Thread: Best value combo thicknesser jointer

Hi all. I would also appreciate hearing everyone's opinions on quality value for money combo units. I'm looking at all options though and am regularly scanning ebay etc.

Hopefully to boot the conversation, does anyone have any thoughts on the Scheppach hms 2600ci units? I think they are in the $1,500+ range. Saw review in maybe the australian woodworker which seemed favourable, but then have read on the forum that others don't think too highly of Scheppach generally.

http://www.scheppach.com/en/products...ash=ac403f45b7

Not looking to replace the machine in the forseeable future (ever!). $2k would probably be my max budget if i could get away with it.

All advise, alternatives and comments appreciated.

Cheers
Ryan

[quote=JourneyMan;942837]
http://www.scheppach.com/en/products...ash=ac403f45b7
quote]

No dust extraction?

How does this one from Carbatec rate?

http://www.carbatec.com.au/machinery...r-cabinet-base

have a look at the woodfast 12 inch that carbatec sell .the changeover between modes is quicker then dust extraction better and the build quality is also better

Id also take a look at the jet

Scheppach has a "suction connector" of 100mm. I believe it's a good unit and is about $600 cheaper than the Jet, which is also supposed to be a good unit.

I will be looking to pick up a Scheppach combo machine in around a month as it suits my needs. I'm partial to a bit of German engineering too. I already have a fair bit of Chinese and Taiwanese gear (which I must admit has never let me down).

Originally Posted by YeahNah

Scheppach has a "suction connector" of 100mm. I believe it's a good unit and is about $600 cheaper than the Jet, which is also supposed to be a good unit.

I will be looking to pick up a Scheppach combo machine in around a month as it suits my needs. I'm partial to a bit of German engineering too. I already have a fair bit of Chinese and Taiwanese gear (which I must admit has never let me down).

Where can you buy them in brisbane anyone?
and how much are they?

Fubar, i had noticed the Woodfast combo, however after searching the forums i was put off them by Derek Cohen's brief review in this post:

https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...oodfast+planer

Mac Man, the Jet units look fantastic would be what i'd get if i had the money, however the 12" model is $3,400 and 10" unit is $2,300, which is considerably more than the Woodfast and Scheppach units. Although i'm sure the difference in quality would more than reflect the higher price.

YeahNah, please make sure you get back to us on how the Scheppach works out. Better still a full review in the reviews forum would be great

Can't remember where i saw it, but i THINK i read somewhere that some of the Scheppach machines are now made in China etc? But i'm probably just talking out of #### and thinking of some other brand. Does anyone know the truth about this? Or anything about the quality of Scheppach?

Cheers to all those who have replied.

Ryan

I have a Holz Profi 310Stp. but its a tad expensive. however as you specify it has no compromises in quality or robustness. in my view its as good as a felder or hammer. Ive given it a right belting over the last few years and its never complained.

if you look through the old threads you may find some of my previous posts on it - also i made a video once that was floating around here (if you have a bit torrent file sharing program) then you may be able to download it - the vid shows my workshop, how to set your knives with magnets and a brief overview of the Holz Profi machine.

I thoroughly recommend this unit - especially over the Shepparch. I dont like the shepparch as its "pressed steel" construction and relatively lightweight. the fact that you can spearete the top from the bottom is also disconcerting - I know a bloke who has an old bag of 40 kg concrete in the base to stabilise it...

WHY 2 machines ? a heavy duty thickensser can be cheaply bought from carbatec (say a 15 incher) be put on wheels and stored under a 8 or 12 inch jointer. or second hand for less...

Originally Posted by Zed

WHY 2 machines ? a heavy duty thickensser can be cheaply bought from carbatec (say a 15 incher) be put on wheels and stored under a 8 or 12 inch jointer. or second hand for less...

I just assumed a jointer that big would be too expensive. For example, the only 12 inch jointer Carbatec appear to sell is $3,500:

http://www.carbatec.com.au/machinery...strial-jointer

I don't know what would be the best option and I am keen for any advice but I just assumed a combo machine might be the answer given the space limitation and cost factor. Happy to consider an alternative view that meets my needs.

Also why is it that the standard size of most jointers is only 6 inches? I would have thought there would be more regular need to plane a flat face on boards wider than this. Is this not the case?
This is another reason I am considering a combo machine (i.e. for the increased jointing capacity).

I have some rough sawn timber (some of which is cupped and/or warped) that is around 35mm thick and the boards are around 8 inches wide. My understanding is that to remove the cupping/warping I need a jointer (and a wide capacity jointer for this timber) and a thicknesser will not eliminate this cupping/warping but only reduce the thickness. Is this correct?

id think you would be better off ripping boards that wide in half, milling them then gluing them back together

if you take care to keep the pieces together and glue a freshly milled surface you will not see the join and will be strong as new without the cupping

Once I have the Scheppach, I'll give you a candid opinion, including where it's made. Review to follow once I've given it a workout. If it's a dud, I will call it a dud (it better not be).

Jointers are great for truing up edges at the desired angle (usually 90 degrees) although it can be used for rabbetting.

Thicknessers generally used for providing flat faces on boards (warped and cupped boards included) and as the name suggests, thicknessing.

Of course different people will do things differently (YMMV). One of the things I like about the combo machines is more horsepower on the jointer if you bought one seperately.

you need both a jointer and a thicknesser. run a face over the board to get a flat surface, then turn at 90 deg to get a squared edge. you can then square up the other sides either on the thicknesser or on a table saw if you have one. but you do need both. a thicknesser will dimension a length of timber that isn't flat but you will then have a precisely thicknessed non flat board.

in my opinion, shepparch is crap. you WILL grow out of it. spend the money now if you are serious... there are many reviews in AWR over the years that specify this and I agree having seen them work and in the shop.. they are "buzzy" and made in china now so the quality that once was there I believe in my opinion is no longer there. better off with a carbatec or if you must a clone of thier gear - all the taiwanese gear is seemingly made in the same factory or to pretty much the same or similar specs. you also sound like you are a relative beginner - get a book on combo machines - there are plenty out there - they will show you the basics and why you need both. whatever you do dont get a supermarket special like ryobi or GMC or other no name nonsense brand - WOFTAM and landfill all of them. you get what you pay for, its as easy as that.

six inches is just the first "common" size, not the "standard" size. they go up from 4 inches (rarely these days) up to about 18 inches. dont buy a 6 dish out for a 8 if you going for a dedicated jointer or as you say a combo gives you 12 for both (like my Holz Profi) Ifi I had a bazzillion dollars I would get a dedicated 12 inch jointer and 20 inch thicknesser, In my view that is an ideal setup for a full on hobbyist. I think MAJOR PANIC (userid) used to have a link to his home web page, if that is still up and he still has the relevant photo's on it you can see what a bloody good workshop is set up as.

one more thing, when realise you need serious dusty workings, amke sure all your coupling and connectors on each machine are the same dimension. 4 inches seems to be the go.. I find it ample anyways.