Thread: Choosing a Thicknesser (DeWalt, Carbatec, Timbecon)

You'll find that a 90mm storm water fitting will be a nice push fit into the thicknesser dust outlet - that's a fitting, not the pipe, which is quite a bit smaller.

Only problem that you've got now is that you can't use it. It's not Xmas yet so you haven't officially received it.

Originally Posted by aldav

You'll find that a 90mm storm water fitting will be a nice push fit into the thicknesser dust outlet - that's a fitting, not the pipe, which is quite a bit smaller.

Only problem that you've got now is that you can't use it. It's not Xmas yet so you haven't officially received it.

Haha, that's exactly what I bought... I got a 90 degree elbow fitting, and the pipe to connect it. The 90 degree elbow feeds into another pipe and then into one of these
Holman 90mm Storm PVC Finish Collar with Grate | Bunnings Warehouse (the grate can be removed)
which I've cinched into the bag.

Hope it works. Amazon messed up the delivery for my folding tables for the thicknesser, so will wait until Monday to give it a first go.

If you're just relying on the blower in the thicknesser to blow the dust into the bag the 90 degree fitting probably isn't a good idea, the 90 will knock all the power out of the airstream. If it doesn't work too well you can always swap it out for a 45 to see if that's an improvement.

Lots of people use 90 degree elbows, without using another vac to increase power. See pictures here:

5 Micron Bag for Rockler Wall Mount Dust Collector | Rockler Woodworking and Hardware

Also pics on Amazon. But no dramas, they're only a few bucks. I'll pick up a 45 from Bunnings if needed.

You might also need to make a small stand that straddles the outfeed side to support the bag as it will sag down on top of your timber as soon as it starts to fill with shavings.
After seeing some of the photos in your link running it out to the side would alleviate that problem. Some of those setups have used long radius bends which will give better airflow or use 2 45's to make a 90 degree bend.

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So it's mostly going well. Dust collection is fine, but boy it collects a lot! No idea how to get rid of this stuff, I'll have to look into it.

But I seem to already have damaged a blade... or it came that way. There aren't any nails or knots that I've gone over, so no idea how it's happened, but on the 3rd piece I started noticing a line through the wood from start to finish. If I move any timber into a different position, the line shifts (so stays in the same spot relative to the blade).
Wonder what could have happened.

Other than that, I'm LOVING how the Walnut is looking after finishing, and I'm not even using the "nice" cut from the machine. I've no idea how it could look even better when I switch over.

May I suggest a handheld metal detector similar to this one.

Carbatec Metal Detector | Carbatec

The garden is a good option for the wood shavings.

Cheers crowie

That is one of the problems with solid blades and even a bigger problem with the Dewalt. On other brands that don't use pins to locate the blades you can move one blade slightly sideways and that blade will remove the ridge left by the others where they are damaged.
I agree with Crowie, most of my shavings end up on the garden.
Just another tip if you aren't already aware of it, don't put boards with paint on them through the thicknesser. Paint is very abrasive on blades and will dull them quickly. If I have boards with paint on I run a handheld electric plane with carbide blades over them and remove the paint first. The carbide blades handle the paint without a problem.

Originally Posted by crowie

May I suggest a handheld metal detector similar to this one.

Carbatec Metal Detector | Carbatec

The garden is a good option for the wood shavings.

Cheers crowie

Thanks for the suggestion for the metal detector. There could have been something in there, I guess. Is this a process everyone runs for undressed timber?

In any case, the marks so far aren't a big issue. I'm sure they'll sand away but if it's something I can prevent in future, I'll do so.

The table legs still haven't turned up, so snipe has been an issue, but again, not unmanageable.

As for wood chips, sadly I don't have that sort of garden... no grass to speak of, but maybe my parents will take it

Originally Posted by Treecycle

That is one of the problems with solid blades and even a bigger problem with the Dewalt. On other brands that don't use pins to locate the blades you can move one blade slightly sideways and that blade will remove the ridge left by the others where they are damaged.
I agree with Crowie, most of my shavings end up on the garden.
Just another tip if you aren't already aware of it, don't put boards with paint on them through the thicknesser. Paint is very abrasive on blades and will dull them quickly. If I have boards with paint on I run a handheld electric plane with carbide blades over them and remove the paint first. The carbide blades handle the paint without a problem.

Very handy tip, thank you. I haven't run anything through with paint but I will definitely keep that in mind! I have a DeWalt electric planer with carbide blades, so will use that in future.

Mate, sound choice you made there. If you're ever interested I still have 2 sets of blades going for $100 plus postage. Never used, I put in a helical.

2 Sets of blades for Dewalt DW735 Thicknesser

Thanks Fekit, will keep that in mind!
I'm a little broke right now after this purchase so will make do with the blades I have.

Did make an error today though. I was making legs (below) for a project, and when running it through, on one piece forgot to check grain direction. I'd glued all the pieces up so the grain would line up, but just on this one piece, forgot to check before sending it through.

The planer ripped out a corner of the leg. I had cut the legs long on purpose so I'll trim some of the damage, but now I have to spend some time repairing it later... oh well, lesson learned

As much as I'm having fun with the planer sled, it's no substitute for a jointer!

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And I'm still in love with Walnut! God damn this stuff is nice; the first time I've worked with it (still a newbie to this hobby) and the chocolate tones mixed with "milky way" sapwood... yes please!!

As much as I'm having fun with the planer sled, it's no substitute for a jointer!

That's kinda true, however, you need to ask yourself how many planer sleds are you going to go through before you bust through the price of a 14inch jointer?

Originally Posted by Fekit

That's kinda true, however, you need to ask yourself how many planer sleds are you going to go through before you bust through the price of a 14inch jointer?

oh god, now you've made me start looking around, and can see Carbatec do a 150mm and 200mm jointer.... what the heck.
Okay, writing letter for Santa next year...

Originally Posted by aussieadam

oh god, now you've made me start looking around, and can see Carbatec do a 150mm and 200mm jointer.... what the heck.
Okay, writing letter for Santa next year...

I picked up a secondhand 6” Carbatec here on the forum for $200 before I bought the Dewalt.
Still got it, works well!
Keep an eye on Market Place as they come up from time to time