"Alan Penn" wrote in message
...
Hope those in the US can translate the terminology.
Question: If you could only have one of these machines which one would
you choose?

Regards Alan

Opinion # 487

I would get the Thicknesser. I have had a jointer/planer for 22 years, a
thicknesser/planer for 16. I am seriously thinking of getting rid of the
jointer/planer.

To qualify my decision, space is a premium for me, I do this to make money,
and I seldom buy rough cut lumber. Most of my lumber is s3s and has one
straight edge to start with with. Both top and bottom are surfaced to
almost the thickness that I want. I inspect my lumber before buying and do
not buy twisted boards. And, because I this is a business for me, it is
cheaper for me in many instances to buy s4s lumber rather than take the time
my self to prep all the wood. I never thought I would say that but culling
through lumber piles to get s2s or s3s boards of the right dimensions is
part of the wood prep process IMHO. When buying s4s lumber, the width of
the lumber is predetermined and consistent. Thickness/planing is basically
eliminated unless I need thinner stock.
A board that may not have a straight edge, s2s can be straightened with a
simple jig on the TS and probably more quickly than on a jointer/planer.
If a rough cut board is flat, it can be successfully thicknessed with top
and bottom parallel using a thickneser/planer.