Thread: reliability of cabatec 12 in thicknesser ctj350

CT-317 cheap as chips and almost unbreakable(within reason) can't complain about it, however wasn't there a general bashing the thicknesser thread about a similar machine almost year ago?

Carbatec list the model # per your quote, as a Jointer, not a thicknesser.

I think you are referring to the CTJ-340 thicknesser, no longer catalogued by C/T. Try using a rubber poly-vee belt instead of the makers replacement belt. C/T in Perth can supply these alternative belts. Solved my problem with belt burnout.

I had exactly the same problem with mine, going through 3 belts in the first month. The plastic cover was scrap after the first failure, never been replaced.

I found that, for some reason, the thread on the drive-pulley is RH thread (?? I think, without actually going to have a look. So, I'm lazy. Sue me. ) ... so when the thicknesser starts up it loosens under inertia. After a while, the pulley moves on the key and "plink..." off comes the belt. Bloody sloppy engineering. Some 18months ago I loctited the nut and haven't replaced a belt since. I've since sourced a lock-nut, which'll go on next belt replacement. As I said, I'm lazy.

The only other complaint I have is the dust-extraction hood... it's a cheap plastic that has sagged in the middle over time, just enough to catch the leading edge of the timber as it exits. :mad: One day I'll trim the bugger, but it's another piece of sloppy engineering.

If both problems had shown at the same time I'd have wanted a refund, but I didn't have a suitable dusty and used the metal "un-extracted" plate for the first 6 months. All in all, I'm happy with it just the same. The blades are good quality and give a nice finish, they're easily sharpened and reset and it stays set at the chosen height. My previous thicknesser tended to "drop" as I sent a piece of timber through... instant wedges. [shudder]

lyctus,Skew,

Thanks for your replies. I think I will get onto Carbatec Pth and get me a coupld of those belts.

I have the same problem with the nut, whats doing with a nut that undoes when the machine is working, bloody silly! If you have a close look at the rod it sits on it is almost as if there should be a circlip on it, the rod is machined for one. I even went to the manual to see if one should have been there. I found after trying to get the pully to align properly, a near impossible task, that if you get it pretty much right the nut will hold, for a while anyway, but if the alignment is out at all the nut comes of straight away. I think i will go the lock nut and loctite route. Once again, thanks guys.

Cheers,

Bakes