Hi there,Bear in mind that a spiral cutter block needs that much more power to plane timber as the cutter block is in constant contact with the timber as opposed to a traditional HSS knife cutter block which strikes only as many knives are in the block per revolution and doesn't require so much power whilst being able to take a much larger cut at the same time. Anything that's around and over 2kw really needs to be run off a 16A supply, and any half-decent PT is going to be that much.
I'd personally shelve the spiral cutter idea and just get a machine with a traditional cutter block, the spiral cutter really only has a massive advantage when working extraordinarily hard and non-compliant timbers that the likes of Custard would be using with a small positive of being a bit quieter, they're only a lot quieter than a brushed motor lunchbox thicknesser, when compared with a like for like machine and the ony difference is the block there isn't a **** of a lot in it.
Good machining practice with a traditional cutter block will have much the same results as a spiral, at a fraction of the cost.
I am afraid that I disagree. I changed from a Record Power PT260 to the spiral head Axminster PT. the difference in noise is massive. It makes a huge difference to me as my workshop is close to houses and I no longer have to worry about causing a disturbance. I would also take issue with the hardwood thing. I run mostly softwood and it is so much easier and produces a great finish. No massive build up of gum on the head.
For me, there is no competition with the proviso that you pay a premium and, for most non commercial use, really good results can be obtained from bladed PT’s if noise is not an issue.
John