how do YOU prepare your wood?

justinmcf said:
now that i use festool, i start off with the ts-55 to create a straight edge, i then clean this edge with a hand plane or electric planer.

I'm curious about the cleaning up step. I can't imagine improving on the ts-55 edge with either a hand or electric plane. In my hands either plane would take away from the straightness and squareness of the track saw cut.
 
ecks79 said:
...
What i've concluded is, if square lumber is what im looking for - concentrate on that jointer/planer sled first... then a thicknesser. And an all-in-one machine sounds like a perfect solution!
...

The beauty of the all-in-one machines is that the jointer is the same width as the planer.  With separate machines, one usually has a narrower jointer than their planner which doesn't make much sense.  There seems to be more and more of these combo machines becoming available.  Guess the manufacturers began to see the logic of having a jointer the same width as a planer...
 
Hey guys,

Since everyone has given me this advice, i have started to look into what it might cost me to get a setup. I have looked at the following 2 models from Jet and wondering if anyone has any advice.

http://toolco.com.au/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=241&cat=Combination+Planer%2FThicknesser

I called a supplier in my area to talk through both the JPT-260 and the JPT-310 - as i thought the JPT-260 would be enough, they suggested this 2.3HP motor may be limiting. I didn't tell him the dimensions or thickness of the timber i was working with, so wondering what king of 'limiting" it might offer?

Also, how would this stack up against this cheaper machine?
http://www.machines4u.com/view/advert/WPT-310-Woodfast-12-inch-Planer-Thicknesser/10084/

Thanks for any advice you may have!
Tony
 
ecks79 said:
Hey guys,

Since everyone has given me this advice, i have started to look into what it might cost me to get a setup. I have looked at the following 2 models from Jet and wondering if anyone has any advice.

http://toolco.com.au/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=241&cat=Combination+Planer%2FThicknesser

I called a supplier in my area to talk through both the JPT-260 and the JPT-310 - as i thought the JPT-260 would be enough, they suggested this 2.3HP motor may be limiting. I didn't tell him the dimensions or thickness of the timber i was working with, so wondering what king of 'limiting" it might offer?

Also, how would this stack up against this cheaper machine?
http://www.machines4u.com/view/advert/WPT-310-Woodfast-12-inch-Planer-Thicknesser/10084/

Thanks for any advice you may have!
Tony

It sounds like your supplier made some assumptions...

Did you give him reason to believe you were working with material of any particular size, like maybe you discussed your typical projects? If not, it would seem appropriate for them to try to figure out what machine would work for your needs rather than point you toward a bigger machine.

Tom
 
Whilst many of Jet's product line is excellent, the jointer/ planer combo is not one of them. It has been generally poorly reviewed.

The in and outfeed tables are too short and many owners have complained that they are not coplanar. The fence is known to have warping issues. There is quite a lot of plastic in the construction and it is very lightweight.

You can do a google search for jet jointer planer review and you will get several good hits.

If you are used to Festool quality you will be sorely disappointed with this product. By the way there was a similar discussion a few months ago on the same topic. The general conclusion of most posters was that you should go with one quality jointer or planer/ thicknesser and wait to get the second item later.

I would suggest you get a benchtop thicknesser and make a planer sled. This will satisfy your needs for now. You can get a jointer later.

Richard.

 
Hey Tom. No, i didn't indicate size or type of work... i guess he was just interested in selling a 310!?

Richard - Thanks for the heads up, ill look into that one a little more... good to know! i had seen 3 reviews, one of which was on youtube and couldn't talk up the product enough... but ill go and do another search as it sounds as thought i may have missed some reviews!

Im not sure if you guys get the Carba-tec brand where you are, but i've been told today that they have just released a new model which ships in the next few months. It's essentially the following model, revised, and includes spiral cutterheads. It will only be a few hundred dollars more.

http://www.carbatec.com.au/carba-tec-10-planer-thicknesser-cabinet-base_c19276

Thanks again for all the advice to date!

T
 
hi ecks.
the carbatec spiral cutter head should not be confused with the byrd shelix spiral cutter head.
they are 2 different heads completely.

i learnt this from the woodworkforums.com in the last few days.

you may find the carbatec suits your needs, but i would definitely save up and pay the extra dollars for the original byrd shelix head.

justin.

 
Thanks for the heads up Justin.

Im just reading the conversation on that site now... what did you end up going with? No one mentions a difference in sound/quality of the two heads? the concept is the same i assume? i'd be interested in hearing more...

I must ask, how do you find the dewalt thicknesser? i was thinking of getting a Jet jointer and the dewalt... what setup are you running with?

So many options to choose from!

T
 
Here is a video of the dewalt 735 in action. It's a good planer- most would consider it to be the best in its category. I have the ridgid- I really like it and have no complaints. Like all tools there is a learning curve, but it is short and not too steep.

http://www.finewoodworking.com/SkillsAndTechniques/SkillsAndTechniquesArticle.aspx?id=29741

Just one note to the video. I do not worry too much about grain direction when planing. Often I cannot determine which way it is flowing so I plane one face in both directions and see which direction gives me the best result. Then I mark the direction on the edge and continue planing to the final dimension.
 
Actually, the 735 has been plagued by massive issues. When it works its great, when it works. Not sure if they have resolved it. There are way to many complaints  for me to even put up a single link. They have several different problems massive snipe, roller and other. Just Google DeWalt 735 issues or problems and there are thousands of posts from 2006-2010.

The Ridgid you have is great I have one, but one day after a couple hours it started sparking and smoking, I over taxed it. That's when I went out and got a 3HP unit. Once I fired up my new unit I realized the box bench top planers I used for so long were toys and for a few pieces at a time.

http://www.google.com/search?q=Issues+with+DeWalt+735&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
 
The first planer I owned was the Dewalt 735, I was swayed by the FineWoodworking reviews of both it and the use of a planer sled. In my opinion this combination is probably adequate for the average hobbiest that doesn't process that much lineal footage. The blades are very high prices and don't last along with the other issues Nick has mentioned. It does produce an excellent cut. You are now looking at combo machines Jointer/Planer, perhaps consider how you are going to be using it, how much wood you are going process and take a look at the Felder/Hammer A3-31. This machine may be out of your price range but it still should be a consideration. As far as I know Felder has good representation in AUS.

John
 
OK,

so i just checked out the Hammer A3-31- WOW!

It is pricey, but it is a far better machine than the ones I've been looking at. i am well impressed, thanks!

T
 
hi ecks.
you are right.

no one did mention the difference in sound quality between the 2 machines.
i can only assume that the carbatec machine that i saw being demoed had the el cheapo version.

however, as i stated on woodworkforums.com, it sounded pretty dam quiet to me.
the dewalt dw 735 has served me well.
i dont like the fact that i cant resharpen the blades.
and it is a noisy bugger!

i am keen to upgrade and get a byrd shelix spiral head cutter with a totally new thicknesser as a carpenter i know wants to buy my dewalt dw 735.
good luck with your hunt and keep us updated on what you end up getting!

justin.
 
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