Multico 6" planer with thicknesser = Too dangerous??

[OldFatBikerBloke]

First post so apologies if I transgress or am in the wrong place etc, etc....

Have wanted a planer/thicknesser for yonks and one finally came up locally - I have little experience but have decided to try my hand at a little woodwork.

Having read up a bit online I decided I wanted an older 'built to last' machine rather than a newer one with plastic cogs. Sadly money IS an issue in my world (my car is 14 years old) so mid to top end machines are a pipe dream....

So I rushed out and bought the Multico, seems to be built like a battleship and has two spare sets of blades in the deal. But now, horror of horrors, I find a post saying the thicknesser attachment was banned years ago for being too dangerous....

The old boy demonstrated the planer and thicknessing functions and, with the obvious need for common sense and to my amateur eye, it worked very well!! He also showed me how it rebates to 12mm, one of the few machines that can apparently!

To compound things further the planer guard is missing... Is there an alternative guard I can safely attach to the machine or can any one give me contact details of a fabricator who can knock one up?

Obviously I have no wish to maim myself or anyone nearby whilst I launch into my new hobby so would be grateful for thoughts, advice and experiences please!!

 

[Limey Lurker]

You seem to be managing OK with your 14 yr old car, which, probably, has NO anti-collision radar, NO traction control, NO pedestrian sensing, and all the other benefits now available, because you have enough common-sense to AVOID DANGER; I'm sure you will be just as careful and sensible with your planer.

 

[scosarg]

It's your decision how you choose to use the machine and how careful you are with it but I wouldn't use a thicknesser of any kind if there was no anti kickback device fitted to it.
I know of some horrific accidents.

 

[Doug B]

Rebating on a planer is generally frowned upon, personally I find it a very handy feature. Most old unaltered machines would fail H&S these days even if it was only breaking time, so unfortunately your options are buy newer or accept old machines could pose dangers to the unwary.

I guess the best advice is if you don't feel safe don't use the machine.

 

[deema]

It's normally possible on most vintage machines to add retrospectively anti kick back fingers. They are just shaped pieces of metal the are suspended on a rod. Often the easiest and cheapest solution is to find a machine that is being scrapped and just remive and fit the fingers. Alternatively you can get a set manufactured By someone with some form of metal cutting machine plasma or laser.

The guard over the planer is simple to get manufactured, or again buy a modern one and fit it. You should also get a guard for behind the fence, again which is very easy to have manufactured.

To rebate you should have shaw guards which form a tunnel to keep your fingers away from the blade. I believe that Sedgwick still make and sell machines that can rebate and their machines come with a set of shaw guards (mine did a few years ago after the legislation changed anyway).

If your not comfortable making the alterations, one of the reputable secondhand machine dealers will be able to do it for you I'm sure.

The Multico machines are really nice solid work horses and with a little work can be made to comply with the latest safety regulations.