Thread: Planer Jointer...?

Fellow newbie here.

If the question is would you be better off buying a planer (AKA jointer) and thicknesser or a planer/thicknesser combination, I'd say get the dedicated machines if you can afford it. But the ML392 combo is not a bad option for hobby use.

I have an ML392 combination machine, which works pretty well despite a couple of little annoyances (that I knew about before I bought). Still, it was a compromise, as it was a lot cheaper than buying two dedicated machines that have the same capacity. At some stage I'd like to buy a dedicated jointer and use the ML392 primarily as a thicknesser. But that would be in, say, five years time.

That AW106PT is the ML392 with a couple of little bits changed (apparently). Timbecon still stock the ML392. There is a loooong thread about troubles with the ML392 on here that you should probably read. In general it is a good machine but needs a bit of maintenance every now and again. Some people have had bad runs, I've been pretty lucky. As had the previous owner - I bought secondhand.

Re-reading your post: A combo or a dedicated jointer is much better than jointing with just a thicknesser using tricks. You'll save a lot of time by using the jointer.

It is very cool running old, weathered pieces of timber through the planer/thicknesser and discovering what lurks underneath.

Thank's jisk, I was wondering about the differences between the two, I might go for the AW106PT, since it is nearer to where I live. So far, I've been using, or trying to use, my Triton Router & table to Joint Edges and a #7 Plane to even out surfaces, on old hard wood it's very difficult, especially for a novice.

Hey Matchwood welcome to the forum.

Separate machines are more convenient and most people go for a combo due to a lack of space as well as cost. If you have the space and can stretch the budget I'd go for one of each.

I have the Carbatec 6" jointer (planer) and a Ryobi thicknesser and it's true that when you see a dirty grey board go in and something beautiful come out the other side it becomes addictive. Might want to invest in a small metal detector for reclaimed timber to avoid wrecking your baldes on nails.

HH.

Originally Posted by HappyHammer

Hey Matchwood welcome to the forum.

Separate machines are more convenient and most people go for a combo due to a lack of space as well as cost. If you have the space and can stretch the budget I'd go for one of each.

I agree. I have the combo and absolutely no space in my shed so I store it on our back veranda under a discrete grey BBQ cover (much to the annoyance of SWMBO). I would much more prefer to have two distinct machines.

Cheers

Originally Posted by BobL

I agree. I have the combo and absolutely no space in my shed so I store it on our back veranda under a discrete grey BBQ cover (much to the annoyance of SWMBO). I would much more prefer to have two distinct machines.

How do you find the cast iron table stands up to the elements?

Just need some Lanox and she'll be right, right Bob?

HH.