Thread: Triton Thicknesser vs Bremen Thicknesser

I don’t have any experience with either but I would worry about only having 1100W to work with in regards to the Triton.

Hi Lappa, thanks for your answer. Do you think it could be so different between 1100 and 1500 watt?
I read different reviews of the triton and everyone seemed to be happy with it

More power (providing the build quality is good) is always better.

Whilst I have no direct experience with either unit, and given that power has already been mentioned, I will say the one other thing that struck me as being a bit "odd" about the Triton unit... that is that it appears you can only set depth of cut in 1.6mm increments. Not only is this taking a fair chunk of thickness away in one go on a wide board, what happens if you have a 19mm board and want to take it to 18mm? Or even a 20mm board to 18mm?

The above is not to say "Go for the Bremen". Given that you wish to make this a smaller commitment financially, I would strongly encourage you to consider a good second hand machine. A classic example of this might be the DeWalt unit, they make a couple, and whilst I looked at them some time ago, one of them (at least) was well regarded. They have a deal on at Sydney Tools now too: https://sydneytools.com.au/dewalt-dw...er-thicknesser - and I do understand this is way more than you were budgeting, but see what you might find on Gumtree/EBay for one of those units second hand... I suspect you'll have more fun with a used one of those than either of the ones you picked new... disclaimer - I'm relatively new to this game, so lean on the advice of other, wiser folk - I just wanted to put the idea out there

I know that this https://sydneytools.com.au/dewalt-dw...er-thicknesser is around 2x your budget, but it comes out tops in every review I read on benchtop (AKA lunch box) thicknessers. The finish produced by the 3 knife cutter block is rated equivalent to that from any of the lower end helical head thicknessers which typically cost considerably more.

You might be able to find one on Gumtree or Ebay for around the same price as the two units you are looking at.


Edited to add:
Many reviewers suggest that the if, in the future, you decided to replace a DW735, it would be with a floor standing machine costing more than $3000.

If you go the 2nd hand route be orepared to wait thougb. I check gumtree for a couple of different machines fairly regularly and havent had any luck so far (admittedly I've only been looking for a planer/thicknesser for a few days, but have been looking for other stuff for a while).

Typically the only machines ill find on their are your budget brands (ozito, ryobi, gmc etc). Most arent cheap for what they are either, i.e. youd get one new in those brands for an extra $50. You do get the occassional high end models but ive yet to come across the happy medium. Not saying they wont be on there, just saying it might take some time to get it.

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Originally Posted by Midnight Man

that is that it appears you can only set depth of cut in 1.6mm increments. Not only is this taking a fair chunk of thickness away in one go on a wide board, what happens if you have a 19mm board and want to take it to 18mm? Or even a 20mm board to 18mm?

The 1/16" reference only applies to the graduations on the depth of cut scale; in reality the machine can be infinately adjusted to take any depth of cut up to about an 1/8". The cutter head rides up and down four posts and is controlled by a pair of threaded rods connected to the handle via a belt or chain drive, one full turn of the handle probably gives about an 1/8" depth of cut so to take off one millimeter you rotate the handle about one third of a turn.

Both machines are lightweight and I suppose could be considered to be "introductory level". Whichever you pick will eventually frustrate you with slipping feed rollers and snipe issues. Saying that; I survived for years with a GMC version.

Not covered here yet is the chip extraction; those machines make a LOT of shavings. The Triton appears to have a 50 or 6mm port at the back but I can't see anything at all on the Bremmer. You need to either fit a powered high flow chip collector or remove the collector port altogether and use it outside, downwind of you. Where the noise may be a problem with your neighbours...

Hi guys and thanks to you all for your answers.

@Midnight Man - I already thought about an used one but I have been looking on Gumtree for weeks now and I haven't find anything under $400.
@Ian - I analysed the DeWalt at the beginning of my search and although I am thrilled by it, unfortunately I can't/don't want to afford it. For me, it's like learning to drive with a Ferrari instead of a small car. I maybe wrong, but the economical aspect is quite important now. If I could find an used one, I would definitively go for it but as said before, I couldn't find anything.
@ Chief Tiff - the chip extraction is quite important considering I am working in my garage (and last time I used my mitre saw I re-created the Sahara environment ) - Definitively a +1 for the Triton.

That being said, I saw that Bunnings has a Ryobi Thicknesser for just additional $100 (https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-15...esser_p6210479) what do you think? Is it worth the extra cost?

I have the earlier version of one of these and have had no problems with it. It is not the bees knees but does the job when required. I treat it with respect and don't try to take off too much at a time and never have any trouble with the drive rollers slipping on the wood. The blades are adjustable and can be sharpened. Some of the Dewalt machines have the blades fixed in place so not adjustable to compensate for wear but providing they stick out enough for clearance on the cutter head shouldn't be a problem. My machine came with a chip deflector chute and a chip extractor hood that can be connected to the dust extractor or strong vacuum. If you don't connect it to some sort of extraction it will just clog up so if you don't have that then the deflector is better fitted. You do get some snipe at the start and end of a piece, but unless you get a machine with a locking head this will always be a problem. There are numerous ways of trying to eradicate snipe on this type of machine when you look on the net but most of the time I just allow for the bit that has to be cut off each end.
From what I have seen on these lower end thicknessers they are built pretty much the same and all very loud.

Originally Posted by Jekkil

I saw that Bunnings has a Ryobi Thicknesser for just additional $100 (https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-15...esser_p6210479) what do you think? Is it worth the extra cost?

It has been my personal experience with Ryobi tools that they are no better than the cheaper generic brands. I would rather buy Ozito than Ryobi any day; the performance (or lack of) is the same but at around 25% cheaper Ozito tools represent better value for money. Ryobi present themselves as bridging the gap between cheap rubbish and trade quality tools; unfortunately to me all they have actually delivered over the cheaper stuff is their name.

If you're working in your garage I highly recommend your very first purchases are decent hearing protection (Peltor or Billson) and a quality breathing mask with replaceable filters.

Originally Posted by Chief Tiff

If you're working in your garage I highly recommend your very first purchases are decent hearing protection (Peltor or Billson) and a quality breathing mask with replaceable filters.

Already bought a good hearing protection...still looking for a good mask. Any suggestion?

Going back to the original topic. In the next days I will go to see with my eyes the Triton to see if it convinces me

Originally Posted by Jekkil

In the next days I will go to see with my eyes the Triton to see if it convinces me

Small tip if I may? Head in to Sydney Tools, and go pick up the DeWalt unit they'll have on display there. Then go pick up the Triton, and compare. Weight is by far and away not a great judgement, but on these sorts of equipment, weight = stability and it goes some way to the quality of the finished product.

At least, IMHO!

Originally Posted by Jekkil

Already bought a good hearing protection...still looking for a good mask. Any suggestion?

In order of recommendation:

Scott I have a very similar model; very comfortable.
Unisafe RP463
Protector

OK guys, I am officially confused now.
I went to the shop to see the triton and the guy working there said that a thicknesser is not the best tool to do what I have to do and that a belt sander should do the job pretty well.
He suggested to do three passes, one cross grain, one diagonal to the grain and one along the grain.
He said that with a thicknesser I could end up with a piece of wood not thick enough.

What do you think?
Should I give a belt sander a try?