Thread: What is the best benchtop thickneesser for between $400-$500 ?

I quite like the 2 speed feed function of the dewalt.

I think that anything in that price range has to be regarded as a hobby machine and not something you can expect to cut large slabs of Aus hardwoods on for long. That said if you are realistic about what you expect of the machine you can nurse it along. Light cuts and sharp blades go a long way in this regard. I got an ozito (I confess at last) on special about 5 years back for $200. I knew at the time this was the bottom of the heap but at that price I was willing to take a punt and hoped it would do medium sized work. Pretty soon the plastic winding handle snapped so I found a hex nut with the same thread and used a ring spanner as a handle. It did the projects I had in mind for it back then and then gone on to surprise me. It will plane 6'' wide bluegum but wider needs a helping push as the rubber feed rollers tend to slip. It even did 12'' wide pine workbench top with a helping push. See pic.
I do intend something more heavy duty next time round and have been waiting for it to expire for years now. I have had more than my monies worth out of it. Anyhow the point I am making is be gentle with your machines. Hogging off the full depth of cut on large planks will pretty soon wreck even the better machines.
Regards
John

I bought a Carba-tec one some time ago
It worked ok but wouldn't really recommendit for anything but occasional use
It was as noisy as hell , had no anti kick-back fingers (a serious omission imho) and had rubber infeed and outfeed rollers which I hate as they dont last very well.

I upgraded to Carba-Tec 10x8 with spiral head and love it.

Originally Posted by Apples

I see the masters 909 thicknesser for $300, bunnings ozito for $400, bunnings ryobi AP13AK $450 ( this model is a ap13ak, i read of only a ryobi ap13 on here. Maybe this is a newer model?)

Then hafco have a t-318 for $400 and also a t-330 for $500.

Carbatec have a jet for $450.






There are a few to choose from in this price bracket. But which one and why?
It would also be a good idea to factor in the cost of new blades. If one particular machine you can get really cheap blades for, such as off ebay, then that particular machine might be a better choice???

I have ended up buying a 2nd hand Jet 15" JWP-15HO. Now that I own a floor model, I'd advise anyone to, if it's financially possible, to seriously consider a floor model. Realistically, once you have a bench top version, and make a dedicated stand for it when u get sick of lifting it up and down, it takes up the same amount of floor space anyway!

I put through a pile of old jarrah the other day. The finish is superb and it didn't vibrate a bit while in use. I had my steel ruler on top of it, it didn't move a bit.

Just my thoughts

Originally Posted by Apples

spokeshave,
Also, a new set of blades are $45, but they did not have any in stock so it would have to be an order in item.

The blades in the 909 are double sided, so when they do finally wear down just take them out and turn them over. I've had a GMC thicknesser (same thing) for over a year and I've only just recently turned the blades over. I'm really happy with it, except of course the noise

S.