ML 392 Rebirth.

I am looking at purchasing a combo planer/thicknesser and noticed that Carba-tec don't have the ml 392 on their web site.
So I duely contacted Geoff vai email to find out why and this is the speedy response I recieved

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Peter Jones,
Thanks for enquiry. Whilst the ML-392 appears in our catalogue, the machine does not meet my personal quality criteria,and we have not taken the unit into stock.I am pleased to say that a Carba-Tec modified machine, in conjunction with a major UK collegiate company, has seen major modifications to the mechanism and the modified machine put into production , and I have examined pre-production samples of the new model, and I am now satisfied with the new unit.
We will now import these machines and they should be available in the first quarter of next year.

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..
I myself will opt for the newer model if I can wait that long:o
It would be interesting to know what items/functions have been modified

Peter

BTW
Any suggestions as to what needs changing from a users point of veiw?:)

We've already done this one to death, check here:

http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...&highlight=392

True Gumby true,
and it looks like somebody may have taken note and done something

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Geoff,
Thanks for the quick reply, are the ML-392M's going to be a similar price range?

Peter,
We expect so, or very close to catalogued price. Some new tooling was required for the drive train, but would hope that it comes in close

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we'll see:D
Peter

Despite all the talk of problems with this machine I bought one anyway, because at least people are using so it can't be all bad.

I have a problem with the thicknesser... or rather mine is featured with an automatic thickness adjustment. As the plank passes through at one set thickness, I find after retrieving the board on the other side and going back that it's set itself thicker again.

I've searched around and found references to locking the thicknesser, but no mention of how. Another thread was mentioned people had thicknesser problems and there was a fix involving a 4x2.

I couldn't find the thread, though I'm sure our forum's walking and talking archive of past threads (Gumby :), btw why a pic of beaker and green placticine name, multi-personality?) knows the number off the top of his head.

Intuition tells me that people fixed the problem by jamming a bit of wood under the thicknesser table, but thought I'd better check incase there was something more complicated to it.

Anyway, back to driving the neighbours nuts with thicknessing hard as nails old growth jarrah down by 5mm, about 1/4mm at a time. I wish the feed rate was adjustable, the jointer can do 1/2 - 1mm with no drama; but i can feed the timber at a more comfortable rate.

Cheers,

Alex.

Alex, the 4x2 solution was for initial problems some had getting the feed rollers to lift up as the timber went through. If I remember correctly, it was fixed by using the 4x2 as a lever to loosen the roller and once done, it was fine.

There was some instruction in that forum about re-tensioning the springs to make it a bit easier to lift the roller.

I don't think this is your problem I haven't heard about the automatic bit. That would worry me. The more bells and whistles they put on these things, the more that can go wrong. The model we ahve just has the winding handle and a lever next to it to lock it in position. Perhaps post a pic of yours.

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Originally Posted by Gumby

I don't think this is your problem I haven't heard about the automatic bit. That would worry me. The more bells and whistles they put on these things, the more that can go wrong. The model we ahve just has the winding handle and a lever next to it to lock it in position. Perhaps post a pic of yours.

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So that's what the lever is for? It's marked with a horizontal line, and one arrow above pointing down and one below pointing up. The lever actually rotates, and you can lift it which seems to disengage it from whatever it turns and allows you to rotate it without turning the bolt under it. The rotation in one direction show the horizonal line with just the up arrow under it and the other direction is the line with just the down arrow.

I assumed the symbols mean pressure, and allowed you to adjust the pressure of the feed roller on the timber.

By the way, I have the orange timbecon model... nearly matches the triton orange. Not sure if it makes a difference (maybe timbecon and carbartech have slightly different speced models before they badge them as their own).

Nearly scored a 393 for the price of a 392 when the girls at the counter (xmas sale day) wrote 393 on the parcel pickup docket instead of 392. Silly me was too honest.

I'll look for more levers and post a pic if I don't find anything.

Just got a call back from Timbecon, and that lever is indeed the locking lever. Next time I'll just push, turn and twist anything I find to see what it does. I just tend to be a bit cautious around machinery with fast moving sharp blades.

Ah sorry, I wasn't reading your first post properly. You were being a bit sarcastic with the 'automatic' bit. I didn't pick that up.
:rolleyes: :D

It sounds like you're like a lot of us in here, never read the instruction manual. Even if you do, you have to decifer the Chinglish.

Anyway, I'm glad it's sorted. Happy planing. ;)

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Originally Posted by liff

nearly matches the triton orange. Not sure if it makes a difference

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Yeah it does, It's farging ugly...:p

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Originally Posted by Gumby

It sounds like you're like a lot of us in here, never read the instruction manual. Even if you do, you have to decifer the Chinglish.

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Manual? I thought that was to put bits down on, so that the oily stuff you get on new machinery doesn't mess up my nice timber workbench.

Alex.