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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Lakehaven, NSW, Australia
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    57
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    995

    Question Choosing a Thicknesser

    I've been looking for a thicknesser - fairly serious weekend home/hobby use. I need some advice.

    I think I've ruled out going for a 15" or a combo, so that basically leaves me with one of the various 12.5" bench units. So now to choose.

    Budget is not a big deal, but I always love a bargain

    I've looked at the DeWalt, the Delta & their own brand from Carbatec, the Jet. I just called in to Bunnings (I know, I know ), and they have the Ryobi on special at $488, which seems like a real bargain.

    The unit has 4 posts and all the basic features. No dust extraction included, but I guess I could order that - or probably make a hood fairly easily. Ryobi is Ryobi, but at at least $300 cheaper than the no-name Taiwanese units, with a 1 year warranty & 30 day money back performance guarantee it seems like more of a bargain the more I think about it.

    I like to buy quality tools, but is the extra $400 for a Delta or Jet, or $600 for a DeWalt worth it?

    Should I hang back & buy a bigger name brand, or give the Ryobi a shot? Anyone out there own one? Any thoughts?
    The Australian Woodworkers Database - over 3,500 Aussie Woods listed: http://www.aussiewoods.info/
    My Site: http://www.aussiewoods.info/darryl/

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2002
    Location
    burleigh heads
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    15

    Thumbs up

    I love my delta portable. six months of trouble free hard work.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Yinnar, Victoria, Australia
    Age
    66
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    1,277

    Post

    Darryl.. $600.00 for a Dewalt!! LAst time I priced that model/brand, it was $950.00

    TAKE IT!

    OOOOPPS, just re-read your post, forget the Dewalt, RYOBI MAYBE a good choice, but dont discount the other imported brands.

    [This message has been edited by Brudda (edited 31 August 2002).]
    I try and do new things twice.. the first time to see if I can do it.. the second time to see if I like it
    Kev

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Lakehaven, NSW, Australia
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    57
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    995
    Where did you find a DeWalt for $950? Bunnings & Gasweld are around $1,100.

    The DeWalt does seem like a very nice machine - the finish is brilliant and it seems to have all the features.

    I do like the Delta as well - not quite the features of the DeWalt, but seems very solid and the reviews are of course very good.

    Question is, are either of them twice as good as the Ryobi? 'cause they're twice the price
    The Australian Woodworkers Database - over 3,500 Aussie Woods listed: http://www.aussiewoods.info/
    My Site: http://www.aussiewoods.info/darryl/

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2000
    Location
    Drop Bear Capital of Gippsland (Lang Lang) Vic Australia
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    Post

    Isn't the Ryobi only 10" and are you sure it has 4 posts, I believe that someone said they only have two.
    I checked out a lot before getting my 12 1/2" and it is a Taiwan made unit, just like the rest, even Delta is Taiwan as is DeWalt.
    I thought they seemed a lot more robust and had bigger infeed and out feed tables.
    Dust extraction is also a must as these thing generate more shavings than you thought possible.

    ------------------
    : http://community.webshots.com/user/iain49

    [This message has been edited by Iain (edited 01 September 2002).]
    Stupidity kills. Absolute stupidity kills absolutely.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Lakehaven, NSW, Australia
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    Post

    The old model Ryobi is only a 10" with two posts. The one Bunnies have at the moment is 12.5" and 4 post - very new model apparently. No cutter lock that I could see, but there seem to be various opinions on whether that makes any difference to snipe.

    I'm pretty sure all of them in this size are Taiwanese. Comes down to features I guess - plus warranty. I like the idea of being able to take it back in 30 days if I don't like the machine. Did that with a GMC biscuit joiner I couldn't get aligned properly - upgraded to a DeWalt.

    Dust extraction is OK in the workshop - I've just finished running 4" PVC throughout. Only have a 550cfm extractor at the moment, but it seems to do the job fine. I'll have to buy or rig a dust extraction hood, but I don't think that should be too much of a problem.
    The Australian Woodworkers Database - over 3,500 Aussie Woods listed: http://www.aussiewoods.info/
    My Site: http://www.aussiewoods.info/darryl/

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2000
    Location
    Drop Bear Capital of Gippsland (Lang Lang) Vic Australia
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    Lightbulb

    Snipe, I posted this before and I will do it again, worth a read..... http://www.woodshopdemos.com/plan-pm.htm
    Or just allow a couple of inches extra.

    ------------------
    : http://community.webshots.com/user/iain49
    Stupidity kills. Absolute stupidity kills absolutely.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Lakehaven, NSW, Australia
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    Post

    Thanks - I've seen it before. Makes a lot of sense - apparently helps the board feed smoothly, and stops snipe caused by the board tilting off level on the in or out feed stages.

    I guess the main thing I'm worried about with the Ryobi is snipe caused by the cutter head assembly moving/tilting on the posts as the board moves in & out. I'm not sure how solid the assembly is - I guess a loose fit on the 4 posts would lead to movement?

    Like you say, if it's a problem I can just allow for the wastage - but there's always that situation where you only have just enough timber to finish the project

    I need a bigger workshop. And a separate timber storage shed. And a separate area for finishing. And more time to spend in it. Don't we all....
    The Australian Woodworkers Database - over 3,500 Aussie Woods listed: http://www.aussiewoods.info/
    My Site: http://www.aussiewoods.info/darryl/

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2000
    Location
    Drop Bear Capital of Gippsland (Lang Lang) Vic Australia
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    Ideal workshop size is what you already have plus 200%, cost of living is your income plus 40%.
    Thats my situation anyway, probably applies to most of us.
    Back to snipe, if Bunnies have one on display, grab the cutterhead assembly (carefully, dem blades dem is sharp) and give it a wobble, mine won't budge. Could be indicative of how solid it is.
    Problem of course with 'Best Brand' is that every dealer will bag the brand they don't stock, except Bunnies who wouldn't have a clue whats out there anyway. Most seem to be good quality and appear to be badge engineered. Mine is a Geetech and is of very solid construction, even the gears and alignment parts are all well finished metal.
    Make sure that a dust port is available too as making one could probably be a pain.
    Incidentally, Geetech is a Taiwan manufacturer and I suspect the source of DeWalt, Delta,Carbatec and others. I had a look at their web site and they manufacture a range of WW power tools.

    ------------------
    : http://community.webshots.com/user/iain49
    Stupidity kills. Absolute stupidity kills absolutely.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    Shanghai, People's Republic of China
    Age
    66
    Posts
    56

    Post

    So, does anybody out there have a Dewalt thicknesser? I too am looking for a thicknesser. I liked the Jet but can't see $1600 value in it. Dewalt seems to receive rave reviews but how does it perform?
    Thansk,
    Peter

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Donvale, Vic
    Posts
    148

    Post

    Darryl
    For what it's worth.
    When I was looking for a thicknesser some months ago, one of the better Bunnings assistants in whom I have a lot of faith, told me about this new Ryobi model, and advised me to wait. I was talking to her today. They sold out of their first delivery of the new Ryobi within days - didn't even unpack them for display. Have had no complaints, and have a large number of back orders to fill
    Mick

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
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    Lakehaven, NSW, Australia
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    Post

    Iain: I'll do that. So far I've not been able to get real hands on with it - tough to get hold of the one guy in each store who seems to know what day it is

    I've been trying to stay away from salesmen this time around - they all bag each other. I've been hunting around the bulletin boards, review sites etc. - trying to learn as much as I can and get a good range of opinions.
    The Australian Woodworkers Database - over 3,500 Aussie Woods listed: http://www.aussiewoods.info/
    My Site: http://www.aussiewoods.info/darryl/

  14. #13
    Join Date
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    Lakehaven, NSW, Australia
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    Post

    Pete: I like the look of the DeWalt too - just seems like they've employed some really good designers. If the look & ergonomics are anything to go by, it should be a nice machine. The reviews on the US forums basically put it on a par with the Delta performance wise.

    Mick: I've occasionally found good help at Bunnings too - varies a hell of a lot though. One guy in particular at a store 1/2 hour North of me is a cabinetmaker and seems to really know his stuff.

    You normally expect Ryobi to be really lightweight and cheap - but this unit surprised me. Seems at least as good as the no-name Taiwanese units, but with a large company warranty - and at half the price. I'm not surprised they are selling a lot of them. From hunting around the various wood sites, it seems this unit is part of a new range they are releasing. Certainly here in Aus the competition from GMC & others has really got to be eating their market share. The tool market seems to be getting very, very crowded.

    As much as we all bag Ryobi, I've had a small bench drill from them for 15 years now, and it's still going strong, despite being treated incredibly badly I finally bought myself a larger, better quality unit a couple of weeks ago, but the old one is still going to get some use.

    Assuming a closer inspection checks out, I'm going to go see if I can pick up the thicknesser this weekend I think.
    The Australian Woodworkers Database - over 3,500 Aussie Woods listed: http://www.aussiewoods.info/
    My Site: http://www.aussiewoods.info/darryl/

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2001
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    1,652

    Post

    Darryl, it looks like you've made a decision. Hope the Ryobi meets your expectations.

    Do us a favour after you've used it for a few months - give us a critique of it's pros and cons - it's strenghts and weaknesses.

    I suspect many of us have a thicknesser on their shopping list also.

    ------------------
    Woodchuck Canuck
    Good luck is the residue of good planning!

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    Albany WA
    Age
    83
    Posts
    749

    Post

    I have a Dewalt and am very happy with it. I bought it about 15 months ago from a small builder's supply store for $950. At the time the same router was selling for a bit over $1050 at Bunnings etc. I buy a lot of stuff from this store and he gave me a discount.
    If you can get one for less than $1000 then you will be doing OK.
    I won't comment on the relative merits of other brand products as I have not seen them in operation, except for a brief look at a Ryobi in another home workshop. I have to say that the Ryobi did the job on a piece of sheoak and produced a nice finish.

    It only takes one drink to get me loaded. Trouble is, I can't remember if it's the thirteenth or fourteenth.

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