Metabo DH330 Thicknesser archive

Matt Long sees if Metabo works through thick and thin

Gallery

The Metabo DH330 Thicknesser in use

The extraction cowel collects nearly all of the shavings from the rear of the plane (PHOTOGRAPHS BY GMC/ANTHONY BAILEY)

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When setting up a workshop, a planer thicknesser is one of the standard bits of equipment but space will not always allow this luxury so, have you ever considered using just a thicknesser? Metabo have sent us their DH 330, so here are my findings so far: The basic configuration for most of these types of machine is broadly similar. The cutter block and motor are all housed in a moveable section, which rises and falls inside the machine's outer casing, through a winding mechanism. Simple and effective. In addition the Metabo has some interesting refinements, as well.

The cutter block and motor can be locked in position with a large red lever, to ensure no movement during planing. Also, you can preset the thickness you want to cut to with a selection lever on the side.

There's also a very handy indicator which tells you the thickness of cut you are making. The machine has other nice touches as well. Under the outfeed table is a storage bag for all the bits associated with the machine.

There is also a dust collector which can be fitted to an extractor. To fit it you need two screw-in knobs which hold the extraction cowel in place, after two lugs are pushed under screws with washers in the main body. It's simple to fit, and during the cut seems to collect all of the shavings from the out-feed side - though it has to be said that a few shavings do come back out the in-feed side. F&C

Woodworkers Institute

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Woodworkers Institute