It was somewhere outside Barstow when Alan Penn
wrote:

Question: If you could only have one of these machines which one would
you choose?

That would depend what I want to use it for.

I have both - ie they're separate machines, not a combined Euro-style
machine. The thicknesser is rarely used, the jointer (a planer with a
vertical fence) is used regularly. However when I _do_ get the
thicknesser out, it's usually to use it solid for a couple of 8 hour
days. The jointer typically makes one cut, then the covers go back on.

The thicknesser is one of the most cost effective machines I've ever
bought - because of the huge amount of cheap unplaned timber I've put
through it and turned into valuable surfaced and thicknessed timber.
It paid for itself in the first month I had it.

The jointer could be replaced by a good workbench and a couple of hand
planes. Sometimes it is.

You don't need a wide planer - the thicknesser will prepare both sides
of a board and produce flat timber.

As to the "Euro question", then I have separate machines because they
cost me about the same, lost the wide surface planing I've never
needed, but gave me thicknessing for 12" boards (combination planers
are either 10" maximum, or very expensive)

If you have a thicknesser, then you;ll be needing a chip collector
too. The jointer just has a box underneath its spout.