record pt300 vs jet jpt-310

[jorgoz]

Hi,

I'm in the market for a new p/t. My current chaiwanese machine is not up to my high standards. The table of the thicknesser is out of parallel with the cutterhead and i don't feel like starting to get this levelled, and a very crappy fence, and it's a 10inch machine.

I really like the jet jpt-310, but as i've read several times a central column supported thicknessing table tends to have the wood thicker on one side, not level. The jet is a central column machine. Really like the way the table(s) opens though and the fence seems way better too.

The thing i like about the record pt300 is the thicknessing table running on 4 rods, but what i don't like is the fixed infeed table of the surfacer (i could be wrong here), so if you thickness shorter pieces you have to get under the table to access them.

How do the jet and the record compare to one another, anyone with hands on experience ?

 

[Chris Knight]

I am not familiar with either machine but my Scheppach has a fixed infeed table and it is absolutely no problem to get at short pieces.

 

[maltrout512]

Jorgoz Hi, I have had the Record PT 300 since August and the two problems I have had have been very small indeed. 1st the locking handle for the out feed table broke. New one sent within two days. (Flaw in the casting. 2nd was my own mistake were I had adjusted the two rest pins for the out feed table incorrectly. Other than that I think it's a great machine. Price was a helping factor as well. Not seen or used the jet so I can't comment on that machine. I'm sure that someone here has one so you may get a comment on theirs.

 

[Waka]

I have the JPT 310 and have to say I think its an excellent machine, having said that there are some modifications I've made to mine. The one improvement I think has been most beneficial was to get shot of those spring type securing things, I replaced them with knarled scew heads, much quicker to operated.

Also I have to re-adjust my table that went slight out of true after 3 years of use.

All in all a good machine.

 

[wizer]

I have the Jet 260 and have waxed lyrical about it here once or twice. It's a lovely machine in use. I have had some suspicions about the flatness of my tables recently but haven't had a chance to check it for sure. Generally I'd buy Jet first over anything else if budget permitted, I think they are a good reliable company.

 

[Streepips]

I have a Scheppach 260, had it from new and also had a newer Ci version which I was unimpressed with. So thats gone, still using the pre Ci version.
But need a bigger one and the Record 300 looks the part. Well thought out and using lots of design and parts from a more industrial model from a range beginning with "S" also co-owned by Record. Good price as well.

 

[jorgoz]

To add to my dilema, i've spotted a secondhand minimax fs 30 and i really like the tersa cutterhead and the substantial fence but it costs as much as a new jet. Anyone used this machine ?

 

[Jake]

Not used one, but that's a totally different league - (low-end) true industrial. If it is in good shape, it would definitely be the better machine, but it could have had a hard life.

 

[jorgoz]

apparently the minimax fs30 is 5 years old and has been in storage for 3 years, belonged to a hobbyist who made bowls and some other things. The question is, is this story for real or just made up ? Because for making bowls and stuff you don't need a machine like this one, right ?

 

[OPJ]

Andy King reviews the Record machine in the new issue of Good Woodworking, if that helps.

With regards to your old 10" machine, it sounds as though the knives need adjusting so they are parallel to the thicknessing bed...? If there was a jig supplied with the machine, this is usually enough to sort it. A large build up of shavings on the bed can also cause similar problems.

 

[jorgoz]

Well the table of the thicknesser is not parallel to the cutterhead (not the knives) by about 1.5 to 2 mm and that would mean i would have to realign the tables for the jointer too. I can't be bothered with the el cheapo machine. The machine in question, http://www.buitelaar.nl/comasy/templates/product.aspx?contentid=237&productid=1116. It also has excessive snipe and the fence is absolute crap. And i want a wider, and more decent machine anyway. I used to have a robland x310 combi machine, sold it to buy a tablesaw and p/t and now i find that the extra width is a definite bonus.

There's a test of the scheppach 3200ci machine in the new issue of f&c, and the verdict is that they would recommend it to a small woodworking shop anytime. One minor point stated is that the tester can wobble the ends of the fence, but in the middle where the action is taking place there the fence is stable.

Would like to read the test of the record pt300 though, but as i live in Belgium, it's a real issue to get woodworking mags...

 

[OPJ]

Well the table of the thicknesser is not parallel to the cutterhead (not the knives) by about 1.5 to 2 mm and that would mean i would have to realign the tables for the jointer too. I can't be bothered with the el cheapo machine. The machine in question, http://www.buitelaar.nl/comasy/templates/product.aspx?contentid=237&productid=1116. It also has excessive snipe and the fence is absolute crap. And i want a wider, and more decent machine anyway. I used to have a robland x310 combi machine, sold it to buy a tablesaw and p/t and now i find that the extra width is a definite bonus.

Just as I suspected - your machine looks identical to the one I have from Axminster! I've always assumed the 'problem' with the thicknesser was down to the knives being out - you could be right about the cutter block. I've never checked mine and I wouldn't consider it to be too much of a problem, personally, although yours does sound rather excessive!

If you get snipe when surface planing, you should be able to fix this by simply raising the outfeed table (you'll need to unlock it first). If the sniping's on the thicknesser then you should be able to raise the support rollers at either end to compensate.

Speaking from experience though, adjusting the surfacing tables is a real PITA - you're right there! :? I'm happy with the aluminium fence, even though Axminster now include a cast iron one as standard.

I'm happy with my machine and I think it's solid and reliable at the price. If you can afford to go for something bigger then, I would strongly recommend it! :wink:

Would like to read the test of the record pt300 though, but as i live in Belgium, it's a real issue to get woodworking mags...

Andy is a member here (search "andy king"). You could always send him a private message to hear the pro's and con's.

 

[jorgoz]

Went and had a look at a secondhand minimax fs-30 this week. Didn't buy it, needed a bit of service, resetting the tables and really decent scrub, standard accesories missing.

After that i went to Axminster Sittingbourne and nearly bought the jet jpt-310, but my card didn't work at the shop. Apparently Brittain doesn't belong to the European banking system :roll: or there is something behind the screens protecting me :wink:

Told them i'd come back for it next week and want as much info i can gather before i commit to buy.

Mailed Jet US with some questions about the jjp-12, known as the jpt-310. Next day i got a mail from the sales rep for Jet Europe and he warned me not to buy a UK machine as this might cause problems over here (Belgium) and go for a Belgian machine. He mentioned something about a different fuse system. Problem for me is, the machine would come at an extremely important price rise, say 40% and up. Which i really don't fancy.

Now i'm a complete ***** in electricity, but i'm getting the feeling it's not his strong point either. I mailed Makita a while back, pretending to be a Brit who recently bought :wink: one of the MB2012 bench top thicknesser who wants to move to Belgium (would any Brit want to :lol: ) and they told me it wasn't any problem at all. Do the laws of electricity change for Jet machines or something ?

On another note, i filled out the form on the record power site, with a mention about the pt300, and a couple of hours later my mobile rang, and it was a record power rep. He told me about a what a good deal he could do me and didn't mention electric problems either. Now that's what i call follow up.

But credit where credit's due, Jet are on the ball very quickly to though.

 

[ivan]

UK voltage is "harmonised" with EU so stuff from anywhere can be used anywhere. Power station voltages are not constant - they drop during ads when a billion 3Kw kettles go on - quoted volts are something like +/- 10%, and our 230V is at the top end of the EU voltage "band".

I'd buy another Jet (mine's a 310) but it's not perfect. The dual tilt tables (like a Felder) are handy, and with Felder instructions (Jets are u/s) quite easy to adjust when needed (including the thicknesser centre column) The outfeed table adjusts too. IMHO you need to cost in a long engineers' straight edge and a dial gauge for any P/T. The fence is sturdy and rigid, but the 90 deg needs rechecking with a square after you've moved the fence (not quite "industrial" design!) Well constructed. No pressure bars either side of cutterblock like the Felder (but compare the price) but cuts awkward grain if you take a smaller cut. P/T sets accurately to 0.1mm if you get the digital gubbins. With a bit of metalwork accepts Felder table extensions, much nicer than a roller stand.

 

[mrwilby]

Problem for me is, the machine would come at an extremely important price rise, say 40% and up. Which i really don't fancy.

Same for me in Finland. The pricing of the Finnish importer for JET tools is bonkers.

 

[jorgoz]

Same for me in Finland. The pricing of the Finnish importer for JET tools is bonkers.

Bonkers is the good word

And i was even optimistic, it's more like 50%. I don't mind people making some money, but things have to stay reasonable, that's one of the main reasons i think economy is slowing down, exagerated profit margins

 

[mrwilby]

I agree. I will pay "something" more for local Finnish warranty, and of course, the VAT is higher here (quite a lot higher now what with the UK drop to 15%) but still, we're talking 1750 euros for the jet 250 super saw, which I think is around 1550 GBP, excluding delivery. I can only imagine the mark up you are dealing with....

In terms of the JET super saw, I can import one from the UK for less than that!

For me, whilst the JET is lovely, I will probably go with the Lyndhurst T30, which comes delivered for significantly less and seems reasonably quality from what I can tell from their pages.

Have you tried axminster's export email and see if they can deliver to you and at what cost? They might work out cheaper than buying local? I know you said they wouldn't take your card whilst you were there, but it might be easier to send payment now you're back home? Mind you, their shipping costs were also pretty pricey last time I went down this route...

 

[jorgoz]

Well i've got some great news. Yesterday i took the ferry and brought a Jet JPT-310 to it's intended home

Monday i called for a price in Belgium, and it went for about 2150 euros. I paid 1040 £ for it. 't was the showroom model, and got myself some extra knives. And seeing the exchange rated is really good, i'm quite content. I did some driving and crossed the channel for it, but for a saving of about 1000 euros, expenses included, i'll gladly do the transporters and importers job :wink:

Just read on another thread someone got a 3 month old one for 575£. Now that got me spirits down a little :shock:

It is strange though. The machines sold in the UK come from Jet's warehouse in Germany. So they travel from Germany to the UK, passing through Belgium is suppose and still they're enormesly cheaper. How does this work ? And as for the plug, it's a european plug on the machine for starters, and the UK user get an adaptor for it. So The sales rep for Jet Europe tried to sell me some baloney about the electrics, shame on him :roll: