Thread: HEADS-UP - Talon 13 inch thicknesser

Looks very similiar to my Ryobi one too. It was around the same price as this one (or maybe around $300) and has done a great job so far.

Does the Ryobi have the digital readout?

Dear Woodwould,

Yes - that unit most certainly is the same as a T-330, complete with Cutter-Head Lock handle hiding around the corner on the blind side of the photo. In case you haven't stumbled upon the following thread yet, have a look at it because there's three confirmed buyers of the unit in the thread who might be able to give you some feedback about it if you send them a very-nice PM...

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=63682

Best Wishes (and Merry Christmas),
Batpig.

Actually I bought a T-330 some weeks ago, but as yet haven't plugged it in. I searched the forum for this model prior to purchasing mine, but didn't come across that thread, so fingers crossed here too!

I'm one of the T-330 owners, bought mine at the Melbourne WWW show in 2007. A couple of moves and a bad back have conspired to prevent me from giving mine a really good work out, but this is what I've observed so far.

The unit seems to work OK when it works, but I've had a couple of breakdowns (given the very limited use, this is a bit of a worry). The 1st issue was the locking lever; if loosened too much it can jam, and you need to take the covers off to fix it. The first time I had to return it for service, because a couple of the allen screws attaching the covers had stripped heads. H&F replaced them with better quality ones, so the next time it happened (when I moved) I was able to fix it myself.

The other issue is with the feed speed switch. Mine has a dead spot so that last time I tried to switch from slow to fast speed, I got "no speed". Having just re-read the other thread, sounds like mcarthur has the same issues, so may be a fault in the switch design. So now I just leave it on slow speed, which gives a nice finish on the timber.

I've used it on NG rosewood and some of the reject flooring timber, and other than a bit of snipe (short infeed and outfeed tables) I'm happy with the results.

Yep, I'm another owner. It's a pretty good machine overall - better I reckon than the 12.5" GMC/Ryobi/et al. but not up to the Triton 13" (and priced accordingly between these two). I've had the feed-speed problem a couple of times wherein the speed suddenly drops to nothing. Usually turning off and then on fixes it. As Switt says, leaving it on a single speed seems to work perfectly and the finish is very good.

Haven't had that problem with the locking lever. Digital height guage is sweet - wouldn't have another thicknesser without one I reckon. Dust collection is OK when attached to a 2hp via 100mm pipe, but we were outside so I can't really comment on whether there was much fine stuff (would be unusual for a thicknesser). Interestingly, I haven't had any snipe I can measure; this with a digital caliper and randomly choosing boards over a run through 1cu.m of studley's boards. I'm happy on that score .

I must admit I've been thinking of trading up to a bigger 15" job since a) I've got another 2-3 cu.m of hardwood boards to get through soon and half is 200mm or more wide, and b) the prices are inexorably going up and getting in now before they're even higher or the stores go out of business may be canny (or stupid ).

So anyone wanting a genuine H&F T-330 speakup and assist my decision. Oh, also the Talon one says 15amps (huh? 1800W?). I run the T-330 on a standard powerpoint (ie. not 15 amp socket) and, eh-hem, on the same circuit as the 2hp dusty. Can't say how the Talon would fare.

Rob

Thanks for the reviews guys, but I am not entirely convinced the Talon and the Hare and Forbes machines are the same unit.....I am sure certain elements have been substituted to make them more cost competitive. I am a believer in you get what you pay for. I did, afterall, buy the useless Triton wet grinder and regret it every day.

So, are there any owners of the Talon units? If they are OK I may buy one.

Mcarthur, I am interested in buying yours if you are serious about parting with it. I would much rather buy a second hand unit that I know works well. If you are serious just PM me the price you want for it (perhaps if we devise a method of getting it to Sydney we are in business!)

Regards,

Anthony

I have managed to negotiate with the CFO on the basis that this Talon model was cheaper than the equivalent GMC or Ozito units at Bunnings. So... one is on order waiting for delivery. Hopefully it is not too bad in terms of construction. Given that I don't get too many shed weekends it should be enough for the occasional weekend warrior.

I'll let you know after it is delivered and I get the corresponding shed time to try it out. Certainly the cutter lock and digital readouts make it a better value proposition than the other cheapies.

Peter

The Talon thicknesser arrived today. Setup was fairly straightforward and the unit seems solid. Ran some old pine through it and no sign of snipe with the cutter lock in place. Digital readout is a major plus and the dust chute has both vac and 100mm connections.

The only minor defect is that the rear plate will not stay upright with the dust chute in place.

I purchased mine today hope it turns out to be a good unit for those little jobs. I now have a little bit more money to spend on a jointer

just looked at the site again and they are now at $199 wern't they $299 before?


just answered my own question

Promotional prices starts 12PM 08/01/2009 and ends 4PM 12/01/2009 AEDT

extra bargain but is it a waste of money for occasional use and a beginner

Paid $249 for mine. Should've waited a week or two, but $199 for a thicknesser with cutter lock and digital readout is cheap as chips.

just ordered one not much to lose i suppose!

just wondering how the talon is anyone used theirs yet?