Thicknesser for floorboards

[Yukster]

I am thinking of running my reclaimed floorboards through a thickener before laying it down rather than sand it after it's laid. The idea sis to adjust the thiknesser to get the right amount of top layer taken off. Do people think it is a bad idea? Can you let me know if you think this is a bad idea?

 

[Burnerman]

Nothing wrong with that idea at all....it will only take minimal finishing once it's laid.
Watch for hidden nails, and push each plank through without disturbing any settings.
John

 

[Yukster]

Nothing wrong with that idea at all....it will only take minimal finishing once it's laid.
Watch for hidden nails, and push each plank through without disturbing any settings.
John

Fab. I need to rent a thiknesser. What thiknesser should I get and from what company? I live in E17

 

[Burnerman]

I would seriously doubt if you could hire such a machine......due to the weight and bulk of a suitably big one. They also need to be levelled and set on a concrete base really. I checked out planer / thicknesser for hire around here and drew a blank.
I'd contact a joiners shop or whatever and see what they could do for you.
John

 

[Yukster]

I would seriously doubt if you could hire such a machine......due to the weight and bulk of a suitably big one. They also need to be levelled and set on a concrete base really. I checked out planer / thicknesser for hire around here and drew a blank.
I'd contact a joiners shop or whatever and see what they could do for you.
John

Thanks John. The trouble is that my floorboards come in 5 m length. Finding a joiner will be the easy bit. Transporting the boards there and back will be pretty much impossible.

 

[gregers]

take a looksie in the papers/friday ad/free ad's etc,for a 2nd hand thicknesser
ebay have loads for sale,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Junior-Wh...363091?hash=item1a0bdfc153:g:NDcAAOSwYIhWjnAo

 

[Yukster]

take a looksie in the papers/friday ad/free ad's etc,for a 2nd hand thicknesser
ebay have loads for sale,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Junior-Wh...363091?hash=item1a0bdfc153:g:NDcAAOSwYIhWjnAo

I'm guessing that isnt the sort of thicknesser John is thinking about. Would a Junior Whitehead Planner And Thicknesser 3 Phase give good results?

 

[Burnerman]

That's exactly the sort of machine you need.....even that sort of size needs to be bolted down. Unfortunately the 3 phase system will give you issues with your domestic electrical supply, and even a single phase motor would need to be at least 3hp so that would need hard wiring and so on.
At least this machine will have a claw feed for the thicknesser which is a huge bonus.....or rather, necessity!
John

 

[geraldthehamster]

I am thinking of running my reclaimed floorboards through a thickener before laying it down rather than sand it after it's laid. The idea sis to adjust the thiknesser to get the right amount of top layer taken off. Do people think it is a bad idea? Can you let me know if you think this is a bad idea?

An alternative would be to take them outside and use a belt sander.

Cheers
Richard

 

[Dave54]

Chap I knew had something similar to this (Not this particular one. Can't remember what make his was), which seemed to work OK.
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cpt250-portable-thicknesser/
You would probably have to reduce any timber in several passes with lighter cuts.

 

[Burnerman]

It could be just the job that one.....it would need to be bolted down to a heavy table (not a workmate )
As far as I know, it won't have an auto feed so its really one guy guiding, one feeding and one taking off. Seems excellent value though!
John

 

[Dave54]

IIRC the one that chap had was a power feed model. There's a Dewalt on the same page that is power fed by the look of it, but pretty well twice the money. The power feed would make the job easier.
If I was doing 5 m lengths I'd want a couple of roller stands as well. As you say John, the planer itself is going to need bolting down to something substantial.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Let's not forget the need for a dust extractor (not a vacuum cleaner) with any thicknesser. These tools kick out a huge amount of chips and (with old boards) dust as well.

Personally if it were me I'd consider hiring an industrial belt sander and sanding the boards in-situ, with a 3in belt sander and a delta orbital sander to handle the margins. With a 40 grit belt there is little you can't take out. BTW, these also need a dust extractor (preferably an industrial vac for the floor sander - for the smaller tools a domestic vac will probably suffice)

 

[Yukster]

That's exactly the sort of machine you need.....even that sort of size needs to be bolted down. Unfortunately the 3 phase system will give you issues with your domestic electrical supply, and even a single phase motor would need to be at least 3hp so that would need hard wiring and so on.
At least this machine will have a claw feed for the thicknesser which is a huge bonus.....or rather, necessity!
John

How about the Makita 2012NB thicknesser? It's not the cheapest but it looks like it might do a good job and can be plugged into the domestic electrical supply. Is this a good option?

 

[Burnerman]

Similar to the Machine Mart one, albeit more expensive.....it has its own feed too! This will be an excellent bit of kit - Makita stuff just is - and you can buy with confidence.
Our comments about bolting it down and take offs etc still apply!
Good luck with your project....it'll look fab when its done!
John