Thread: Here we go again, which planer/thicknesser to get.

Originally Posted by codeMunk3y

Background-
I am just getting started in woodwork, my father was a carpenter before he passed away and I want to continue that line- I love being able to take a bit of wood an make something beautiful out of it.

Problem-
I don't have a whole lot of cash at the moment. I know I can't afford to buy cheap and all the tools I have bought so far are quality tools. We've also just pulled down an old shed which means I have a lot of rough sawn hardwood lying around that I want to turn into my first workbench, a bed etc.

I've read quite a few threads on this forum in regards to which brands to look at, and if I could, I would go out and buy the most expensive Jet I could find but unfortunately I'm limited to around $2000.

Proposed solution-
1)Combined Planer/Thicknesser
I've read up about others experiences with the Carbatec and Woodfast (offered by Carbatec),both are 12" machines, but the problem with these seems to be the aluminium fences and accuracy. I will be going into Carbatec down here in Launceston to have a look at the machines, and have a look at their build quality. If I'm happy, I'll probably buy one of those.

2) Separate machines
Carbatec 8" Planer which seems to get a good rap here: Link and looks like it has a cast iron fence, solving the issue with the fence on the combined machines. I don't think I'll need to be planing anything wider than 8" so I think I can lose out on being able to plane wider boards for the better fence.

Hafco thicknesser (This one) which a mate found in a second hand shop for $325 with an 'As new' tag on it. I am yet to see it, but if I don't like it, I'd probably go with a Carbatec 12 1/2" economy thicknesser. My only issue with this is that the thicknesser has a very short table- will this increase the chance of snipe or is that only something that I've got to look out for on the planer?

Conclusion-
Is it possible for someone to tell me if I'm heading in the right direction, or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Cheers

I personally like your idea of a combined machine. I've had excellent results from a KITY 12 x 9" and an earlier DeWalt 10 x 6". These Euro machines seem to be very long lived. The DeWalt, now fourth hand, is still going strong after 30 years! My Kity is still accurate despite being 25 years old.

Therefore I'd recommend buying a second hand Euro. As they're all relatively uncomplicated, the only parts generally needing replacement are belts, bearings etc., which are readily replaceable non-specialist items. Rollers, if worn, can be relatively easily and inexpensively resurfaced. There's nothing really that can go wrong, which is why even long defunct brands are still going even decades after their maker's demise.

Where Carbatec now reside in Launceston was for a very long time another company called Machines for Wood, which sold literally hundreds of combi machines to the trade and privately. Most are still going, being quality gear like Scheppach, Elektra Beckum, SCM etc., and regularly appear on the second hand market.

What you'd get for your money SHOULD be a better quality, more accurate and user friendly machine with greater capacity than you could possibly afford new! Check the papers, Flea-bay etc.

Hey RatBag- I've been keeping my eye out in Gumtree and Ebay, I would like a combo machine to keep things compact but when I dropped into Carbatec on Monday, I didn't like the sturdiness of the machines that they had on offer.

I had a look at the 8" planer and was more happy with that, and I think the bloke there sold me the thought of getting it with the Helix cutter as well.

Guys, guys, guys!

trust me on this one.....

Save up a little more and get the Jet 310 HH (helical head) $2950 from Gregory's.........

I tossed and turned for months and I too had a $2k budget, I bit the bullet and OMG I have never looked back.

Two extremley experienced woodworkers have both come over and seen the 310 HH in action and both walked away gob smacked at how good it is. I am currently using the toughest hardest wood you could possibly get your hands on and the 310 does not skip a beat.

If I HAD too I would go the Woodfast 12' but the 310 HH is a step up into another realm.

Milo

$2950 for a Jet 310 HH Milo? Down here in Tassie the best price I could get is $4K. $250 for freight. If you can get one for this price codemunk3y then most definately do so. Don't even bother looking at anything else.

Must admit I scarpered off for a quick look at that price.

Gregmach are advertising the Jet 310 for $2700 plain and $3600 for the helical head, even dearer at Woodworking Warehouse. You could probably negotiate a bit.

Originally Posted by Milo

Guys, guys, guys!

trust me on this one.....

Save up a little more and get the Jet 310 HH (helical head) $2950 from Gregory's.........

I tossed and turned for months and I too had a $2k budget, I bit the bullet and OMG I have never looked back.

Two extremley experienced woodworkers have both come over and seen the 310 HH in action and both walked away gob smacked at how good it is. I am currently using the toughest hardest wood you could possibly get your hands on and the 310 does not skip a beat.


Milo

I endorse MILO'S comment thoroughly ,the helical head makes for a nice cut almost to finish stage.

However codeMunk3y I would consider looking at the options whenever there are WW shows around unless of course you need it like yesterday!
Dealers on the show floor are often more amenable to doing a deal moreover if they do not have to cart the item back to their shop.

There's also the second hand/used market worth checking out some are on line for a first up look for price range however this might have the disadvantage of not being handy or local for you.

Whatever you decide good luck in your search.

Cheers

Thanks all for your help, as I said before, a nice Jet would be awesome but my $2000 budget is set in stone (I have more, but it's going on an engagement ring and that's more important than a thicknesser )

I'll keep my eye out for something second hand, but I'm a bit fussy in that I like to know the history of the machine I'm buying.

Is there an issue with the combo machines and the fact that the infeed/outfeed tables are much shorter than if I get a dedicated planer?

Just as a follow up on this, I ended up going back into Carbatec on Saturday to have another look. The bloke in there said that he'd over ordered the 8" with the spiral head and that he'd give it to me for the Brisbane price ($180 less).

With that I decided to get the 12" thicknesser too which he took some off as well. Very happy, only slightly over budget and I'm on my way to start dressing some timber.

Got home, put it together and didn't need to tune it at all. The machine runs like a dream too and very quiet.

Helix Head: After running some timber over the planer and then through the thicknesser- you can easily tell which side is which, the helix head does an amazing job at smoothing the wood, I'm very happy that I spent the extra up front and would highly recommend anyone else do the same.

Cheers guys for your replies, and your input, hopefully I'll be contributing some of my builds soon.

After searching the forum for tips and insights I made a purchase at the Brissy show last weekend. The 310HH was selling for 2650 (inc GST) on the Friday with a bit of negotiation. On Sunday it was back up to 2950 which is still a great price for a quality machine with a proper helical cutter head. In the end it was a decision between it and the HAMMER but the price of the A31 with a helical cutter was north of 4500 and I could not see enough difference to justify that premium. It arrived this afternoon and I got as far as uncrating it, mounting it on the mobile base and giving it a quick clean up and spray with Inox. Tables will get a good clean then treated with Silver glide over the weekend. I have to extend the dusty ducting as part of getting set up.
First impressions so far.... well crated with steel rails under a solid ply wood box. Almost no assembly required, plug in the cord and fit the cutterblock guard. Instruction manual, in the typical swiss style is in english, german and french and a bit brief. The english section is just 6 pages and does not go into any fine tuning and is brief on the troubleshooting, so hopefully it will run smooth and square from the start. I should be running some test pieces through over the weekend. Start with the some pine and cedar and work up to some red mahogany.