Thread: should I return it? or is it normal

Now I took him to mean that the internal rollers where too high... this was an issue with my 15in thicknesser which is why I asked him to look for screws to adjust them with... the smaller one never gave me issues just this big buggar... but with a few turns of the screws no problems...

Perhaps he could try to be a bit clearer in his discription of whats happening?

Remember to keep those baseplates lubricated (wax or sim). I thought my feed rollers were playing up recently, and it was nothing more than not keeping the baseplate slippery!

Remember too - anyone doing this mod will void their warranty. My thicknesser is well out of warranty, so it doesn't matter to me (and it is still running well too fwiw!)

As to the specific thicknesser in question - if it is faulty - warranty return it. That's what the 2 year replacement warranty is for, and why GMC is capturing so much of the home hamdyman market.

Originally Posted by stuart_lees

Remember too - anyone doing this mod will void their warranty. My thicknesser is well out of warranty, so it doesn't matter to me (and it is still running well too fwiw!)

Hmmm ..... might just be worth a trip to the bunnies special oirder desk and order a new guard for my thicknesser since i butchered the original one to make it fit the dusty. It would be handy if ever i need to return itfor warranty replacement ...... hmmmm

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the answer and sorry about the delay in replying.
I have 2 problems:
- the rollers on the outfeed and infeed tables are higher
- the rollers in the machine are pushing down the timbers in the same way as if the infeed table was slightly higher.

I have not had a look at the screws to adjust the outside rollers but I know there are some since that was my first idea.
I also remember that when I tried it first 1 week ago, I used WD40 to lubricate the tables and I don't remember having this problem of the timber being pushed downwards
I remember a light snipe on a large board which was fed using the infeed roller and since it is higher that could explain the snipe
So it could also be a lubrication problem

I know that for $200 I can not expect much and I am not but if the snipe is over more than 5cm on each end, then I don't think it is correct.
I'll have a look at it tonight and see what I can do
I was thinking of either riveting the aluminium sheet on it or using a piece of melamine all the way.

Originally Posted by doug the slug

Hmmm ..... might just be worth a trip to the bunnies special oirder desk and order a new guard for my thicknesser since i butchered the original one to make it fit the dusty. It would be handy if ever i need to return itfor warranty replacement ...... hmmmm

Doug,
do not order the guard too quickly. I am sure of us (me included) will help you out if you need it for warranty replacement. I have installed the H&F dust chute and the dust guard is packed away.
Regards
Les

I too get 50mm snip in front and rear of timber when using the GMC. I also have the Carbatec 15" thicknesser, and if I am not careful it also produces a little snipe. As woodbutcher said - even expensive machine do produce snipe at some time or another depending on technique used. I would go with what some of the others have said about using an additional plate or a board which should reduce or even eliminate the snipe.
Les

I have a Ryobi thicknesser, which is exactly the same as the GMC. When I got it the first thing I did was to put a steel ruler (on edge) across the entire bed, from roller to roller, and I adjusted the in and outfeed tables until the centre plate of the machine and the rollers on both sides were level. This means that the tables on either side are at a very slight downward angle, but with a straight line between the in and outfeed rollers. While this has reduced snipe somewhat, I still get it and thats only due to the actual cutterhead moving. Next time I might spend the extra and get something with a lock on the head. But considering the price these little machines are not too bad, as long as you allow for extra length to trim off the snipe.

Originally Posted by lesmeyer

Doug,
do not order the guard too quickly. I am sure of us (me included) will help you out if you need it for warranty replacement. I have installed the H&F dust chute and the dust guard is packed away.
Regards
Les

Thanks Les, Hopefully i wont need it, and hopefully nobody else will either. but its spirit like yours that makes this forum a great place to be.

I actually might need to get another thicknesser as a backup while i can still get them for $199. I've got a lot of work lined up for it, 4 palletloads of hardwood next week, should make a few nice workbenches.

I tried the idea suggested here
http://www.woodisourart.com/planer/planer.htm


I found that a 1/4 turn of the adjusting bolts equalled about 2 mm difference. One problem is the the bolts had printing on top, so as they turned this affected the adjustment.

Also the silver bed under the cuuter bows up slightly, until timber pushes down on it.

1. I started agian and loosened the 3 screws on each side of the table (12 in total) and pushed them lower. I then used a striaght edge and adjusted the table bolts so that the rollers and the centre bed were level.

2. I then removed teh straight edge and lifted folded teh in/out tables to make sure that teh tables positioned nicley on eth bolts (because of the raised letters)

3. I then put the striaght edge in again and raised teh table inserts, and tightened teh screws. Now the the rollers the in/out tables and the centre bed were level.

4. I then raised the straight edge and placed a shim of about .5 mm under it on the centre bed and adjusted teh in/out table up to meet it, so taht they have a slight up curve.

5. I then tightened all the locking nuts, removed the straight edge, closed and opened the tables as I did in step 2

I still get a very small amount of snipe for the first 5 cm. If this is a problem I will just start with a longer piece and cut of the first bit