pic of the receipt. Any store that tries to say you need the paper receipt tell them to go pound sand because the AAAC has made a digital copy just as legal as a physical one.

Originally Posted by yhprum

These are on sale this Saturday for 349 $AUD.
Are they any good for a low end thicknesser?
The primary intended use is pallet wood projects.
thanks
steve

They're like any cheap tool. You'll never find a unicorn that last forever or does an excellent job. Just like ozito or whatever all the other chinese import stores are hawking. It'll be dead or bent and beat up, rusted and just limps along in about a year. As long as you keep that in your mind, you'll be fine.

Now don't get me wrong I'm rethinking what I use for my job. I have all Makita, about $4k worth, and am thinking of changing over to ozito or some other garbage brand... Every day I have to unload into a unit and pack up, at about 45mins. I also have to drag everything to each room I work in for another 40mins. I bill at about $1/min so I lose about $85/day making sure I don't get anything stolen. And $160 batteries seem to be a real pain in the ass for getting stolen.

I could fit out with ozito for about $1500.

The beauty of such garbage tools is no one would even want to borrow them let along steal them. So essentially, I could literally drop them where I stand at the end of the day, and they would be exactly in the same position the next work day.

So conservatively speaking I could save at least $45/day in not dragging my tools around and unpacking/packing up. They would pay for themselves in a few months, which is still much shorter than the expected 6 months I think I could abuse them for. And when they &*() themselves... Just throw it in the bin and buy another.

My only hesitation is the embarrassment of pulling them out of the truck and everyone seeing them...