Thread: Carbatec CT330X vs Hafco T13S benchtop thicknesser with spiral or helical head

There is a review of these machines in the latest Aus Wood Review.
Les

As far as I can tell from the pics, the Hafco is not helical, despite what the blurb says. The inserts are square to the cut, not angled, so it's a spiral head, not helical.

Just thought I'd mention that.

So is the Carbatec.

I know, but Carbatec says spiral in their description, the Hafco says helical which would be a far superior choice if it was true.

I have just had a look at mine and I am not sure where carbatec get the "spiral" from. There are three rows of cutters, each row parallel to the axis of the cutter head and each cutter is also on the same plane. I suppose that if you look at the first cutter on the left hand end of the cutter block from the delivery end then on the next row of cutters the first cutter slightly overlaps the path of the other cutter and so on to the next row. To me it looks like a conventional three blade thicknesser but with gaps in each blade so that the next blade covers the gap in the first blade. Hope all this makes sense!!.

I definitely agree that if the Hafco has a genuine helical head it would be the one to go for especially for the price. Having said that I am very happy with mine as I got mine for $629 about 18 months ago.

Both the CT330X and Hafco T13s have exactly the same spiral head - not helical - it's is a Accu-Head Spiral cutter.

In terms of differences there is very little overall the CT330X is actually the older version - it's also heavier and a slight large form.

Both are/were sold in the US by Steel City as 40200H (CT330X) and 40300H (T13S).

I have the T13S and it's a great piece of kit and with decent carbide inserts () it'll handle anything you want to throw at it. If you Google sje-tools you will find a couple of videos of me running various hardwoods through it.

Thanks for the advice, guys. It seems a moot point that the same cutter is in each, so it comes down to the rest of the machine, which really seems to be top or side adjusting wheel and length of front and back slides.
The Aust woodworking review article above seems to indicate the CT330X was his favourite, as it could plane to about 6mm stock, whereas the T13S could not feed through anything less than 19mm thick. I find this a bit hard to believe, and the video with sjetools (above post) shows a bit of what looks like 12mm going through. But even a veneer can go through on a sled, so it probably doesn't matter much.

I guess then, is the accu head spiral cutter that much a better deal than the traditional two or three blade system?

Originally Posted by wpeter5401

Thanks for the advice, guys. It seems a moot point that the same cutter is in each, so it comes down to the rest of the machine, which really seems to be top or side adjusting wheel and length of front and back slides.
The Aust woodworking review article above seems to indicate the CT330X was his favourite, as it could plane to about 6mm stock, whereas the T13S could not feed through anything less than 19mm thick. I find this a bit hard to believe, and the video with sjetools (above post) shows a bit of what looks like 12mm going through. But even a veneer can go through on a sled, so it probably doesn't matter much.

I guess then, is the accu head spiral cutter that much a better deal than the traditional two or three blade system?

Indeed if you uses a sled you can do any thickness but the T13S I'll tell you for nothing will plane down to 6.25mm (precisely!) - yes I just measured a piece I'd previously send through at the lowest height with my digital calipers!

In terms of the two or three blades - yes - it's better. No only does it handle wavy grains better but because it uses the inserts rather than one long blade if damage an insert you just simply turn it, damage a long blade and it's replace or regrind the whole thing. Also the best thing in my opinion after previously owning a two blade system is the alignment - in that there is none to do, it is all done thanks to the inserts are seated in the head and are square and true.

This forum is great - good to get speedy advice from knowledgeable people.
I've only found the hafco online by Hare& Forbes which aren't in Adelaide. Is an Adelaide based distributor of the Hafco? (or any other wordworking distrubutors in addition to carbatec?)

To finalise my deliberations - I went and bought the CT330X from Carabatec, and on running a few pieces of timber through it, am very happy with it - a perfect finish on some old hardwood! The only faults I can pick are that the rear table doesn't fold all the way up with the dust extractor fitted, and the adjusting wheel is a bit sticky (which in itself is a good thing).

I also found this comparison http://lumberjocks.com/topics/60897 and its worth doing further searches for Steel City 40200H and 40300H which are the US versions of the CT330X and T13S.

Happy woodworking!

As a owner of the Carbatec CT 330X I purchased this machine last year and I'm glad that I did as it has performed as it should and does it well. A lot of the timber I use is recycled timber from large or long packing crates. I have found that the aluminium makers are a good source of timber which can be easily broken down with minimal damage.