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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Blue Mountains NSW
    Posts
    148

    Default Durden T360 Australian thicknesser

    A lot happening in the workshop at the moment.
    next project the thicknesser.
    I have had this machine for longer than I would like to admit. I bought it because I wanted a great solid Aussie machine and I was fortunate to have one at the school I taught in, hence why I never set mine up. So know the time has come and I am contemplating a helical cutter for the machine $1500. I have had some feed back that these machines can have gear and table raising mech issues and parts are no longer available. So I guess the question is should I make such a large investment in an older machine or buy a new machine with the cutter head ?
    really appreciate any thoughts.
    I guess the machine would be 30 plus years old.
    cheers

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    May 2016
    Location
    Perth
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    407

    Default

    I'm biased toward the old machines so I say keep it. If it's lasted these 30 years then I reckon it's a good bet to go another 30 if you look after it. Maybe give it a fresh coat of paint if you want the new machine look. Cheers, Zac.

    Sent from my SM-A115F using Tapatalk

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    4,470

    Default

    Like most old machines they are built to last, unfortunately when the company no longer supports (Durden) or have long disappeared you have to decide when something does break whether you want make a new part or have a machine
    that has spares off the shelf, also bare in mind that many machines that are only 5 or 6 years old these days have very limited spares available.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    In between houses
    Posts
    1,784

    Default

    Just buy a few discarded heads and knives like I did and change them frequently, way cheaper than a spiral head and less headaches. The money you save can buy something else, or a planer knife sharpening machine, like I’ve just bought.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    4,470

    Default

    As said above no real need for a spiral head, my Durden thicknesser was made in the 50's and is still going strong, has normal straight knives

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Blue Mountains NSW
    Posts
    148

    Default

    Thanks China that is a good point you make.
    cheers

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Blue Mountains NSW
    Posts
    148

    Default

    Thanks Riverbuilder,
    I was spoilt as the school I taught in as we fitted a spiral head and the noise reduction alone was worth the cost not to mention the finish we could achieve.
    cheers

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Blue Mountains NSW
    Posts
    148

    Default Durden T360

    Thanks everyone,
    The other thing to consider is the cost of having straight knives sharpened. When I was working it certainly added up over time.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    619

    Default

    My dream machine would be a Wadkin RM 24" Planner Thicknesser with a helical head. The cost of the head alone to manufacture would be in excess of $5000 however. If I was a professional jointer/pattern maker I could perhaps justify this. BUT reality is I am just a backyard hack that loves wood work and old machines.

    I have a fairly modern machine (less than ~6yrs old) which has a helical head but only cost me $600 - I know I got an absolute bargain considering it originally cost $2,500. Apart from it being a bit tinny and modern looking (very ugly) it does a very good job. The only thing I can fault it on is it's short beds which quickly limits your ability to effectively work with longer stock. I really like the fact that I can plan or thickness something without having to wear ear muffs it's much more quit than the straight knife machine and for me thats worth it as I am in the suburbs of Brisbane.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    4,470

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    Straight Knives can be an advantage when My neighbour plays his BS hip hop so loud that my windows shake I open the shed door fire up the DE and find something that needs to b put through the thicknesser

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    2,205

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    I’ve never owned any Durden machinery personally but did work in a model shop with a Durden bandsaw back in the early 80s.It had Al guards from memory.
    It seemed an ok little saw and I made a few enquires re getting one.
    I was told that they had a composite? frame construction and could delaminate so never chased one up.
    Just wondered about the thicknesser you have China is it cast iron or Al construction?
    H.
    Last edited by clear out; 2nd July 2021 at 11:36 AM. Reason: Typo
    Jimcracks for the rich and/or wealthy. (aka GKB '88)

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
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    The main Frame of my thicknesser is heavy steel plate 3/4-1" I would have to measure it to be exact, the outside body is heavy pressed steel the dust chute is cast iron, I have two machines one for spares.

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