Planer Thicknesser Recommendations

[phil p]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a decent Planer/Thicknesser.

I'm only the average DIY person so I don't want to pay mega bucks, maybe in the region of £200 - £300 tops, as most of the time it will probobly be doing nowt in the garage.

Ive been looking at the Jet 8x8 for £200 and theres also a Charnwood going for about the £160 mark.

Has anyone got these machines and if so are they any good?, however any suggestions would be great.


Cheers

 

[harryc]

Hi Phil I started a similar thread before Christmas and ended up buying the Jet 12" thicknesser.
As a occasional weekend warrior I have no complaints about the Jet.

What ever thicknesser you buy don't forget to get a decent extractor and ear plugs :lol:

Harry

 

[momo]

Don't know about them, but I am hopefully getting the Perform CC10T 250mm Thicknesser from axminster if I can get there, I don't like buying dual purpose items unless I have no choice, i don't like the idea of one breaking and losing the other functions, thats just me though.

 

[wizer]

Phil are you after a Planer/Thicknesser OR just a Thicknesser?

 

[phil p]

Hi Wizer,

pretty open minded however I was thinking that a combined would take up less space?.

Phil

 

[wizer]

It's just you mentioned the Jet for £200 which I assume you mean this:



That's just a thicknesser, you can't (easily) joint boards with it.

 

[phil p]

Hi Wizer,

sorry, me with my stupid head on, it was actually a Fox 8x8 not a Jet.

It's on the Rutlands websire for £200 and has a few decent reviews on it.


Phil

 

[frugal]

That's just a thicknesser, you can't (easily) joint boards with it.

Is it safe to create some kind of jig that holds the wood at 90 degrees to the table in order to joint one edge? Or would that mean that there was so little wood in contact with the rollers that it would not feed through?

I was thinking of two elongated L-shaped pieces, one for each side of the wood that can be clamped at the ends.

 

[Digit]

It can be made to work witha solid board and a batten, you then clamp your piece to be edged to the batten. Screws work better than clamps as there is not much room for them. Small cuts and pushing may be the order of the day though and waxing the underside of the board helps.

Roy.

 

[ByronBlack]

It'd be easier and safer to edge-joint with either a router-table or a hand plane if the board is quite long, the beds on those thicknessers aren't very long and the machines themselves not particularly heavy.

You would also either have to make a jig or again use a hand plane to take any cup or warp out prior to thicknessesing, assuming you are using rough sawn and not planed boards.

 

[Digit]

I agree with all the BB has said, and indeed used each method, but if hand planing etc is not your game thin boards can be difficult to keep upright in a thicnesser without some support.

Roy.

 

[frugal]

I agree with all the BB has said, and indeed used each method, but if hand planing etc is not your game thin boards can be difficult to keep upright in a thicnesser without some support.

Roy.

I am just really learning how to hand plane properly. My edges are still a bit wobbly and not necessarily at 90 degrees to the faces

 

[Steve Maskery]

I am just really learning how to hand plane properly. My edges are still a bit wobbly and not necessarily at 90 degrees to the faces

In which case can I put in a plug for David Charlesworth's excellent DVDs on the subject? You'll get better results more quickly than you will on your own. Money very well spent.

Cheers
Steve

 

[ByronBlack]

I am just really learning how to hand plane properly. My edges are still a bit wobbly and not necessarily at 90 degrees to the faces

In which case can I put in a plug for David Charlesworth's excellent DVDs on the subject? You'll get better results more quickly than you will on your own. Money very well spent.

Cheers
Steve

I concur whole heartedly. I'm a proud owner of Mr C's DVD's and I think they are the most important piece of workshop equipment I own - along with a straight edge

 

[andycorleone]

I admire people who planed boards by hand but honesty I don't have the time and patience.

phil: the fast and easiest way to dimension wood with power tools is is with a planner and with a thicknesse or a combo like those:

for £299

http://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/s ... /DRABPT260

or for £530

http://www.axminster.co.uk/src/froogle/ ... 650093.htm

I have the last one honestly I can't do woodworking without it

 

[phil p]

Thanks for the replies lads.

That looks a cracking price for the Draper at £299 compared to other places!

Phil

 

[bob_c]

Woodford sell one almost identical to the Axminster one for £410

 

[andycorleone]

Woodford sell one almost identical to the Axminster one for £410

£492.33 inc Delivery :shock:

 

[bob_c]

I didnt quote delivery as i didnt know it!
£80 delivery is a bit higher than other places for similar sized machines.
The axminster one will be £576 including £45 delivery.