Planer/Jointer Combo Axminster AT260PT/AT107PT???

[saands]

Hello everyone,

I have been getting wonderful information from you at the forum and I hope I can gain your input on a decision.

I have a very small woodworking shop (1 car garage - about 10ft by 20ft). I am looking into purchasing a planer/jointer combo and have been looking at the Axminster Trade AT260PT/AT107PT Planer Thicknesser.

1. Has anyone had one of these? If you do, what is your opinion about it?
2. I live in the U.S. and I am wondering what it might cost to have something this size shipped to the US (New England). I am also wondering about customs duties?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
saands

 

[lwoirhaye]

That's a 10" wide machine.  I have owned 5 different jointer/planer combos and it seems to me that you get what you pay for with them.  I got all mine used.  I still have two - a little KITY 6" portable machine and a 16" Knapp. 

If you're looking for economy I'd say get a used 6" or 8" jointer and a benchtop planer while you keep your eye out for a used combo.  The INCA 10" machines with the 42" tables are nice machines if you can find one for sale where the seller isn't fetishizing it as a collectible.

Most woodworkers with room for separate machines I'd advise to skip the combo.  That said, with some of them you get a very nice  jointer. 

I think bringing a single machine overseas may not make sense financially, and if you haven't examined the machine yourself it can be hard to tell what kind of quality you'll be getting.  Some collectors do ship machines from Europe to the usa,  but that's usually Rolls Royce type stuff like Wadkin.

Getting any kind of warranty service or support from a seller without an office in the usa may be a pain, if that's a reason you are looking at a new machine.

 

[rljatl]

[member=41421]Peter Parfitt[/member]

Peter might know something about these.

 

[saands]

Thank you so much for your input. Given your feedback and what I've heard from others I've talked to, I think I am going to try to squeeze an individual planer and a jointer into my shop.

Again, thanks,
saands