Planer thicknesser Newbie advice req'd

[Markymark]

Hi All

New to woodworking advanced machinery and I have at last built myself a garage which I am kitting out with some home woodworking essentials. I am after a Planer thicknesser combo unit. I have read the scary thread on the Axminster AW106PT and sadly I do not have the calibration tools or patience to re calibrate this unit. I am looking for a similar product as the price is right . I will need to move it around and I am a big beliver in buying a decent product first time around as it will pay off in the future. Can anyone recommend a Planer/Thicknesser combo that will not need much fettling from new. As I am new to woodworking I would be very pleased to recieve any advice on Table size and width. I do not have three phase and only have an array of 13amp sockets in the garage.

Any advice greatly recieved.

Kind Regards

Mark

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi Mark

Welcome to the forum. Glad to have you onboard.

I'm sorry but at the price point you mentioned, I am not able to suggest anything. However, if you were to increase your spend I would recommend having a look at the Jet and the Scheppach.

Correction to the above. If I was you I'd jump in my car to Hereford and snap up the DW Planer Thicknesser. It is almost brand new and is only for sale due to tragic circumstances. It is an absolute bargain.

Cheers
Neil

 

[Markymark]

Hi

Could I re-word the above question. Can anyone recommend a planer thicknesser combination unit for a Beginner? As before I would rather buy a decent one initially as I cant see the point in having to buy another cheaper one in the near future.

Thanks again

I will look at Jet and Scheppach, any models in specific ?

Regards

Mark

 

[ike]

Hi Mark,

Kity?
Scheppach
Fox/clones et al

The Scheppach HMS260 is pretty much a benchmark for quality for home/hobby use. It's been around for many years and although relatively pricey, it does now have cast iron tables. That's not to say anything less expensive is more trouble than it's worth.

Do Kity still sell their little PT? That is supposed to be quite good. I was impressed with the build quality of the Bestcombi 2000, which pretty much has same mechanicals as the 3 separate machines.

Scheppach kit seems to pop up on Ebay fairly regularly. A good bet you could get a nice machine on a smaller budget.

cheers,

Ike

 

[Markymark]

Thanks.

I will Look on ebay £750 seems to be about the average price for one.

Thanks for the advice.

Regards

Mark

 

[Markymark]

Hi Mark,

Kity?
Scheppach
Fox/clones et al

Ike

Plenty of kity machines for sale on ebay at Mo. Can anyone recommend a good model? Guide price ?

Regards

M

 

[Markymark]

Can anyone tell me if Electra Beckum P/T's are good?

Mark

 

[mailee]

I used to have an Elektra Beckum P/T and it was fine. If there was any gripe about it I would have to say it was the rise and fall handle of the table as it protrudes alongside and above the table, (a little fiddly to use) I had mine for a number of years and got good results with it. I had to sell it in the end but not due to any problem with it. I now have an Elu and think this one is even better. :wink:

 

[colinc]

I have the Scheppach - the older pre cast iron top version. I've never regretted it for a minute. It was and still is my most expensive workshop buy ever but it's been great value for the money.

The Scheppach uses rubber rollers which I feel are advantageous when taking fine cuts, but then again I've never owned anything else.

Colin

 

[mailee]

Yes Colin I agree that the Sheppach is the dogs danglies too. unfortunately my budget woudn't run to this and I do like the rubber rollers. My Elu also has rubber rollers and it makes a difference, I always found that the Elecktra left a slight inprint from the steel rolles on softwood. Not a real problem as I sand most things anyway but the finish with the Elu is much better.

 

[Pecker]

Eletrobeckums are now badged Metabo after a corperate re-jig of brands. I recently bought the Hc260 and am well pleased with it. Gives nice finishes an both hard and soft timbers. There is some query if the blade size has now been made slightly smaller, but thats the only difference. The only minor niggle is if you have to disconnect the extractor hood, make sure you keep hold of the nut and washer.
Otherwise very happy with it. They can be got for about £480 off ebay with a 3 year manufacturers warrenty.

Note, some other makes give long warrenty, but Metabo allow that for trade use - some others don't which to me speaks volumes!

Mark

 

[Markymark]

I now have an Elu and think this one is even better. :wink:

What Model ELU? That is if there is more than one. I too like the sound of rubber rollers. No funny remarks please!!

Mark

 

[Nick W]

Don't forget Hammer!

 

[Markymark]

I have the Scheppach - the older pre cast iron top version. I've never regretted it for a minute.
Colin

Colin

I found a website that advertises the non ci model for about £674 inc vat.

http://diytools.com/product/255.htm

Is this the older model?

Regards

Mark

 

[user 2070]

Mark,

I found a website that advertises the non ci model for about £674 inc vat.

http://diytools.com/product/255.htm

Is this the older model?

The picture looks VERY like the HMS260 model (steel tables), but the colour of the plastic covers was usually blue rather than brown. This might be just a dodgy .jpg image or it might mean something else.

For some reason the HMS260 came with a detachable (optional extra) base - shown attached in the photo. Unless you are VERY short it is advisable to have this, but get it included in the price/deal preferably!

I think that there have been three Scheppach models in this width during the last five years:
HMS260 (steel tables, one of which lifts off for thicknessing)
HMS260ci (cast iron table changes)
HMS2600ci - increased thicknessing capacity 210mm compared with previous 140mm
(It might be worth having 210mm because 140mm is perhaps a little on the low side sometimes).

I have had very good service from my HMS260 over the last five years, and would recommend it - but I might also be tempted by the later model (HMS2600ci) if I was buying a new one ;-)

Two small points:
1 Scheppach specified a 16Amp supply for the HMS 260, so it is possible that you will overload your 13Amp supply. NMA Agencies (UK Scheppach agent) might advise you on this, I have always found them very helpful when telephoned.

2 Planing and thicknessing generates huge quantities of wood chips which need to be cleared away. You might want to "factor-in" a decent (large) chip collector (with a fine filter).

Simon

 

[mailee]

I now have an Elu and think this one is even better. :wink:

What Model ELU? That is if there is more than one. I too like the sound of rubber rollers. No funny remarks please!!

Mark

Hi Mark, my present one the Elu is the 1161 model, no longer available of course but the spares still are thank god. I do not know if any of the other makes on the market have rubber rollers apart from the Sheppach and I too like this design. If I have a gripe about the Elu it is the dust chute which is cr*p I made my own in the end. I got this one off e-bay for £270 with a spare set of blades, well looked after. Hope this helps. oh and one more thing De Walt did a copy of this machine although I can't comment on it as I haven't used one. Hope this is of some help. :wink: Almost forgot, I agree you should budget on a dust /chip extractor for a P/T as they produce VAST quantities of chips and if not removed can be pressed into the timber being thicknessed.

 

[Markymark]

Thanks.

after reading a few more posts on this site I chose to go down the EB HC260C (Metabo) route. It seems affordable and not too many complaints. I have unboxed it and set it up. It was interesting that there was one item left in the bag. I discovered it was the blade setting tool. I went for the alternative and as the manual says the better route of putting a alu ruler on the out table and setting the blades so they move the rule 4-6mm.

What i noticed was even at different feed rates the planed side is slightly rippled (not evenly). Is this normal or is it user error?

Mark

 

[Pecker]

Mark, I have noticed occasional rippling but nothing of any note, indeed last week putting Oak thru it the planks came out superb. I'm curious, how did you adjust the feed speed? I'm sure mine is just set at a set rate?

Oh, one thing I have noticed is a bit of silicon spray over the beds works wonders when thicknessing.

On a slightly different note, if you need new blades for it, give Sarah a shout at Method Tools. They are about £12.50 a pair inc postage.

Regards
mark

 

[Markymark]

I'm curious, how did you adjust the feed speed? I'm sure mine is just set at a set rate?

Regards
mark

Sorry, I meant when using it in planer mode. I vary the feed speed. haven't noticed any problems with the thicknesser yet.

I did notice that if i make one pass over the planer it is slightly rippled. If I then pass it over 2 more times it seems to eradicate the problem.

Cheers

Mark

 

[mailee]

Ah yes, it is just you probably feeding it too quick. You will get used to which speed is best. It is just like using a router and learning at what speed to feed the cutter into it for best results. you will often find that just one pass isn't enough either depending on the wood used of course. Make sure when you do feed the wood through you place the weight of your hands/push blocks on the outfeed table as soon as is possible as this will maintain a flat finish. Remember to plane one face and one edge first making them square mark them and then place these faces and edges onto the thicknesser table to thickness from the other side as this will then ensure your wood is perfectly flat and square. I may be trying to tell my mother to suck eggs and I appologise if I am but am not sure how much experience you have Mark. hope this is of help to you and good luck with your new toy, oh sorry tool.