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Thicknessers

At TWS we don’t just put up planer thicknessers for sale and leave it at that. We offer a complete service when you buy a new or used planer thicknesser from us. We’ve been in business since the 70’s and that has given us plenty of time to perfect what we do. Our knowledge of woodworking machines and the wider industry gives us the ability to assess the needs of your business and recommend the best option.

A good planer thicknesser is a solid investment for a joinery or wood shop but not everyone has the cash on hand to be able to invest in new machines. We work closely with Tower Finance to make sure our customers get the best deal on fiance. The right thicknesser will pay for itself over time and be a solid addition to your workshop. Get in touch today to find out how TWS can help. Call on 01278455622 or email info@twswood.co.uk

Thicknessers: Essential Tool for Precise Woodworking

A thicknesser, also known as a planer thicknesser or thickness planer, is a crucial machine for any woodworking shop. It is designed to smooth and level timber by shaving off layers from the surface to achieve uniform thickness across the entire board. Ideal for professional woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts alike, thicknessers are indispensable when working on furniture making, cabinetry, and other detailed woodworking projects where precision is paramount.

What Does a Thicknesser Do?

A thicknesser ensures that your wood pieces are perfectly flat and evenly thick, eliminating any imperfections caused by sawmilling or natural warping. By passing a board through the thicknesser, it removes layers from the top surface, creating a smooth, even finish. The result is perfectly dimensioned wood, ready for joinery, laminating, or finishing work.

Why is a Thicknesser Worth It?

A thicknesser is invaluable for woodworkers seeking precision. Not only does it save time and effort, but it also helps reduce wood wastage by allowing you to use rough, irregularly cut wood and transform it into clean, evenly planed boards. Whether you’re creating bespoke furniture or preparing boards for intricate joinery, a thicknesser ensures that every piece of wood is consistently sized, reducing errors in your final assembly.

Can You Use a Planer as a Thicknesser?

While surface planers are excellent for smoothing and flattening the top surface of wood, planer thicknessers go one step further by allowing the wood to be fed through the machine for a uniform thickness on all sides. The key difference lies in the design and functionality—planer thicknessers specifically ensure even thickness across the entire length and width of a board.

What Can I Use Instead of a Thicknesser?

For those without access to a thicknesser, hand planes or power sanders can offer a temporary solution, but they lack the precision and efficiency of a dedicated machine. While manual methods can produce flat surfaces, they’re far more labor-intensive and don’t guarantee uniform thickness across large boards.

How Thick Can a Thicknesser Cut?

The thickness capacity varies depending on the model, but most industrial thicknessers can handle wood pieces from a few millimeters up to around 200mm (8 inches) thick. For hobbyist machines, capacities might be slightly smaller, but still versatile enough for most woodworking needs.

Investing in a thicknesser for your workshop ensures high-quality results and increased productivity. Whether you’re working with reclaimed timber or prepping rough-sawn boards, this tool will provide the precision and smoothness needed for any woodworking project.

For more details on thicknessers and professional woodworking equipment, visit twswood.co.uk.

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Casadei PS 41 ES Thicknesser with Spiral Cutterblock

POA +VAT

Casadei PS 520 Thicknesser with Spiral Cutterblock

POA +VAT

New Itech TH 410S Thicknesser with Spiral Cutter block

POA +VAT

New Itech TH 630 Thicknesser with Spiral Block

POA +VAT

New SCM Casadei PS52 Thicknesser Specification

£9,250.00 +VAT

SCM S520 Nova Thicknesser

£4,850.00 +VAT

SCM S520 Thicknesser

£3,650.00 +VAT

Wadkin 12″ BAO Thicknesser

£1,260.00 +VAT

What’s the Difference Between a Thicknesser and a Planer?

A thicknesser (also known as a thickness planer) and a surface planer serve different but complementary roles in woodworking.

Surface Planer: Its primary function is to flatten and smooth one side of a board. You use this to create a flat reference face, especially if the board is warped or uneven.
Thicknesser: This machine ensures that both faces of the wood are parallel and the board is of consistent thickness. After using a surface planer to flatten one side, the thicknesser removes material from the opposite side, making it uniform in thickness across its length.

Essentially, a surface planer is for flattening a board, while a thicknesser ensures even thickness on both sides.

What Is a Thicknesser Used For?

A thicknesser is used to create uniformly thick boards by shaving off layers of wood from the top side. It’s crucial for woodworking projects where precision and consistency are important, such as furniture making, cabinetry, and flooring. The machine can process rough-sawn timber, turning it into smooth, usable wood pieces. This allows you to customize your wood’s thickness to suit your project’s specifications.

Is a Planer Thicknesser Worth It?

A planer thicknesser (a combination of both machines) is an excellent investment for anyone serious about woodworking. Its dual functionality allows for both flattening and thicknessing wood in one machine, saving space and providing more flexibility.

For professional woodworkers and dedicated hobbyists, the tool is worth the investment because it speeds up the workflow, reduces manual labor, and ensures consistently high-quality results. It also allows you to save money by purchasing rough lumber and milling it yourself to exact specifications.

What Can I Use Instead of a Thicknesser?

If you don’t have access to a thicknesser, you can try:

Hand Planes: These require more manual effort and are not as precise or efficient for large-scale projects, but they can flatten and smooth surfaces effectively.
Belt Sanders or Drum Sanders: These can be used to sand down the surface and reduce thickness, though not as precisely as a thicknesser.
Router Jigs: A router can be mounted on a jig to create a makeshift thicknessing system, although this method is slower and less precise.

While alternatives exist, none match the accuracy and efficiency of a dedicated thicknesser.