Best buy on budget planer-thicknessers?

[Brit-in-France]

Dear all,
Newby living in France where timber can be 3 x UK price! (This applies to both treated (the majority) and non treated.(Except Oak - much cheaper than UK, but still pricy.)
Have resorted to raiding the woodbin at the local recycling centre and bought assorted timber when people have had a clearout of their barns.

I'm retired and on a budget - can I get a decent Planer-Thicknesser for about 300quid or do I have to go to 500 plus?. (Shame I couldn't trade wine (very drinkable) at 6quid for 5 litres)

Would appreciate your views

 

[joiner_sim]

I'm not sure of the quality of these, but here's a few on your budget:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/p...m-planer-thicknesser/path/planer-thicknessers

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/planer-thicknesser/path/planer-thicknessers

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/p...m-planer-thicknesser/path/planer-thicknessers

But as the age old rule always is, buy the best you can afford! I would be more tempted to look at something like this:

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-AWEPT106-Planer-Thicknesser-580438.htm

However, I still cannot vouch for how good it is.


:arrow: :idea: If you want to push the boat out, how about saving up for this:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Rojek-CPF23-5-BASE-Five-Headed-Planer-497181.htm :lol:

 

[Night Train]

Also look at second hand ones form old wood shops. They tend to be much better quality.

I bought an old cast iron planer with a 12" x 60" bed for pennies as it was 'old' and 3 phase. I removed the 3 phase motor and replace it with an equivelent single phase motor.

 

[joiner_sim]

As much as I'll agree that second hand machines are much cheaper, and yes some bargains can be found, I won't be buying a second hand machine again, as my bandsaw I brought off ebay has never run right because of a fault it's had since I got it. Unless you're prepared to repair it, then buy new.