Thread: Going from separate planer and separate thicknesser to a combination machine

In my less than humble opinion, the only reason to go combo is to save space. My A3-31 is one of my favourite machines, but I'd opt for separates in a heartbeat if I had the space. Changeover is only a minute's work, but it still becomes first-world-problem tedious, particularly if you're processing a lot of wood. You'll need to plan carefully to avoid swapping back and forth.

I don't know anything about the machine you've linked to, but you should note that the machines like that one that tilt the jointer tables back at an angle tend to require you to remove the fence every time you switch to planer. This is particularly tedious.

Yes I agree, that machine of yours looks very pricey indeed

I have a jet 12" planer thicknesser. These are my thoughts.

Pros
Less space
Cheaper than two separate machines
Wide bed for a planer, most separate planers are less than 200 mm, not usually an issue but i have been planing some 250 + mm wide boards this week so I appreciated this

Cons
Despite taking less than a minutes to move between modes it's still a vaguely annoying, especially if, like me, you are not well organised and make it up as you go along. This is probably not an issue if you have a cut list and prepare all your stock ahead of joining.
Really wish I had a longer bed on the planer, not an issue for bowed or cupped boards but twisted boards always need "pre-flattening" by hand so they don't rock. Honestly would probably still have to do this with a longer bed anyway.

In all it's kind of a 50:50 thing, there are always going to be cons that you have to deal with. Moving between modes is not really that bad, my biggest issue with my jet is bed length but the width of the bed makes up for this. Space, if it's constraining is the one thing that you can't just learn to work around.

unless you have a lot of space. most people go Thicknesser/Planer combo. the pros outweighs the cons.

I have the woodman 300mm spiral head combination planer thicknesser.
I have a very small shed so having seperate machines was not an issue.
They have one that is the same size as the one you're looking at for around the same price.
I am a hobbyist so time spent making things is an enjoyment.
If I was doing it for a living it might be a different thing.
I don't have to remove the fence when changing between functions as Bernmc said happens on some machines.
I think having a two for one machine is ideal for a hobbyist such as myself.
I will say though, my 300mm machine required a 15amp power circuit. Not sure about the 250mm model.
And you can get bases to sit them on to make them mobile which might be useful to you.

Cheers

Frank

I too have a combination machine (310 mm wide). It is certainly a compromise, but I would make the same choice given a second opportunity.

These were some key positives in my decision making process:

• The wide jointer.
• Carbide spiral cutter head cost. These things cost a lot of money, and as a hobbyist who is pretty careful with what I put through the machine, I don't see myself wearing out a set of four faced cutters during my ownership. The economies of having two machines with spiral cutters just wasn't there. Sharing one cutter head between two machining operations seemed the smart choice.
• Space. Don't fall into the trap of just considering the footprint. Both jointing and thicknessing require infeed and outfeed space if processing longer pieces. In my shed, long spaces which can accommodate this are at a premium.

And the negatives...

• Narrower planer. Most generic floor standing units start at 380 mm, so I loose 70 mm of width.
• Convenience. It is a little repetitive switching back and forth. Having said that, it is much less an issue now than it was when I first got it. I have improved my workflow by preparing all of my stock for a project (or phase) in a batch. I will also echo Frank's comment about enjoying the time to make things. It's a mindset. Cranking the handwheel furiously for 15 seconds to change the machine function leaves me frustrated, whereas doing it in a leisurely 25 seconds keeps me in a happy mindset. It sounds silly having written it, but it is my experience.

The only other perceived negative which I read repeatedly in my research and feel compelled to pre-empt, is that you loose your thickness settings when you change the machine, so if you have to prepare additional stock you won't get it the same thickness. I think this a red herring. Unless every part of your project is the same thickness, you'll have the same issue with a stand-alone unit. Secondly, if your machine has a calibrated depth meter (think Hammer's digital handwheel etc.), it's a simple matter of setting the thicknesser back to the exact thickness you need.

Anyway, food for thought

Hi Arry

My one piece of advice is to make sure the combo machine you buy is equal to or better than the two machines you are replacing.

I started out with a ryobi generic 12" thicknesser which sniped like buggery but otherwise went OK. Upgraded to a horrible Carbatec AW106PT combo planer thicknesser which, despite several years of frustrated tinkering and adjusting and numerous dummy spits, is still a horrible P.O.S. and now sits silently gathering cobwebs in the corner of the shed. That was replaced with a Powermatic 8" jointer and a Dewalt 12" thicknesser, both with helical heads. They are a dream to use.

I was intending to sell/dispose of the AW106PT but (1) I can't in all good conscience sell the POS to an unsuspecting woodie, and (2) it is a constant reminder to buy quality, proven machinery because you only have to buy them once.

There are pros and cons to combo machines, if you do decide to go that route just make sure you get yourself a quality machine because the extra dollars are always well spent.

My 2c worth
Regards
Twosheds

PS Anybody needing spare parts for a AW106PT you can PM me, going cheap.

Originally Posted by chemfish

...
Cons
Despite taking less than a minutes to move between modes it's still a vaguely annoying, especially if, like me, you are not well organised and make it up as you go along. ...

Chemfish has nailed it. Whether a combo or separates is best for you, really comes down to this question. If you are the type who is conststently well organised then the saving in real estate is great; a lack of ongoing planning and its a PIA.

I have a 12 inch holz profi under/over and its great. I got the $hits with the constant swapping even tho its easy/quick. I ended up buying a 15 inch thicknesser and have not used the thicknesser mode on the holz since - thats almost 10 years. SOOOOOOO much easier. if you have room dedicated machines are far better. mind you having a 12 inch jointer is a wonderful luxury. I process a lot of timber so its much simpler to swap machines and change a few blast gates than it is to switch modes.

building a dust system is easy enough its just one more y piece + a couple of blast gates and some hose. why fark about with mode swaps?

thats my 2c