Thread: Choosing a Thicknesser

I recently purchased the Combination Planer Thickneser PT260 from Carba-Tec. I too wanted a combination machine to save on space so it seemed a good idea.
Pros:
The planer is 10 inch and you would pay more for a cast iron 8 inch.
The full bed of the Thicknesser is machined alloy rather than pressed steel.
The thicknesser has four posts.
It has a 3 HP single phase motor
As mentioned it does reduce floor space due to it being a combination machine.
There are a number of micro switches to stop you starting the machine if you haven't set it up properly.
Cons:
Cast alloy rather than cast iron.
Disposable Blades - expensive at $67 a pair however they are double sided.
This is a light duty machine that shouldn't be considered for serious production runs.
Summary
I am reasonably happy with the machine for the occasional use it gets. I would prefer a cast iron unit but that would cost another $2,000. It is handy to have in the workshop.

Greeting folks, I'm unable to add any expertise to any of the above but pass this on for what it's worth/comment as I am in the early stages of buying a thicknesser having just picked up a JET table saw. Anyway, when picking up the saw, I was shown a new model JET 12-1/2" thicknesser with larger in-feed/out-feed extension table area and two adjustable anti snipe gizmos and to be sold at a price a bit below the $963 quoted for the current model. Someone out there who knows what they are talking about (certainly not me) may have seen and or purchased this unit but the staff at David Trembath Agencies in SA were impressed and they aren't prone to going overboard in their quest to flog you something.
Regards
Brian

[This message has been edited by BrianT (edited 15 September 2002).]

[This message has been edited by BrianT (edited 15 September 2002).]

Thanks for the info John, I think the smaller one is again derived from the PT260.

Rocket,I am glad finally someone says something about that model I have a few questions about it if you have time to answer.

Is it the type of machine you spend more time adjusting than using it ?
Does the thicknesser snipe much?
I expect it to be pretty noisy, is it like a circular saw or much worse ?
You have to completely remove one of the tables to use the thicknesser is it a quick operation or more like 5 10 min job ?
You wouldnt use it for production runs, do you feel that feeding like 30 lm a week through it is too much for that machine ?

Thanks

Jack

Darryl,
I did end up calling DeWalt and as you mentioned, they didn't have any "factory seconds" available. However, the quoted me only $907 for a new in the box one. A couple of calls around to the dealers showed that this was nearly $250 less than anybody else was selling them for. Unfortunately Bunnings don't carry them in Sydney ( I rang three separate stores) so wasn't able to get their 10%. I picked up one from DeWalt today. I can only echo your comments. It is a fine machine and I think at that price an absolute bargain. So I'll definitely be calling DeWalt next time I'm shopping for a tool!

Cheers
Craig

Craig
Why is it as soon as you buy anything you find someone else just bought it cheaper?? I wish I'd called DeWalt first. Ahh well, life's like that sometimes.

I ran another 15m or so of pine through the machine on the weekend - still very happy. I ran 2.5m lengths this time, and got absolutely no snipe I could see or measure. I got the dust extractor cowling on Friday (about $65 from DeWalt including delivery and I got it the morning after I ordered it), so I was using that. It picked up 99% of the chips - still had a little to clean up afterwards, but didn't take more than half a minute.

I guess the reason why DeWalt didn't have any factory seconds is either they've not sold enough to get many back, or just that very few of them come back - I think more the latter. They told me when I rang they get a lot of cordless drills - which is a good enough reason for me to stay away from their drills

I know Bunnings at Artarmon stock the thicknessers, and I gather that it's a relatively new product to Bunnings - at least the stores that used to be BBC. My local had only just got them in, and I was the first to buy one there.

Definitely a good machine.


[This message has been edited by DarrylF (edited 16 September 2002).]

Hi Jack,
Sorrry for the delay in responding

Is it the type of machine you spend more time adjusting than using it ?
Compared to dedicated machines there is an overhead to the combined planer/thicknesser. To thickness you have to remove the infeed table and dust shoot. The dust shoots are plastic and hard to position correctly - if you get it wrong it doesn't activate the micro switch and the unit will not operate. It is a pain.

Does the thicknesser snipe much?
Very little snipe which I think comes from a reasonable length bed on the thicknesser. The thicknesser does have a tendancy to clog so make sure you have a good dust extraction system or just let the chips fly around in the workshop.

I expect it to be pretty noisy, is it like a circular saw or much worse ?
I was surprised at the noise level. It is noisy especially with a wide board but so is any thicknesser. It is not as noisy as the Dewalt/CarbaTec/etc thicknessers. Obviously hearing protection should be worn but not too bad and the neighbours haven't complained - yet.

You have to completely remove one of the tables to use the thicknesser is it a quick operation or more like 5 10 min job ?
More like the 5-10 minutes. The infeed table comes off easily but positioning the dust shoots and winding the table up adds to the overhead. The machine has to be set up properly otherwise the micro switches don't work. Good safety feature but if you get it wrong it takes a while to find.

You wouldnt use it for production runs, do you feel that feeding like 30 lm a week through it is too much for that machine ?
Yes I do and added to this having fairly soft cast alloy tables it will not be long before there is some ware marks on the tables. I buy dressed timber and only need to resize the occassional bit so I can get by. If money wasn't a driving force then I would buy a cast iron Kity or equivalent. The additional $1500 over the cost of the PT260 was not justified for me.

hope this helps

rocket

Jack
If your interested in a combination buzzer/thicknesser I would suggest you have a look at the metabo. I have had one for a few years (actually an emco, now bought out by metabo) and its a good machine in this catagory imho. Dust shoot works well in both modes, change over is simple and takes less than 30 secs.
Now sold as ASH 1630
cheers
Rod

Thanks for the info guys, great to have feedback from the 2 machines I had selected. I'll try to see the metabo irl and as far as so far I have had 100% satisfaction with metabo tools it already has a head start.

Thanks

Jacques

Craig,
You were the lucky one! I called Dewalt about the same time you did and was quoted $960 for the unit. Called there today to check if they had one in stock before driving down to purchase my long awaited toy. The girl quoted a price closer to $1500! When questioned about the former price I was informed that previously they had an incorrect price in the computer and after selling a couple head office informed her of the mistake. Nothing quite like being in the right place at the right time eh?

Are you enjoying the use of your Dewalt?

Cheers,
Peter

I was in carbatec Brisbane) the other day and noticed a new thicknesser model under the carbatec brand.
Looked verrry suspiciously like the delta 12 1/2 inch machine

could be worth a look for those interested.

can't quote the price but it was a lot less than the delta sitting next to it.

check it out chaps & lets hear what you think.

Pete,

Do as I did and pick up a catalogue from Gasweld - they may still have their special on. I took that to Bunnies and did the 10% thing and wound up with a Dewalt for a little over $1,000. Great machine, still very happy with it.

Pete,

Yep still very happy with the DeWalt, although I haven't had much time to do any serious woodwork lately - got some projects planned though. Believe me it's unusual for me to get the bargain - the opposite is usually the case. Thing is though, now that I have the thicknesser, I think I really need a jointer as well - I guess that's the thing with this hobby - there's always another tool/toy to buy .

Have you thought about the Delta thicknesser? I beleive it's rated just as highly as the DeWalt but is a fair bit cheaper than $1500.

Craig

I'll probably buy it from Gasweld. They have quoted $1025. I HATE bunnies predatory pricing, I'd rather give my business to the guy that is willing to offer a good deal.

Cheers,
Peter

Go for it Pete - especially if you've got a decent Gasweld store locally. See if they still have offer on of a spare set of blades free - will work out about the same as buying the Dewalt from Bunnies and buying the blades later.

I bought the Ryobi from Bunnies first, and I didn't leave myself enough time that day to go get my refund & get back to Gasweld - plus I've never really had good service from my local Gasweld.