Darrill Graye
11-19-2020, 4:28 PM
I just took delivery of a Minimax FS30c and there are a couple of things that may be issues but having had no experience before with this type of machine they may just be what I should expect.
The first issue occurs when using the thicknesser (UK). When I feed a piece of wood (I am testing with a hard piece of 6"x6" that is 18" long) the infeed roller grabs it hard enough to lift the back of it an inch or two. This is the best I can do after adjusting the pressure on the roller. Initially the back would go up 3-4" and then bang loudly onto the thicknesser bed. The vendor tells me that a certain amount of lift at the back is normal and I would like to believe him but after having watched too many videos of this and other similar machines I have never observed this.
The second issue appears on the wood after being through the thicknesser. This happens when the amount taken off is 0.5, 1 or 2mm. I have tried to attach a photo that shows what I think is a problem but I will try to describe what I see just in case the photo does not upload (my first post) or has insufficient resolution to display the issue.
I have the Xylent cutter block and it seems to leave faint marks of all of the cutters across the wood. These sand out with 120 grit. I did not think I would get away without sanding but did not expect marks like these. The tech support guy came and took photos he was going to share with SCM but I have yet to hear anything.
On pine the effect is less pronounced but the surface has some rough spots after thicknessing.
A last thing I have noticed is that when I feed a piece of wood through the thicknesser a second time without altering the thicknesser working height I am left with a piece of wood with a heavy set of infeed roller marks on it. I am told this is normal.
I would appreciate any comments from those familiar with the FS30c or similar so that I can set my expectations correctly or get it fixed.
Many thanks, Darrill
The first issue occurs when using the thicknesser (UK). When I feed a piece of wood (I am testing with a hard piece of 6"x6" that is 18" long) the infeed roller grabs it hard enough to lift the back of it an inch or two. This is the best I can do after adjusting the pressure on the roller. Initially the back would go up 3-4" and then bang loudly onto the thicknesser bed. The vendor tells me that a certain amount of lift at the back is normal and I would like to believe him but after having watched too many videos of this and other similar machines I have never observed this.
The second issue appears on the wood after being through the thicknesser. This happens when the amount taken off is 0.5, 1 or 2mm. I have tried to attach a photo that shows what I think is a problem but I will try to describe what I see just in case the photo does not upload (my first post) or has insufficient resolution to display the issue.
I have the Xylent cutter block and it seems to leave faint marks of all of the cutters across the wood. These sand out with 120 grit. I did not think I would get away without sanding but did not expect marks like these. The tech support guy came and took photos he was going to share with SCM but I have yet to hear anything.
On pine the effect is less pronounced but the surface has some rough spots after thicknessing.
A last thing I have noticed is that when I feed a piece of wood through the thicknesser a second time without altering the thicknesser working height I am left with a piece of wood with a heavy set of infeed roller marks on it. I am told this is normal.
I would appreciate any comments from those familiar with the FS30c or similar so that I can set my expectations correctly or get it fixed.
Many thanks, Darrill