planer thicknesser power

[marcros]

I am looking at a used planer thicknesser. It is a 10" 2 cutter head model and the output wattage of the motor is 900W. This does not seem a lot to me- is it enough for general use?

I am looking at swapping the cutter head out for a helical one but if the motor also needs replacing, it isnt worth it as a project.

 

[RogerS]

Personally I wouldn't have thought that 900w was anywhere near enough for a 10". See my other post re Sedgwick on the other thread.

 

[marcros]

It didn't seem a lot to me.

 

[deema]

Probably the practical solution to the query would be to look for a second hand well known brand. If your not sure of using a P/T I would stick to one that was built post 1970 and is not a manufactures conversion from a belt line driven older model. These are normally characterised by having a shaft straight out from the cutter head, a pulley mounted on the end and then driven by a motor externally.

The most prestigious models are probably the Wadkin and Robinson machines. However they normally com and very high prices. I am personally a great fan of the Sedgwick machines, simple built extremely well, last a life time and relatively cheap secondhand. The other good thing is you can get spares although they are pricey.

You will be sure to get a machine with the necessary grunt to do a good job with any of the 'traditional brands'

I am being controversial for many, in my opinion I could never recommend a machine where the planer tables lift up. The infeed and outfeed tables must perfectly align. The outfeed table should be circa 5 thou lower than the top of the blade. These tolerances and lifting tables in my humble opinion simply don't work. I am biased, I had a really bad buy with a very well known brand of modern machine. It ended in court!! But I got my money back!!!

 

[RogerS]

.... I am biased, I had a really bad buy with a very well known brand of modern machine. It ended in court!! But I got my money back!!!

Were you hammered?

 

[marcros]

I suspect that I will end up with the Sedgwick. I have been looking at incas which seem to be highly regarded, particularly if it is the model with the tersa blades. These have a similar change of mode, I believe. They seem popular in the USA, and with the luthier community (who need accurate machinery beyond the needs of most woodworkers).

As for wadkin, although there are a few 6" models around, the majority seem to be much to big for my needs and power supply. Robinson, and the like are also huge great 20" models. I only really want/need 10" or 12" but am happy to consider any of these brands.

In fairness I am only having a speculative look. I had my eye on the Sedgwick beforehand, I just quite fancy the cutter head with the inserts on and thought a project may be the way to get it.

I have a lunchbox thicknesser and an axi 6" planer, both of which are great. I could just use a wider planer, which probably wouldn't take up much less room that a combined p/t. But it must be convenient to change modes.

 

[carlb40]

Not sure what your budget is? But have you considered the Jet P/T - 1 handle to lift / lower both beds complete with fence in seconds. No faffing taking the fence on/ off to lift beds etc.

 

[marcros]

I don't really have a budget at the moment. I would think that I should get 450 or so for my kit, perhaps a little more. I don't mind putting a bit towards it as long as it is going to be a machine that I won't need to upgrade. I would prefer to go secondhand because it avoids the depreciation on new kit, however as I said I do plan to keep it for the long term so it isn't essential.

I would rather spend a grand on the right machine and save towards it, than buy something immediately for half or a third of that and it not be the right machine. I am expecting to be looking properly in oct/nov rather than right now- I need to sell my kit first for starters to gain the space for its replacement.