Planer/Thicknesser recommendations

[keithkarl2007]

Hi guys. As above I'm looking for some advice on purchasing a p/t. The only problem I have is that I don't have a 16 amp supply in my small workshop. I have a feeling I'll have to do something to get the proper supply into the workshop.

 

[marcros]

you should have a reasonable choice still on a 13a supply.

what capacity are you looking to thickness?

 

[keithkarl2007]

Probably up to 12" wide by whatever thickness available. A friend 4 miles away has a big SCM p/t and prepares some timber for me but I hate being a nuisance and taking up his time

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

My Startrite SD300 takes 12" boards...bullet proof. 16amp supply stated but I run it off a 13A supply and its yet to pop the breaker.

 

[SammyQ]

Dewalt 733 thicknesser. Takes very little space, is built sturdily, but leaves a gleaming finish. Blades are about £50 a set of two and I rotate my three sets, costs £12 a sharpen, once every 6-8 months. I find I don't need a planer when I intelligently combine saw and 733. The odd bit of planing to make a fit, I use a T5, No5½ or Bedrock 606 plane for edges, Well honed No4, Stanley block (60½? low angle) or similar for surfaces. A No 80 scraper is very useful, but a slight bear to get used to.

Sam

P.S. 733's operating noise scares Boeing 747's......wear ear defenders. That's the only drawback.

 

[graduate_owner]

My Axminster 10 x 6 runs off a 13A supply. It has a 2HP motor, so that's not surprising. However I see the current price is 4p short of £1000. When I bought mine about 7 years ago it was on special offer at under £500, albeit with a n alloy fence. I don't know how it compares with other machines suggested here though.

K

 

[ian_in_the_midlands]

I had a pt260 planer thicknesser and was very disappointed with it.
Sold it and bought separates: Axminster PT106 planer and Makita 2012NB thicknesser.
Despite the planer only having the 6" capacity, I have not regretted the change for one minute.
Far easier to set up, and far easier to get straight boards out of.
Probably takes up less room at the planer is thinner and the thicknesser can be stored under a workbench.

 

[Jmac80]

I was going to get a pt260 but held of due to reviews saying it's a right faff to change between planer and thicknesser modes and then resetting up the fence for planer.
I may just get something like the dewalt 733 thicknesser and keep my eye out for a cheap planer.
Dewalt seem to have a fairly good range in the usa.. 733/734/735 where we only get the old 733, The 735 with it's 3 blades looks real nice too
I think i'd get cheesed of fairly quickly setting up between the 2 where if i had separate machines it would make life a lot easier (i think) lol

 

[ian_in_the_midlands]

I found the problem not to be the faff, but alignment between the planning tables and the thicknessing table. The top also has a small bow that didn't help. I ended up trying to re-adjust the thicknessing table for level, and shimming the infeed table one end. The fence was also poor.

 

[RogerP]

I've had the SIP version PT260 for a number of years. I don't find it too much trouble changing modes. It works very well and, having a powerful induction motor, it's nowhere near as noisy as those brush motored thicknessers.

 

[dzj]

A 12" blade needs 3 hp to run properly. Whether it will tax your circuit with more than 13A, depends on the efficiency of the motor.
With a single phase motor of newer design you might get away with it.
A 3 phase motor would be better, as it doesn't exceed 10A (240V).

 

[graduate_owner]

I can't say it is a great nuisance to change from planer to thicknesses mode, but then I don't use it a great deal . I had big plans for my workshop but they have yet to be achieved. It takes just a couple of minutes to wind down the thicknesser table (so the dust extraction outlet can be swivelled around), the fence removed, and then the infeed and outfeed tables
can be swivelled aside.
Overall I don't think it is worth the current asking price though.

K

 

[SammyQ]

Okay KK, 'fess up! What did you drop your coin on? :?:

Sam

 

[keithkarl2007]

Haven't yet. My neighbour fixes woodworking machines and was keeping an eye out for an SCM p/t for me. He is now a rep and sells for SCM so I'm thinking of getting the FS30 Classic

 

[SammyQ]

Sounds like a plan; enjoy!!
Sam