Thread: Looking for feedback on Carbatec spiral head thicknesser

Got Byrd helix heads on the buzzer and thicknesser at work if you want to come and have a look. Factory is in Moorabbin.

The CT spiral heads are NOT proper helix heads; the inserts are set in a spiral around the head but are still square to the cut.
Spiral: http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j0...-803-1060-.jpg
Helix: http://www.wizardproducts.com.au/ima...Shelix%202.jpg

I have a 15" Carbatec CTC-381 that I recently fitted with a USA Byrd Helix spiral cutter head. The difference in this compared to the original straight cutters is nothing short of amazing. The finish is excellent especially on knotty blackwood compared to straight cutters on my Carbatec and also the MiniMax units. The biggest surprise is the reduction in noise. The Byrd unit is worth the expense and suggest you check one out first hand. My understanding is the Taiwanese spiral cutters on the Carbatec units are better than std. straight cutters but not any where equal to the USA Byrd units in performance.
Cheers,
Paintman

Thanks guys, I'll be seeing him tomorrow and will pass it on

Originally Posted by PaintMan

I have a 15" Carbatec CTC-381 that I recently fitted with a USA Byrd Helix spiral cutter head. The difference in this compared to the original straight cutters is nothing short of amazing. The finish is excellent especially on knotty blackwood compared to straight cutters on my Carbatec and also the MiniMax units. The biggest surprise is the reduction in noise. The Byrd unit is worth the expense and suggest you check one out first hand. My understanding is the Taiwanese spiral cutters on the Carbatec units are better than std. straight cutters but not any where equal to the USA Byrd units in performance.
Cheers,
Paintman

G'day Paintman,

A few questions if you don't mind as I'm looking to up-grade my CTJ-381 thicknesser which I brought in 2006.

Just want to clarify your thicknesser model is CTC-381 correct or do you mean CTJ-381?

What year is your thicknesser?

Did you do the spiral head change over yourself and if so were there any issues?

Did you buy the spiral head from here in Australia and if so from whom? and what was the cost?

Much appreciated
Thanks
Rod

Hi Rod,
correct I have a CTJ-381 that I bought new about 4 years ago. After a lot of research on this forum and in seeing my friends Powermatic that had the Byrd USA cutter heads I was convinced on the superior finish with these units. This is especially noticeable on difficult blackwood timbers that I mostly use. The folks at Holmesglen TAFE are big fans also and again you will find their input on this forum. Whilst it is quite a bit cheaper to buythe Byrd Helix cutter head directly in the USA from Grizzly I bought mine from the Aussie distributor in Qld. Costs will vary between $800-1200 I fitted the unit myself without any dramas as the supplied instructions are good. All up it took only a few hours and there were no dramas.
You will see ads by the distributor in all local woodworker mags.
I have been so happy with mine that I am saving up to fit a similar unit on my Minimax CU300 machine.
Cheers,
Paintman

Did you actually purchase a Carbatec spiral head thicknesser. If so what dust extractor system are you using please

Originally Posted by loopy111

Did you actually purchase a Carbatec spiral head thicknesser. If so what dust extractor system are you using please

Yes I bought a large Carbatec 3.5 Hp Cyclone system that I have now been using for about seven years. Following the advice from Bob L. on this forum I have it fully ducted and it works well. I notice they do not have this machine listed on their website but I expect they are still available from the Taiwanese supplier.
Cheers,
Paintman