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  1. #1
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    Jun 2009
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    Default Shelix Cutter Head for Carba-Tec CTJ-381 Thicknesser

    I have a Carba-Tec CTJ-381 thicknesser and am thinking of replacing the standard cutter with a Shelix head. Given they don't have any idea as to what a Carba-Tec CTJ-381, does anyone know what make model thicknesser is an equivalent? Anyone else already done the swap?

    Bob

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  3. #2
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    Nov 2006
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    Bendigo Victoria
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    Default

    You may want to give our Incra man, Gwhat, a PM. He has installed a Shelix in his CTJ381, or it could be a similar replacement head.

  4. #3
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    Aug 2006
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    sunshinecoast
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    Default

    Identical to grizzly in the states Bob.
    G0453 15" Planer

    Regards,



    Frank.

    In trying to learn a little about everything,
    you become masters of nothing.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    May 2008
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    BELL POST HILL, 3215
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    Default The Helix Head.

    Hi Bob,
    We recently went to The Melton Mens Shed, & they have a Powermatic Thicknesser, & it has the head you're thinking about.
    The one interesting point is just how quiet they are. The Chaps there ran 8 x 2 1/2in. Red Gum through it. The R/G was absolute rubbish, meaning it had more knots than you could throw a stick at. Done a beautiful job on them.
    Might be worth a trip, to have a look. I think they are open Wed.
    Go to " Mens Sheds Aust. " & you should be able to find a Ph. No.
    I Googled Helix & up it came, not Shelix, but maybe there are 2.
    Regards,
    issatree.
    Have Lathe, Wood Travel.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Paynesville
    Posts
    120

    Default

    Thanks guys & especially Frank - that's the information that I was looking for. At a little over $600 plus freight from Girizzly I'm looking at shipping one across to fit myself. If anyone has any tips on the fit, be glad to hear from you.

    Bob

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
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    Paynesville
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    Default Job's Done

    Based on the good advice provided here I ended up buing a Shelix head for both my CarbaTec 15" thicknesser and also my Jet 6" planer. Cost wise, including both purchase and freight, I ended up paying just a bit over half the Aussie supplied price. Purchasing on-line and freighting to Australia was a soda.

    Installation was a bit over 1 hour on the Jet and a bit over 2 hours on the CarbaTec thicknesser. Having the workshop manuals with step by step instructions for the job made life really easy for the Jet... the Shelix insyructions on-line were good but a bit could have included a bit more detail along the way.

    The only two points to add here would be that (obvioulsy) you need to use a robust pair of mechanics gloves or similar when handling the Shelix heads (and the old heads too for that matter). You do need to handle these cutting heads more than you might first realise, particularly when yiou need to remove and re-fit the bearings. These things are sharp!

    Second point is that to do this job and re-use the existing roller bearings, you do need a bearing puller. Not the kind of tool that most woddies have in the tool box so its good to know inadvance the tiools that you'll need. Gladly I have pullers so the job went smoothly.

    All fitted, installed & tested.... yep they're so much quieter exactly as everyone says. And the result is impeccible finish.

    All up - glad that I did the project (despite my initial trepidation) - was straightforward to do the swap and buying overseas saved me a bundle - this saving was the difference between doing & not doing the job. Very happy woodie now.

  8. #7
    Scribbly Gum's Avatar
    Scribbly Gum is offline When the student is ready, the Teacher will appear
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    Our Hastings Woodworkers Guild installed these cutter heads on our thicknesser and on the jointer last year.
    Yes they are quieter, and yes, the finish is very good. We have found that they only like taking a very fine shaving - anything a little bit on the thickish side - even by accident - pulls the machine up, as the whole head is cutting - not just the three blades like we used to have.
    We are also half way through the four edges on the cutter heads. We are starting to wonder what happens when all the cutter head edges are blunt. I don't think that these can be re-sharpened economically so replacement is the probable outcome.
    How many are there on a 15 inch planer - 75?.....@ $3-$4 each?
    Some members are looking back on the sharpening of the three old blades @ $8 each with nostalgia.
    Cheers
    SG
    .... some old things are lovely
    Warm still with the life of forgotten men who made them ........................D.H. Lawrence
    https://thevillagewoodworker.blogspot.com/

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
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    Rockhampton
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    I am bit late, but never mind, I replaced my original head with a shelix some time back, still on the original cutters but now really need new cutters, I am putting that off for as long as I can but will have to soon, I have wondered whether they could be touched up by placing on a stone and sharpening with cafeful attention paid to keeping them to the same thickness.


    Pete

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Wagga Wagga NSW
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    Default

    We put the shellix head in our woodwork club's thicknesser several years ago and have used all four sides of the blades.
    We have been able to sharpen them by placing face down on a diamond sharpening plate and putting your finger on the mounting hole give them a good rub.
    Takes a while but seems to do a reasonable job.
    Don't know how many times this will work.
    But delays having to buy a new set.
    Give it a try. Keith.

  11. #10
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    Grovedale, Victoria Australia
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    Default

    The thing to look at with sharpening is obviously the cost each time they are sharpened and how many times they would have been sharpened since the shelix have been put in place.

    Another consideration is the quality of finish of these blades compared with the standard blades and as everyone has commented thet are a far superior finish if somewhat slower.

    There was a link somewhere to a US guy and it finished up that it was half the cost to run the shelix over the year compared to using standard knives.

    So all in all better for you better for the wood and better for your hip pocket.
    Jim Carroll
    One Good Turn Deserves Another. CWS, Vicmarc, Robert Sorby, Woodcut, Tormek, Woodfast
    Are you a registered member? Why not? click here to register. It's free and only takes 37 seconds!

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Port Macquarie
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    Default

    For info- the latest "Australian Woodworker" has an ad on p51 for spiral heads by Shelix and CTS. They have a list of machines they fit. May be good for someone who doesn't want to go through the hassle of importing

  13. #12
    cookie48 is offline Old Fart (my step daughters named me)
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    I have seen plenty of ads for the cutters and read a few reports. But the one thing that worries me is, NO BODY MENTIONS A PRICE. Are they that expensive?

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    south perth
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    2

    Default Sheila cutter head Carbatec CTJ-381 thicknesser

    Hi Bob/woodworkers,

    I'm about to purchase a Shelix cutterhead from Grizzly for my Carba-Tec CTJ-381 thicknesser. Glad to hear things worked out with your purchase Bob. I wanted to check that you purchased the Byrd H7768 head. I believe this fits the Grizzly G0453 Planer, which I think is identical to the CTJ-381. Though I'm not 100% sure.

    Also would you recommend purchasing anything else from Grizzly, such as extra cutters, when I place this order since freight is a major component of the cost?

    Thanks
    Pieman.

  15. #14
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    Mar 2014
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    Default

    I didn't check the auto correct - should read SHELIX cutterhead!

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    Melbourne
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Pieman View Post
    Hi Bob/woodworkers,

    I'm about to purchase a Shelix cutterhead from Grizzly for my Carba-Tec CTJ-381 thicknesser. Glad to hear things worked out with your purchase Bob. I wanted to check that you purchased the Byrd H7768 head. I believe this fits the Grizzly G0453 Planer, which I think is identical to the CTJ-381. Though I'm not 100% sure.

    Also would you recommend purchasing anything else from Grizzly, such as extra cutters, when I place this order since freight is a major component of the cost?

    Thanks
    Pieman.
    Cutters are available from one of our forum members here: https://sje-tools.com/carbide-insert...esinserts.html
    Over $1 cheaper per insert than the SHELIX brand and just as good.

    No affiliation, just speaking from experience having gone through many hundred inserts from both companies

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