placing my review of the SIP Planer/Thicknesser 1344 model.
SIP Planer/Thicknesser 1344
10" x 6"
I purchased my SIP planer/thicknesser in February 2004 and after 12 months of hobby use I thought the forum would perhaps like to learn of my experience and usage with this machine.
Photographs are attached and as you can see storage for me is not a problem.
Picture one, Storage no problem for me.
Picture two. Positioned ready for use.
Picture three. The grub screws unmentioned in my manual which are the main part of planer setup.
Picture four. The set screws that have failed to hold into the whitemetal guard assembly. Time of photograph taken longer screws have been fitted whilst awaiting replacement fitting of new part supplied.
Firstly I purchased a wheel kit from Axminster Tools (this kit did needed adjustment on my model, some bolt holes had not been aligned properly by the manufacturer) for me this was a great boon, I can easily position the P/T anywhere in my garage/workshop to a suitable position depending on stock to be worked on.
The planer thicknesser arrived in one carton and in my opinion two people are required when unpacking and setting up. It’s heavy and come in separate pieces. The manual which arrived with the equipment was the usual problem (most probably translation) but there was a section which the printers had omitted to print. Not knowing that a portion of the manual was unprinted eventually led me to telephoning the help line at SIP and again led to confusion because SIP were also unaware that I did not have a fully illustrated manual and things obviously did not go easily. I managed to setup the machine but was not particularly happy and I posted a request on this forum about the poor manual supplied. A member directed me to a web site for manuals on this type of equipment and I used another manufacturers manual of a similar appearance and eventually learnt about setting up the planer tables using the grub screws on the outfeed table end which I had no previous knowledge.
SIP acknowledged that there were problems with the manual and said at the time they were arranging a reprint.
Over the past year I have had no problems using the machine and I reckon I have planed and thicknessed around 20 cubic feet of softwood. During that time I used only one edge of the knives (disposable type) and eventually came unstuck working on a piece of timber that somehow had got some grit embedded, this caused a knick on the blades which eventually meant replacement.
I have now come to a guarantee claim situation which I am pleased to say was settled quickly and satisfactorily. The planer guard assembly is constructed of aluminium and white metal and for some reason some screw threads lost their holding capacity. SIP replaced the parts and screws with overnight service.
I would advise users to watch this contraption which involves your hands sliding over the assembly (as most P/T machines have fitted) and takes a bit of knocking about when being used.
My verdict on this machine which cost under £400 with a two year guarantee is that for hobby use it has given satisfactory service and I could recommend to other users at this price.
I have changed the original review the guarantee period should read 2 years