Axminster TH410 Buying Advice

chris-a · 14 Nov 2016

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the Axminster TH410 thicknesser? There seems to be limited info out there so trying to decide if its a good purchase is quite difficult. I currently use PAR timber so just need to get it down to size but will look to get a surface planer down the line.

I like that you can fit a digital counter, but don't like the absence of micro adjust blade screws/quick change blades etc making blade changes a huge faff. I'll be doing quite a bit of thin fine stock too so if anyone can chime in on quality of cut/whether the rollers leave tracks or not would be great.

Pros;
Wide capacity (i make a lot of trays so this is good)
Quite well powered
Digital counter option
Can process stock as short as 200mm

Cons;
Price, seems to have jumped up recently I think, as has other Axminster stuff
Blade changing
No idea on what the finish is like
I need it ASAP and Axminster delivery times are fairly long

Other option is to just get a Startrite SD31 P/T which seems to be good bang for buck, but again thats a bit of an unknown entity or theres a nice looking Cooksley thicknesser on the bay but I have absolutely no knowledge on that whatsoever.

Or someone could sell me their TH410 2nd hand for cheap

any info is much appreciated, cheers!

marcros · 14 Nov 2016

it would limit your options a bit, but I would look for something with a tersa block on it if you can.

chris-a · 14 Nov 2016

marcros":1k2xaedx said:
it would limit your options a bit, but I would look for something with a tersa block on it if you can.

That would be ideal but unfortunately my budget cant stretch to anything with a tersa block

marcros · 14 Nov 2016

it would stretch to the inca 570, but that sadly wouldnt have the capacity of the TH410, and you may have to wait a while on ebay.

I have had a few bits of axminster trade range, all secondhand and i do rate it highly. Whether it is better or worse than the other brands, I dont know, but it is always one that I would consider when buying.

Make sure you check the power requirements- these things can need 16A and draw a fair amount of current on startup, plus extractor.

MikeJhn · 14 Nov 2016

That particular machine is only 12amps nominal, but is so close to the possible MCB rating supplying it you will need to change it to a "C" type (motor rated) if you have not already, surprising how many workshops I see with a supply run from the house off a 13amp ring main instead of a dedicated consumer unit supplied off the incoming house main at least that way the operator would be protected by their own RCD, I use two pole MCB's as well, these give an over 3mm gap when tripped on both phase and neutral, much safer.

Mike