Thickness planer or thicknesser and planer ?

[KingAether]

I am just waiting for a friend to come over to help go collect a DW1150 thicknesser planer that i had in mind to throw on the auction site for a good profit but i'm not sure if i'm better off keeping it and selling what i already have. Both have there pros and cons so im curious for opinions.

I currently have a triton thicknesser and an old 6" cast iron benchtop planer,i think its 1hp
As mentioned i could trade them both out for a single unit DW1150- planer capacity 10" 2hp motor but of course it is a single unit which i know comes with drawbacks when changing between uses etc.

thanks for any advice

 

[Bingy man]

Don’t know if it’s any use to you but I faced this dilemma a while back -not enough room in my small workshop for a combined p/ t and the portable combined machines had poor reviews and several mentioned the ball aches of changing from one mode to another ( removing tables etc. my choice in the end was a makita 110v nb2012 . It had excellent reviews and although all portable p/t seem to suffer with snipe in some way this model came up trumps multiple times and won’t disappoint. The finish it leaves is ready for sanding and its pretty quiet too. I recently sent some old fence posts 140 x 90 mm x 1200 mm with no issues.

 

[KingAether]

Thanks for the response, its definitely food for thought.
I just got home with the DW1150 and i'm still unsure what ill do. It came with the original manual, spec sheet and Dewalt/elu marketing packet which was a nice touch.
It definitely is an upgrade in size and motor horses without taking much anymore room than the two separate machines do but the cutter block looks about half the diameter of the small planer and though its mostly cast iron and fairy rigid the tables are tinny feeling compared to the cast iron table on the mini bench planer- of course on the other end of that the triton thicknesser has crappy feed tables by comparison.
Supposedly the tables on the DW1150 lift on hinges when changing to the thicknesser to help keep it aligned and level when changing back but the accuracy of that statement is to be seen.

I guess i will just have to pull them all out into the sun, set them up and give it a side by side to really decide but any opinions are still appreciated.
On one hand the triton, as loved as they seem to be and as great as it works, is still low-end and while the cast iron planer is a tiny beast and the cutter block on it is huge, its still only tiny 6" yet still needs a waist height enclosed box for the motor and belt.
The DW1150 has a larger capacity, more powerful motor and is likely more rigid than the triton but comes with the drawback of combi machines, it will take a bit more room because the motor is side mounted and has the thin looking cutter block but It still comes on an open stand so but i can store under it.

Of course, i could sell all three and clear some room to buy something serious that would sit upside my AGS- a 400kg Cooksey 12x9 in new looking condition went for £500 locally yesterday- but i really don't need something that size...I'm not actually sure i'd get it in the shed door if i tried.

 

[Bingy man]

Nothing like a direct head to head with what you have already-maybe do a pro,s and cons list for each model you have . Consider the finish, ease of use , noise, and capacity for each one and award points for each category to help you decide. It is at least nice to have some choices already at your door .. You may also want to consider parts availability and cost of replacement knives ..

 

[Bingy man]

Ps sorry I’m not too familiar with the models you’ve mentioned hence the makita recommendation but the only other model to come close was the metabo range .in the end I went with the finish of the makita, the noise level and the fact it’s portable and a decent motor size . Either way good luck with your choice .

 

[Sheptonphil]

I too run the 2012NB, the 240v version after selling a combined unit that was just too much faff to change over from one to the other. It also took up far too much room. The 2012 lives under the benc and just gets put on top when used. Rarely get snipe, it’s powerful and accurate adjustments mean I can make 6mm x 3mm beading for picture frames I make for family like these.

 

[Bingy man]

I too run the 2012NB, the 240v version after selling a combined unit that was just too much faff to change over from one to the other. It also took up far too much room. The 2012 lives under the benc and just gets put on top when used. Rarely get snipe, it’s powerful and accurate adjustments mean I can make 6mm x 3mm beading for picture frames I make for family like these.
View attachment 132111View attachment 132112View attachment 132113

Been out in the garden with mine today ,cleaning up some old fencing to make some planters for the garden-been getting a bit of tear out but recon the timber is still a bit damp- wasn’t aware you could go as low as 6 mm let alone 3mm -good to know.