Axminster Craft AC250PT Planer Thicknesser Review

[@TomsWooddities]

Want to see how this machine is packaged and delivered? Watch my unboxing of this machine here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqHdmYB7hJytsJI

[@rayallaire3274]

Thank you for not wasting my time! This is the best review video I've seen yet. Straight, to the point and thorough...all without a bunch of stupid edits and unfunny attempts at humor. I am currently in the market for a planer/thicknesser and you have made a good case for the Axminster. I bought one of their table saws a couple years ago and I'm quite happy with it. Bravo!

[@TomsWooddities]

Thanks for the kind feedback, really pleased it’s helped you out 👍👍

[@10MinuteWorkshop]

Great review Tom, thanks! Just FYI Axi did ~£50 Million in revenue last year, so not all *that* small! 😯👍👍

[@TomsWooddities]

Thanks Peter! I take your point :) I suppose I was thinking relative to the DeWalts and Boschs of this world - hope they’ll still let me in the shop next time I visit! 😳😂

[@paultay23]

If i was in the market for a quality Planer/Thicknesser that would have been very useful. (I have a DW733 Thicknesser) Nice to have another UK KZbinr ...subscribed

[@TomsWooddities]

Thanks for the kind words, really makes it worthwhile contributing to the KZbin community :)

[@BeardClipper]

This was such a useful and well presented video. I'm looking into buying something like this and finding that if you buy cheap you're just gonna buy twice so have been seriously considering one of these machines and your review answered pretty much every question I had. Thanks for taking the time to put together such a well presented video; I've subscribed and will be dipping into your other videos as well. Cheers

[@TomsWooddities]

Thanks for the kind words, it’s great to know that the video continues to serve its purpose and helped you come to some conclusions. When I uploaded it, there wasn’t anything on KZbin so I wanted to help others who were in my position. Thanks for the sub, hope you find my other videos of some help in the future 👍

[@solsdadio]

Cheers. That was a well put together review. I appreciate your shared insights.

[@TomsWooddities]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@davidsmith824]

Tom, good evening. You won't remember but I asked you a question re cutting down the 'arms' of the mobile base you reviewed after buying the PT itself. Well my Craft PT and the 'new' mobile base arrived this afternoon and, although the base is the new smaller one compared to the trade model, it was still too large to provide a snug fit on the PT - so after speaking to Axminster tech support (who were very good BTW) I grabbed the angle grinder and removed 3cm from each long arm and 5cm from the short ones. This allowed me to fit the PT to the base quite snugly with some plywood underneath - as you did - to provide some degree of cushioning - BTW I didn't add the feet as they would have lifted it way 'out of the base' itself - and around 1cm of plywood down each side to ensure the PT doesn't move. However, it's highly unlikely to move weighing what it does! My question though looking back at this video - which I have watched many times before deciding to buy one - is that the locking nut and bolt at the back of the fence - which you and I decided was for ensuring the fence is locked at 90 degrees - is according to the manual for ensuring that it sits at 45 degrees when you want it and not 90 degrees. I think that we are correct and the manual is wrong, I cannot see how that locking nut and bolt can have anything to do with the 45 degree positioning - though I've been wrong so many times in my life I'm probably wrong now! Thanks for the video - it certainly encouraged me to get one. Now I just need to get a decent chip collector.

[@TomsWooddities]

Hi David, I do remember your question and sounds like you got the wheel base working well 👍 so far as a dust collector is concerned, I’ve noticed a marked difference in performance and effectiveness between my old 1hp and new 1.5hp extractor. The craft one which Axminster do for £250 I would highly recommend 👌

[@TurningStarkers]

Thanks for this video. I have a similar designed machine and it also has a lot of dust on the thicknesser table. Was wondering what’d not set up correctly

[@TomsWooddities]

Glad you liked the video - I think that short of having industrial grade extraction, you’re always going to have some dust - even after upgrading myself, it’s still not perfect so at this price point I’d say that’s the best you can hope for

[@eyuptony]

Good review Tom. I think the quality is spot on with the cast Iron tables and the three knife cutterhead. The surfacing tables lifting up the opposite way to the majority when using the thicknessing mode is not a problem really as long as it performs as it should. It did, the finish on the Oak board using both modes was superb. It's a great size machine for the smaller workshop like yours. Tony

[@TomsWooddities]

Thanks Tony, glad you enjoyed the review and found it useful! :)

[@Glenfiddich101]

A great review there Tom, I definitely think that you would benefit from putting the machine on a trolley even if you are not going to wheel it around your workshop you would be able to turn the machine around and so that the planer top wouldn't be in your way when when you are using the thicknesser and they would be out the way and flush with your back wall. There are a few videos online on how to build a trolley for a thicknesser of this size, otherwise I have heard that Axminster stock them themselves and they start at about £70.00 to about £150.00, or buy an aftermarket version for cheaper or I saw one online that the guy had made himself, presumably for buttons 😁👍 Best of luck with your new machine Glen 😁👍

[@TomsWooddities]

Hi Glen, cheers for the kind words and advice, appreciate you taking the time to watch the video and share some advice. If you have a look at my other videos, you’ll see I went ahead and bought a mobile base and did a video on it 😁👍

[@PaulC1980]

I'm sold👍 that would be ideal for Me, thanks Tom

[@TomsWooddities]

Ah that’s great, glad that it helped you come to a decision 👍😊

[@markjarman7819]

I’ll be treating myself when funds let me from Axminster tools. Great review tom👍

[@TomsWooddities]

Great stuff, pleased you found it useful and hope you have many happy years of use from the new machine when you get it 👍

[@tworiversworkshop6111]

Thank you for a very good review.

[@TomsWooddities]

You’re welcome, glad you enjoyed it 😃

[@kieran.stafford]

Many thanks for the video. I dislike the fact that when thicknessing, the tables lift up to the side that the operator uses for planing thus getting in the way. Also couldn't help but notice some gouge marks on the timber after both operations.

[@TomsWooddities]

Yes, I can understand your feeling re the thicknessing mode. As I said in the video, I bought the machine knowing this bit it’s something you get used to - ideally Axminster would’ve designed the tables to operate like the bigger trade standard models

[@tulipgraphics]

Hello, thanks for your review, i just bought a similar 16" planer secondhand. I did not get a wrench for the bolts of the blade holder. 8mm is to large, with caliper I measured 7.5 mm. Do you you know the size of your bolts and wrench? Could it be in inch ?

[@TomsWooddities]

Each machine is different so I wouldn’t compare your machine with this one. At 7.5mm that puts it around 5/16 so you could try an imperial wrench. I always recommend googling the manufacturer and model of your machine to see if there is anything out there to help, or there are plenty of very helpful groups on Facebook that could help you out 👍

[@Mike--K]

I wish I had bought the Axminster AC250PT. It appears to be a higher quality than the similar Holzmann HOB260NL that I have. Have you checked the infeed and outfeed tables to ensure they are coplanar? Mine weren't, and it was quite an ordeal to fix them.

[@TomsWooddities]

That's a really good question Mike - I haven't performed that check on the basis of having faith in the assembly standard :) One piece of the review I cut out funnily enough involved discussing the planing depth adjustment. The first time I tried to reduce it to less than 1mm, I noticed the table twisting - the fix was simple however, to just slacken the infeed table to its maximum depth, then back to 0 a few times - since then the table moves very smoothly up and down.

[@lawman1965]

Tom, you mention your dust extractor. Which one did you go for. I've just taken delivery of this machine (your review was useful when setting up) and I already had a 1HP charnwood extractor. I have been thinking of buying an Axminster Craft one, the one at 1.5HP with a cartridge filter as I use it with my router table and table saw.

[@TomsWooddities]

As it happens, since posting this video I’ve upgraded my extractor to the very machine you describe. Can confirm it definitely makes a difference with the chip collection, but after 12 months use I’ve come to realise that it’ll never be perfect, but I’d say get the highest power you can realistically afford

[@tpottrell]

I just received my AC250PT and it does have a very slightly cupped fence, but we're only talking less than 1mm in the middle so I dont think it will cause any issues

[@TomsWooddities]

It’s funny you should comment about that now, as I’m expecting a replacement fence from Axminster as mine seems to have developed a twist in it meaning I can’t get the outfeed table square to the fence along its length. First class service from Axminster though, no ifs or buts, just sent it with no quibbles 👍👍👍

[@nicowilson]

Good review. Thank you.

[@TomsWooddities]

Thank you, hope it helped you make a decision one way or the other if you were in the market to purchase it :)

[@connich8996]

Very good review 👍 thanks

[@TomsWooddities]

Thank you 😊 glad you enjoyed it!

[@andbozo1]

Very useful review. Unfortunately the price has gone up by 25% in the last 6 months or so

[@TomsWooddities]

Yes, I know that Axminster have levied price increases across their range recently, including this iten

[@keefykeef]

Great review 👍

[@TomsWooddities]

Thanks Keith - love your videos too, looking forward to seeing more of the shed!

[@vharboe]

That's a ML 392 in axminster's colours. I have a green one, a bit older but otherwise EXACTLY the same, except for the fence and the cutter guard which is slightly different. It is a very good machine, but get the cheapest brand of those. I've seen it branded Charnwood, Axminster and a few others. The only difference I've spotted is the color. The fence is pretty bad, but the rest of the machine is very good. Good value for money!

[@vharboe]

BTW: my machine (not Axminster) looks EXACTLY the same when planing. Chips all over the place. But that's okay, really. The fine dust is removed, and I don't mind sweeping. :)

[@TomsWooddities]

Great observation, thank you for sharing. I know what you mean about the branding, it does seem that pattern manufacturing is a big thing in woodworking machinery at the lower end of the market. This machine is excellent though, and whilst I’ve since upgraded, I still recommend it for the beginner who’s serious because it offers so much for the money!

[@digidandan]

Check the alignment of the tables after every switching between jointing and thicknessing modes. It won't be aligned anymore. That's the biggest drawback of this machine. Many people struggled with it. Anyway - solid machine for the start, I wish you some nice projects to be done.

[@TomsWooddities]

Good tip - in fairness, I've not noticed any major issues with the accuracy of my planing using this machine. I've just recently milled a load of maple and checking random pieces with an engineers square confirms that all corners are 90 degrees. That said, I do think it's a valid point to check the alignment of each component of the machine periodically to ensure accuracy, and will be doing that this week :)

[@SteveD-mk6ux]

Have you needed to change or adjust blades yet? Personally we are having great difficulty due to flex in the block. The in and out feed levelling are neigh on impossible. Maybe just a bad one.......

[@TomsWooddities]

No blade changes yet, but as mentioned in another comment my fence has developed a fault and Axminster sent a replacement out straight away. Not fitted it yet, but something for next week. Not had any issues with levelling the tables, but I’d encourage you to get in touch with Axminster as their after sales support is excellent 👌

[@peterm3443]

Great review Tom! Really clearly presented. I'm considering purchasing this machine. Any updated thoughts after using it for a while? Would you buy it again? Also, how does it do with longer (~2m) boards?

[@TomsWooddities]

If it’s your first serious machine of this type, I think you’ll be very happy. For the time I owned it, it served me well, though I’ve been lucky enough to upgrade the the spiral cutter block model. What I can usefully compare are the two machines, and the quality of the cut is the main discernible difference, but both machines perform the task very well. For longer boards, it’s more about your personal technique than relying on the machine to do all the work - this is true of all planers with a bed length like this

[@arthurcornish4070]

Just wondering if you know what that discount code was as your great review has encouraged me to buy one

[@TomsWooddities]

Hi Arthur, it was an offer through Axminster’s eBay store which coincided with an eBay discount that they run periodically, so there’s no code to share I’m afraid

[@pi1171]

Hello Tom. I just watched your review and, as I have quite a small workshop, I wonder how much space do you need around the machine to operate it in a comfortable and safe way? Best regards Peter

[@TomsWooddities]

Hi Peter, happy to help where I can. I have a 16’x8’ workshop, and you can manage fine in that space. One of the main constraints you’ll find is the size of timber you want to machine. Ultimately, it’s about your own level of comfort operating a machine like this, but I highly recommend a mobile base (as featured in another video) to help make things easier

[@pi1171]

@@TomsWooddities thanks for your answer. Yes a mobile base is a must. I have stuffed my garage to the limit with machines so in order to have room for a new one I probably have to "reconfigure my workflow" extensively. 😁

[@ianandrews1511]

Good review. Those planer beds folding is a joke though. Would break me within 10mins. Looks like ive gotta spend more to get a trade machine now

[@TomsWooddities]

I can see how they’re not for everyone. Have invested in a mobile base to try and ease the inconvenience - video to follow!

[@markmarlow]

I finally said il buy one after months of thinking about it and it’s out of stock what a shame

[@TomsWooddities]

Yeah, I’ve been looking at their website and a lot of the machinery is on back order 😔 it’ll be worth the wait though, I can assure you that much 😄

[@markmarlow]

Tom's Wooddities I’ve been Axminster today and there in stock the 4 September so I’ve back ordered one there prices go up September as well so good time to order one

[@TomsWooddities]

Thanks for coming back and mentioning that, really useful heads up for other watchers 👍