Thread: Caraba-tec 10x6 Planer thicknesser spiral head.

So do you have one?

Wouldn't it be a lot easier to but the replacement cutters from Carbatec?

In addition there is 4 blades on each cutter so how often do you think you'll be replacing them?

Originally Posted by rod1949

So do you have one?

Wouldn't it be a lot easier to but the replacement cutters from Carbatec?

In addition there is 4 blades on each cutter so how often do you think you'll be replacing them?

Hi I do have one.
I don't think carba-tec even sell the replacemnet cutters and wouldn't fancy paying what theyare likely to charge.

I am a professional furniture maker and so it gets a fair bit of use.

.

My saw doctor in Brisbane can source the tips for a variety of machines. I would suggest that saw doctors in perth should be able to do the same. All comes down to the specification of the tip.

About $8.00 a tip is the current price for my head, but it is not a C T machine.

Cheers

Originally Posted by mark david

Hi I do have one.
I don't think carba-tec even sell the replacemnet cutters and wouldn't fancy paying what theyare likely to charge.

I am a professional furniture maker and so it gets a fair bit of use..

I have the Carbatec 13" portable spiral head thicknesser which uses similar but slightly different blades.

Carbatec confirmed that they are able to supply replacement cutter head blade units, individually at that, for my thicknesser at about $6 a piece.
I would be surprised if they were unable to do the same, at a similar price, for your thicknesser.

Cheers,
Pete

Originally Posted by Nevyn72

Carbatec confirmed that they are able to supply replacement cutter head blade units, individually at that, for my thicknesser at about $6 a piece.
I would be surprised if they were unable to do the same, at a similar price, for your thicknesser.
Cheers,
Pete

I thought that one of the big selling points was the ability to replace the single cutter if it got damaged. Whilst I understand there are other benefits to the spiral cutter head (better finish, quieter, less stress on motor etc) I would have thought that at $6 a cutter it isn't particularly economical, and could be stretching the truth to be using this as a selling point.

Yes I get that the cutter can be rotated to a fresh edge 4 times, however after recently having a 12" jointer knife sharpened for around $6 - and with replacements sitting around $30 each, I would have thought that the $6.90 they are charging for each replacement cutter ($69 for a pack of 10) this could result in being an expensive exercise when it comes time to replace them compared to the traditional setup.

Sorry to get off topic but I was blow away when I read the replacement cutters were so expensive.

It's not just the ease of replacing or turning bits that the spirals heads excell at, they run a hell of a lot quieter than conventional heads and also handle troublesome timbers that would normally tear out with no tear out or very little.

And as long as you don't chip the cutters by hitting a screw etc, the inset cutters will hold an edge much much longer than regular knives. And will outlast hands down 18% tungsten knives. Spiral cutter heads are not cheaper to maintain as opposed to a straight knife head. The real advantages are, quality of finish, less noise, less sanding, ease of changing knives and time saved as a result of the previous points.

Cheers