Thread: Benchtop Thicknesser

The H & F thicknesser that I voted Excellent is the T13 model. It's virtually a single speed JET.

Mat,
I haven't voted in the poll because I think it may skew the results: I have an old Ryobi AP12, rather than the current AP13. The retail price for the AP12 was more than twice that of the current retail price of the AP13 and I think it was probably worth the price difference. Besides the lower power (when compared to a stationary machine)disposable blades and the lack of a chip collector I have no complaints about the machine. It has no snipe, as long as long heavy lengths of stock are well supported and an even cut across its width. At the time of purchase the only other option was a Makita which was roughly the same price and which had a stationary cutterhead. Depth of cut was set by changing the table height, making permanent in and outfeed support difficult. At the time I was also doing a lot of onsite work, so a larger machine was not an option.

Mick

I don't think it's entirely fair to rate any tool unless you also have a price comparison. You have to compare apples with apples.

I don't think it is ever going to be "fair" as different numbers of people are going to have different brands.
The way I intend to interpret this is by individual machine and of course there are difficulties with this too, as pointed out, as different models can vary enormously.

I would just like to get a feel if a large number of owners of a particular brand are happy with their choice.

Its interesting that all of the thicknessers including the low end machines are rated "good" by their owners.

Mine's a CT-340 (C=Crappy T=Taiwanese) 1998 model so I can't vote!

When it was new it was "good"

Then after having bearings and chains replaced it was "very bad"

Then I tuned it and set the blades and infeed and outfeed rollers properly (a skill obviously lacking in the guy that repaired it) and it was "good" again.

Then I tried running stuff through on a bit of old melamine shelf material, and it became "fantastic"!

Blade set really impacts on its performance, and I don't know why but snipe is always shocking if it's not right. (The repair guy sent back the machine with the setting jig remodelled so that one side of it was reversed...some sort of joke perhaps? He had certainly used it that way!)

I have tried one of the new Jets with the two speed feed, and I want one!!

In the meantime I'm hoping that the Hafco bearings and chain will last much "ronger than the rast ones".

Cheers,

P

bitingmidge

Why are you so impressed with the two speed jet model? I assume you are talking about the 13 inch benchtop model.

Mat,

Reasons I like the machine are (in no particular order):

1) The slower speed and light cut (admittedly on a brand new machine) gave a finish on some ratty pine with grain in all directions, which was close to hand planed......zero tearout.

2) Separate cut-depth indicator as well as finished size gauge, so that it is very easy to see how aggressive the cut is.

3) Blades offset to the rear of the machine making them very accessable for adjustment/replacement. By far the best I've seen in this respect, but I have not had a look at ANY other mid range machine in a long time and they may all be like this now. If they aren't I'm sure they will be before long!

4)Much quieter than my CT machine.

All up, I don't NEED any of the above badly enough to buy one, and won't be replacing my cheapie in the forseeable future, but I'd still have one if Mr Jet was to give me one!

Cheers,

P

I wanted to vote but you forgot to include the "OTHER" category..

Mine also is a CT, but I have had no trouble at all, The only difference it would seem between mine and 'Midge's, is that mine had pre-set disposable double sided blades.. and I have not had to replace any belts or bearings..

Kev

jackrus and StevenP - Can you tell us why you gave your machines a "medium" rating?

I to am impressed with the finish of cheapo thicknesers. I recently purchased one (made in china? so should be seen under other branding) for £199 delivered with spare set of blades at local show (SWMTPS chatted the young salesman up).
http://www.charnwood.net/ProductDesc...&stockref=W570
Required to reclaim sawn and salvaged timber, some of which I would be reluctant to pass through a top line fine bladed planner such as the one my son has here in Germany.
(Don't have room for one anyway in current garage/workshop)Very impressed with the finish, in fact a small stool made for grandson from old beech chopping board and parana pine shelving did not even require sanding.

Snipe varies, have not mastered that yet, cut depth, hand pressure at back or front reduces it as does longer melamine board as base.

See pics for Snipe marks (quick job not sanded)

Does what I want, Now have to up the waste material handling to cope with output though.

I have an Ryobi AP13 which I baught as are-worked unit for less than $200,

I find that the only time I get bad results and snipe is when I am slack and don't set up things correctly, support for long stock on outfeed etc.

I predominatly work with hardwoods and lately ran 2" redgum boards that were a retaining wall through the unit without any probs what so ever.

I do remember that Ryobi name so tend to take shallow cuts with more passes. And if you don't have a DC attached to it the feed rollers tend to slip after getting a nice coating of dust.

For the money I payed I can't complain unless it chews the wood up and spits it out at me.

Himzo.

Originally Posted by Gumby

I don't think it's entirely fair to rate any tool unless you also have a price comparison. You have to compare apples with apples.

Absolutly.
A thicknesser has been on the wish list for quite a while ( as well as space to put it ) and GMC and some one else I can't remember have started advertising sub$400 models they caught my eye.

How portable are these low end type? Weight?
I would need to take it outside the shed to use it.

Dumbo question, what is snipe?

Originally Posted by Jon

Absolutly.
How portable are these low end type? Weight?
I would need to take it outside the shed to use it.

Mine is 30 KG, not to bad but you feel it a bit if you lift it onto a standard workbench height due to the handles being high up on unit.

Due to lack of space and need to move it for use I have fitted mine on a mobile bench Under my bench saw, not quite so convenient to adjust but as it is not used as often as bench, saw etc. I can live with that.

Originally Posted by Jon

Dumbo question, what is snipe?

The tendancy for the wood to be slightly closer to the cutter when it is only pressed down by one of the drive rollers at the start and end of cut. The cutter consequently takes a little more off for the first 2-3 inches or so and the same at the end.

If you look close at the pictures of the stool you will see a faint line about 3" in from each end af the top and on one leg.

( stool was made within an hour to meet a demand from grandson who wanted to help but with the attention span of a 5 yr old. Thicknesser to finish planks, Saw bench to size and router table for edge and mitre planing. Plus a few dowels.)

Chas