Planner Thicknesser Review

By Andy the stuff doer

Just a quick post for somwhere to put comments.  The main Planer Thicknesser article is here . The model covered is a Woodstar PT85 which seems to be very similar to other makes. The videos have received knocking on for 70,000 views on Youtube and there are plenty of folks who have them useful.

It’s few years on from my original review and my woodstar is still working OK so the conclusion ” OK for the money” could now be upgraded to ” Good for the Money”

Anyway I’ve just had a comment through direct to my email that I’ve reposted down in the comments.  If you have any experiance you would like to add please feel free.

Cheers

13 Responses to “Planner Thicknesser Review”

  1. Comment reposted from email:-

    Your piece in planers was utterly, utterly brilliant!

    I have just taken delivery of the new fox version (I expect all the
    others will be similar). The fence is now extruded aly ‘plank’ about
    12mm thick and actually pretty rigid, good enough.

    A locknut-lever is provided to lock the thickness setting (replacing one
    of the socket screws on the back). There are some minor changes to the
    dust extraction and the thicknesser extension table.

    It still seems to take a 1/2mm cut on zero setting though.

    I’m pretty pleased but haven’t used it in anger.

    I have their saw bench (as I notice you do) but I am less happy about
    this. The combined angle and height locking collar is an arse. The
    height changes when you lock it up, and you lose any carefully set ‘0’
    degrees. Its either for the skip, or more likely some heavy-duty
    modification of the faceplate to install something usable.

    I also bought (yes, a busy time) the similar spindle moulder (really a
    bench router). Because the new ones come with only one collet I chose
    the older one (a draper as it happens) which had four (1/4″, 6mm, 12mm,
    1/2″) which covers the tools I have and make it easy to buy cheap US
    ones if required. This required squaring up (just one way needed
    luckily) the cutterhead to get better than 1mm in 100mm, and a making a
    better fence that allowed the use of finger guides etc and which was
    actually square.

    Anyway… well done … a most useful website.

  2. Thanks Oz. Thanks I’m glad to hear you found the review useful. It sounds like a few of the details have been addressed (or the Fox version has always been better detailed)

    You can set the blades lower but if too low the feed roller leaves marks on the surface, 0.5 mm does sound like a bit high for the minimum cut so you shoulld be able to reduce that with some trial and error.

    The saw bench is cheap and cheerful. The height adjustment is a bit loose, I find it changes when the machine is started up. so to get the right depth you need to guess or make some trial cuts. It also chages a bit under load, there’s play and flex in the links. The angle setting I’ve found to be OK although I did adjust the zero stop, I seem to remember it being hard to get to but it made mine useable. The power and depth of cut and eventual accuracy have been good enough for me for now although I’ve often considered an upgrade or maybe a band saw.

    Cheers
    Andy

  3. Steve. Halfpenny. on May 24th, 2015 at 11:48 pm

    Hi

    I am new to woodworking, and just starting out as a hobby. I have been keenly following your videos and notice you have both a planer thicknesser (jointer) and a planer thicknesser.

    I can seeking to purchase one of the following, my budget is £300

    Triton Planer Thicknesser 317mm

    Fox F22-564-250 10″ x 5″ Planer Thicknesser

    I am slightly confused as they are both called the same but look very different. My understanding is that the Fox (jointer) should provide a flat surface, although your video suggests it will but not brilliantly based on your similar machine. In another video of yours ” Bowed, Twisted Timber (Lumber) Planing, easy HOW TO” you demonstrate using the Triton equivalent. Therefore you demonstrate they can do the same thing.

    As you have both similar machines, my question is simple… Given the choice and my limited budget, which would your purchase..

    I hope you time to respond ( I am buying in the next week) , you seem very busy, and I must say your web site is awesome.

    Thanks.

    Steve.

  4. Hi Steve,
    Only just seen your comment.

    I have only got the one planner thicknesser branded “woodstar”. The “jointer/planer” top surface does present problems with the infeed table not being true. However the Thicknesser fuction is OK and it is that part that I use for the bowed, twisted timber planing.

    All the best
    Andy

  5. Hi Andy
    I have just purchased the Sip version of the same tool. It has some minor differences like the fence and its fixing which is with 2 socket head screws.
    I haven’t used it yet but will bear in mind the points about the in table adjustment. I notice you dont have any hoses connected to the chip collector. My Sip has come with a hose and a collection bag. Are these any use?
    The manual is not great so i am thankful for your video.
    I presume the fence has to be removed as a thicknesser so the collector can be fitted to operate the interlock switch.
    Have you had to replace the cutters or can they be sharpened?

  6. Hi Sir,

    Many thanks for this useful article.
    I bought the same machine beginning of 2015 and all the issues you are mentioning remain.

    I used the planner part for the first time really yesterday and have been super bothered by the difference of height between the left and the right of the in feed table. I was a bit unconfident but even took off the blades and placed them back to be sure they were parallel to the axis.

    Well now I will try to give it a little slap as you do, hopefully it will temporarily fix the issue!

    I am now reading your explanations about the different types of lumber and it is of great interest.

    Many thanks for your help Sir, carry on doing great stuff!

  7. Hi Axel, Great to know you find the information useful.
    Cheers

  8. Hi Eric,
    Apologies for the late response, I getting loads of spam comments and don’t always spot the genuine ones straight away.
    Hopefully he Sip Collector bag will work OK. Watch out that the Cowl / hose doesn’t get clogged up. if the chips /shavings get backed up it ends up marking the planned surface.
    Yes the collector mounts on the top after removing the fence.
    No I’ve not had to replace he cutter yet although I have had to remove them and made a simple jig to regrind them after a nick on a hidden nail. A diamond card can be used with the blades in place in between full sharpenings.

  9. Hi Andy,

    Went to use my – similar – version of the PT85 today, starting with lowering the planer table to remove the Dust Cover. I must have been too forceful as I am now unable to raise it again!
    Looked for a maintenance manual on the ‘net but could only find a user manual, but then discovered your Review.
    Watching your videos has given me more confidence that I can sort out the problem, as well as getting some tips for better performance.
    I have the later fence, which is more easily removed, but I think I will leave it off and use your ‘piece of a door’ solution instead.
    Thanks for the Review – it is very comprehensive and sensible!
    Perhaps I should have waited until AFTER trying a repair, but at my age I might forget to thank you.

  10. Actually, on checking, its a PT106, and I’m not having much success with trying to free the table. Do you know anyone who could do servicing in Somerset ? LOL

  11. Arrived by accident. Your breakdown of the machine and comments have saved me a lot of money. i’ll buy a better quality machine.

  12. Hey. Fabulous review! I have a similar model of this machine and having real problems with snipe on the surface planer. I’ve tried using the jig that came with it to lower the blade slightly, but it’s awful and sets them too low. What do use you to set the blade height? Do you have any tips you could share please? Many thanks indeed 🙂

  13. Hi David,
    Apologies for the late response. I know your problem. I use a straight edge (steel rule), edge on to the outfeed face. Then slowly turn the cutter block and you can see if the blade lifts the rule and now much it lifts it. You can measure the lift with feeler gauges or even see how far the blade lifts and moves the rule.
    Cheers
    Andy

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