Thread: Thicknesser and jointer advice please

Have a look under the heading "General and Small Machinery" you'll find stacks of info.

I'd be going for the machines with the spiral head cutters, they cost a bob or two but maybe worth it. I don't have them as they weren't around when I brought my machines.

Thanks Rod,
Didn't see that down there.

If I had to upgrade my jointer, i'd get this one. I have the same model but with without the spiral head. - Spiral Head 8" Long Bed Industrial Jointer : CARBA-TEC

As for a thicknesser, I have a delta 12" bench top, and it suits my heads. Iv'e put some hard jarrah through it without any problems.

Personally i'd go for seperate machines, it's less of a stuff around when dressing your timber.

Andy

Hi Bruce,

I agree with Bob above, have read lots of good reports on the spiral heads, but I don't have one either, one day. They are quieter too.

Lots of information here about combinations and single machines too. Depends on how much space you have and the size/type of timber you want to machine. For example, those who like to do table tops possibly would prefer the single machine jointer as the bed is generally significantly longer than a combination. The one Andy highlights is a good example.

Rather than rehash the thousands of threads onthe matter, spend some time searhing this site and then perhaps ask some more specific questions with a clear idea of what you want to put through your machines and what you want to build. The answer to machine selection is rarely simple and usually person specific.

Do get back to us.

Cheers
Pops

Thanks Guys,
I would like to make square trays with a combination of local timbers and small furniture like side tables and such from Gidgee amd Mulga.
Bruce

Separate machines is my preference more versatile. One point to consider (which I didn't) is to get a thickenesser that has a fixed bed (i.e. it moves the blades down onto the work piece). Mine lifts the work piece to the blades and makes it difficult for adjustment of in and out feed tables/supports.

Good point Ken about the thicknesser bed!

As others have indicated the best way to go is the spiral heads, yes you pay more initially but long term they are cheaper to run, do not load your motor as much as the long blades and are considerably quieter.
They are only available in single machines at the moment that I know of.
It would be good if they were available for combo machines for those working in a tighter space.

JET JPT-310HH - 300mm combo machine with helical cutterhead.

A couple of forumites have been buying them recently, as apprently JET are offering very attractive prices.....

Also, be aware that the "spiral" heads on the Carbatec machines are not true helical heads like the Shellix/JET/Powermatic. Carbatec have the individual cutters arranged on the head in a spiral, but the individual cutting edges are square-on to the direction of timber travel. The true helical cutterheads present the cutting edges to the timber at an angle for a shearing cut, much better for preventing tearout on highly figured boards.

I have the Hammer AD31. It's a fabulous machine. I've run 10' boards through it no
problem. Worth every penny.

Steer clear of chinese made knockoffs. They don't ever have the same quality bearings or manufacturing tolerancing needed to make these things work correctly.

Jim - thanks for adding the link

I think that must be an old list price they are showing though - another forumite recently bought the JPT-310HH (helical head) for $2950 inc. GST !

I think JET have dropped the price on the standard (non-helical) JPT-310 to $2600 or so....maybe things are getting a bit tight up at the JET end of town?

No worries about the link.

Just had a bit more look around and Gregory machinery have it on special for $3600.00

If your mate got it for $2600.00 then he got a real deal.

Originally Posted by Ken Darvell

Separate machines is my preference more versatile. One point to consider (which I didn't) is to get a thickenesser that has a fixed bed (i.e. it moves the blades down onto the work piece). Mine lifts the work piece to the blades and makes it difficult for adjustment of in and out feed tables/supports.

Never known a thicky that the infeed and outfeed don't raise together with the fixed bed as they are all bolted together. Or maybe I've interpreted it wrong I've been very happily running a CTJ-381 for about 6 years now, and fitting a Wixey height gauge has made it even more accurate. Which has handled 100 mm sq. 4 m lengths of merbau without a problem - which is a lot of weight.

Hi Waldo, you have misunderstood me.....to be a bit clearer.....my machine operates as you describe; the MACHINE in feed and out feed aprons do move together, not an issue. The issue is when running long timber through it is nice to extend the in and out tables. However with my machine I have to adjust the height of the EXTENDED tables because the MACHINE aprons move.
To me a machine that has fixed aprons and the cutting head move is a much better option.