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JB
Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 7746
Location: 91° N
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 Posted: Fri Nov 30, 12 11:46 am Post subject: Hand planer or bench planer thicknesser |
 
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Having burnt out my axminster cheapie planer I'm looking for a replacement.
Most of what I use if for was for rough thicknessing so I was thinking about getting a planer / thicknesser instead. The question is, are they worth it or is just another bit of kit to stub toes on in the workshop? |
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RichardW
Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8427
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales
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| Posted: Fri Nov 30, 12 5:17 pm Post subject: |
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I use mine lots but still use a hand held one as well. |
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mousjoos
Joined: 05 Jun 2006
Posts: 1977
Location: VERY Sunny SW France
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| Posted: Sat Dec 01, 12 8:50 am Post subject: |
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I bought a 10 x 6 Elektra Beckum from Axminster about 12 years ago;it was just before the model was superceded (sp) by another, & thus was reduced in price. I bought it for the business I had at the time; used it every day, more or less, & have only replaced the knives & the pulley.......to me at least that seems like excellent value for money.
EB are now something more obscure like a part of Ryobi, & recently when trying to order parts here (arse-end of SW France), it was quicker to ask Axminster to send them (& cheaper) than local suppliers.
I still have the machine, & for a machine this size, it's very robust & has earned me (or allowed me to earn) a lot of money.....
I hope this helps |
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reebok
Joined: 06 Mar 2011
Posts: 17
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| Posted: Mon Dec 03, 12 8:31 pm Post subject: |
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If you are serious about quality woodworking, a good planer/thicknesser will take you to a new, higher level and make you very happy. |
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JB
Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 7746
Location: 91° N
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| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 13 5:01 pm Post subject: |
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OK, I need to get one of these now (need to make some window frames and it will make the job a lot easier) but don't know what to get, so based on the choice of my local DIY shed or axminster should I go for Einhell, Ryobi, Black and Decket or Makita?
For the job in hand a planer rather than a planer thicknesser is called for so at least it should be a bi cheaper but I'm still willing to spend enough to get something that won't burn out again. |
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Hairyloon
Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15039
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.
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| Posted: Wed Jan 02, 13 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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I've never heard of Einhell, B&D used to be good about 30 years ago.
Ryobi seem good, but in my experience, their customer services are full of manure.
So, all else being equal, I'd probably try Matika. |
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perlogalism
Joined: 27 Nov 2009
Posts: 440
Location: Near Welshpool
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 13 9:22 am Post subject: |
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| Hairyloon wrote: |
I've never heard of Einhell, B&D used to be good about 30 years ago.
Ryobi seem good, but in my experience, their customer services are full of manure.
So, all else being equal, I'd probably try Matika. |
Ditto. Don't buy Ryobi whatever you do: IF you do manage to source any spares, they cost a fortune. As an example, the primer bulb on my ryobi brushcutter perished. You can't buy the bulb, only the whole assembly including the carburettor! £65 as opposed to £3.50 for the Stihl equivalent 
See if AEG do a planer: I'm getting to be a big fan of their tools. Well designed, long lasting and sensible money. |
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JB
Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 7746
Location: 91° N
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 13 10:03 am Post subject: |
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Well I've just ordered a Makita planer, I had a quick look for AEG but they either seemed very expensive or out of stock, whereas Makita was very expensive on their list prices but a bit of shopping around finds some much more sensible prices. Of course reading some reviews people start saying how much better the next model up is but at that point I'd be spending £200 on a planer which is the entry point for some planer thickenessers so going to that level seemed silly. |
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perlogalism
Joined: 27 Nov 2009
Posts: 440
Location: Near Welshpool
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 13 2:31 pm Post subject: |
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Can't go far wrong with that. Let us know what you think once you've had a chance to play with it  |
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Gervase
Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 8655
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| Posted: Thu Jan 03, 13 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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I've got a Makita thicknesser and it's damned good - really robust, easily adjusted and consistent in operation. It's one of those bits of kit that becomes indispensable. |
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tahir
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 44144
Location: Essex
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| Posted: Wed Jun 01, 16 1:02 pm Post subject: |
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I think I may be in the market for a planer/thicknesser
First job would be to square off the (pre-treatment) offcuts from the recently woodworm treated dining table cherry. We've ended up with loads of stuff that I've cut down to around 410mm long which we'll be turning into 10 chopping boards (1 for each of our brothers and sisters).
Next job will be the timber for the table, currently boards are 100-300mm wide, 28mm thick and about 1.7mtrs long.
Space isn't an issue, so am I better with a lumpy (single phase) secondhand or something cheap and new?
e.g.
Used:
Elektra Beckum
Samco
AEG
New:
Record
Fox |
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mousjoos
Joined: 05 Jun 2006
Posts: 1977
Location: VERY Sunny SW France
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| Posted: Wed Jun 01, 16 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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Go for the Elektra Beckum
Spares are still available, although rumour has it EB became Ryobi, & then disappeared...same story with Elu, involving Dewalt &/or B&D
I have had this very same machine for 16 or so years now
Only thing I don't like is the infeed table micro adjust ie little grub screws...fiddly & not very accurate
Common fault is the pulley wheel wears & the belt slips off...very annoying...spares from Axminster, not too pricey
Depending on condition 350 on ebay (your link) is an okay price....maybe 450 - 475 tops
Always check when buying this type of machine secondhand, how flat & straight the tables are...ie if going to collect take a straight edge & lay it along the length of the machine, having first adjusted the tables to the same height...that is to say 0 millimetres
Look at the general wear & tear...if it looks like it's been used as a workbench then think twice
Hope this helps |
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tahir
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 44144
Location: Essex
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| Posted: Wed Jun 01, 16 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks as always mj |
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dpack
Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 34205
Location: yes
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| Posted: Wed Jun 01, 16 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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e b make/made very good kit,as mousjoos recons spares are available it should last for ages
the light duty ones are often a bit wobbly and often far noisier than pro ones.
moving the thing will be a bit of a task and probably best with it strapped into a van rather than in a car boot 
if i was wanting a cheap but effective smallish one with a 2 yr gnt i might have a go with erbauer .
i have several of their machines which seem to do very well for the price however the eb one can cut a wider plank and if in good nick is a far better machine and even with transport time/money on top of the 350 is probably better value if you plan for long term use. |
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Nick
Joined: 02 Nov 2004
Posts: 33851
Location: Hereford
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| Posted: Wed Jun 01, 16 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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Is hiring not a sensible option? Will you use it again after the table? |
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