Advice on Planer / Thicknesser

[NOTTNICK]

I'm thinking of buying one:
Notice Axminster hobby model AWEPT106 looks OK - I think it is similar to Metabo & Record (although it comes with smart stand). Is their follow up service better? Is it worth the price margin?
Also see there's a Draper model: 36312 at a similar price.
Does anyone have an opinion about these? Are there other suggestions at a similar price?

Would I always regret not spending the extra £300 and getting the Axminster AW106PT2 ? It's a lot heavier.

I won't be using it extensively, but I like to have good tools and spend my money wisely.

Any other advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Nick

 

[PeteG]

Hello Nick

I have the Record PT260 and CX2000 Chip Extractor, here's the link from last year if you fancy a read https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/record-power-pt260-cx2000-chip-extractor-t84204.html
With any P/T you're best advised to buy a chip extractor, you'll be surprised how much waste there is when you've been cleaning up rough sawn timber for an hour or two. Besides helping to keep the floor a
bit cleaner a build of chips can effect the quality of finish to the planed surface.
I've mentioned in other posts that I think the Record P/T is brilliant, I don't use it every day but it does get used weekly, it's accurate and always a pleasure to use. I can't really comment on the Axminster AW106PT2 as the one I bought didn't work and went for a refund, but there are quite a few members who have them and are perfectly happy. The fence on the Axminster is cast iron and quite heavy, it's worth bearing this in mind if you have any medical issues. I actually found the fence on the Record easier to set square than I did on the Axminster, in the short time I had to play with it. I believe the fence on the Record
is the same design as the one on the Axminster Hobby AWEPT106. Note sure if this worth mentioning but the base on the AW106PTS is the same as the AW168PT, for floor bolting.

I haven't had to deal with Record's customer services as I've not had any problems with the P/T or Record bandsaw, but they do give a five year warranty on their machines.

Personally, and based on my experience with the Record PT106, I'd have no problem buying this machine again and spending the £300.00 difference on a chip extractor, you could even move up to a dust/chip extractor, and also buy a planer blade setting jig.

Hope this helps