Thread: Benchtop Thicknesser

While its possible take 3mm off in 1 pass in pine over a 12" width , you would need to take a lot less off in something like Jarrah. I generally won't take any more than 2mm off in each pass. In very hard timbers I have got down to 1/2mm per pass.

My CT318 could handle 12" Red Ironbark but only 1mm at a time.

My Carbatec CT318 just died. If that model; was still available I would have got another one the same.

So I just got a GMC and am very pleasantly surprised by it.

I dont think it would handle a full 3mm cut 12" wide even in pine, but it doesn't hurt to go down in stages.

Definately is far less likely to snipe than the CT318.

I have thicknessed to 4mm with the GMC whereas the Ct minimum was 6mm.

Thanks Bob, just looking at all options here before making a decision....looked at the poll which dosen't mean a lot cos some folk may put a positive in to cover a negative ie, in that they may have made a bad decision in buying the model they did!
Looking at a second m/c rather than setting up the function on the combination.

Anyway thanks for your input.

Cheers

I haven't voted either, because my "orange" MB-1931 is not there.
The next door neighbour has a Ryobi AP13 and I have seen the GMC thicknessers at the local Miter10, Carba-tec's CT-317 in the catalogue as well has H&F's. Except for the colour scheme, they all appear to be identical, as we all know they are built in the same factory, well most of them.
My little "orange neighbour annoyer" has served me well for the past three years. I should add that it cops a lot of abuse (western QLD hardwoods). The original blades didn't last long at all (resharpenable) although I still have them has spares! I have two sets of carbide tipped blades and two of HSS. I use the HSS blades for harder timber like brigalow, myall, sheoak, budgeroo etc and the carbide tipped blades for the rest. The main reason for this (and you are probally thinking that I'm a nutter at the moment!!) is that HSS will "give a bit" if it hits a knot or similar as where the carbide will chip (big $). I have them sharpened locally at very little cost ($10 per HSS set and $15 for the carbide).

My Geetech isn't there either but, being a major manufacturer I am happy with its overall performance, including ease of removing blades to get the crud out, God I hate pine.
Dust extraction work well but there is snipe which can be elimintaed with the use of a melamine board.

Ever heard of a brand called Rhino, thats what mine is. Tis very cheapy but it works enough for what I need ATM...

Up the mighty deWalt, it is a very simple tool to use and if there is a problem there warranty is usually fixed up in a couple of weeks. Don't forget - you always get what you pay for. If you pay for crap, then your end result will be similar.

Originally Posted by Kris.Parker1

Up the mighty deWalt, it is a very simple tool to use and if there is a problem there warranty is usually fixed up in a couple of weeks. Don't forget - you always get what you pay for. If you pay for crap, then your end result will be similar.

This poll shows you cannot guage quality by price.
The Dewalt had 2 out of 14 rate the machine as medium.
The oft maligned GMC had a perfect score.

Originally Posted by echnidna

This poll shows you cannot guage quality by price.
The Dewalt had 2 out of 14 rate the machine as medium.
The oft maligned GMC had a perfect score.

Maybe the GMC owners had lower expectations ?

Originally Posted by echnidna

This poll shows you cannot guage quality by price.
The Dewalt had 2 out of 14 rate the machine as medium.
The oft maligned GMC had a perfect score.

I'm left wondering about the value of this thread. The OP asked "let's see how owners rate their thicknessers in terms of quality output ie smoothness and snipe". To me, this mean't it should be compared to another machine in some way, or an experienced used could look at the quality of the cut and state objectively that the finish on the board was of good or poor quality. Forget the ease of blade adjustment/replacement, colour, noise, etc the machine makes, that is irrelevant to the original question.

How is the cut and the snipe? I gave the DeWalt a lower grade based on the snipe. I compared it to another equivalent unit I have used (Makita) and it wasn't quite as good. As far as the finish goes, it gives the same quality as the Makita (assuming both have new/sharp blades). If I allow for the fact I can eliminate snipe by technique, then the DW would move up a notch in its rating. I am assuming by all the GMC responses that snipe does not occur on a free-fed board?

I am a bit surprised to see the GMC being compared to the DW based on the results here. How many compared the GMC to another brand's performance? Have the respondents used another machine so they can compare results?

At the end of the day, all machines provide output that still requires finishing. Some will require a plane to finish the piece, others, just a swipe with a scraper. I haven't seen a planer output a piece ready to finish (yet, though the new DW machines may be getting close).

Perhaps comparisons of the planers should revolve around its ability to achieve the end goal first (provide co-planar surfaces that are almost ready to finish) then; safety, speed, cost, noise, blade designs etc.

Out of interest, how would a scientific test be done to answer the original question (only smoothness of cut and snipe)? I'd suggest measuring distance between scallops caused by the blades, depth between ridges, and tearout. Technique would have to be standard i.e. feed in the piece then let it go once the rollers engage. Let it feed through until it fully exits the other side unsupported.

Of course, each new unit would have to be hooked up to a good extraction unit to ensure chips didn't mar the work, and infeed outfeed extension tables would be necessary to provide support, depth of cut standardised at, say, 1mm. Feed rate at whatever the manufacturer recommended. What have I missed - Dean? Anyone?

"I haven't seen a planer output a piece ready to finish (yet, though the new DW machines may be getting close)."

The GMC has the best finish I have ever encountered. It requires minimal sanding or scraping. The finish is so fine that the workload on my widebelt sander has been reduced by at least 75%. This has greatly reduced my production time
In large part this must be due to the blades, but angles, speed etc all play a part.

Snipe is very minimal

My GMC replaced a worn out carbatec and I am experienced with industrial machinery in a commercial production environment.

I didn't expect a lot from the GMC being a low to midend product but it surprised me so I am extremely happy with it.

Based on this polll , I would not consider a Dewalt or CT340 or Ryobi.

Originally Posted by echnidna

"I haven't seen a planer output a piece ready to finish (yet, though the new DW machines may be getting close)."

The GMC has the best finish I have ever encountered. It requires minimal sanding or scraping. The finish is so fine that the workload on my widebelt sander has been reduced by at least 75%. This has greatly reduced my production time
In large part this must be due to the blades, but angles, speed etc all play a part.

Snipe is very minimal

My GMC replaced a worn out carbatec and I am experienced with industrial machinery in a commercial production environment.

I didn't expect a lot from the GMC being a low to midend product but it surprised me so I am extremely happy with it.

Based on this polll , I would not consider a Dewalt or CT340 or Ryobi.

As someone who really does not like cheap tools, the GMCs have impressed me with their value for money, and this perhaps is another instance.

When you say you wouldn't consider DW, I assume you mean the DW733, as some of the new ones provide a much better finish (DW735).

The aim of my post was to draw attention to the responses that were not responding to the original question, which related purely to quality. Your reply was quoted only because it compared the DW and GMC responses which I wanted to point out were not necessarily comparable due to varying perspectives used when responding.

Cheers.