Zipper HB204 Thicknesser/Planer REVIEW

An honest review of the Zipper HB204 Thicknesser

[@onetalentedman2822]

While in transport after leaving factory that knob is protected by only a thin piece of cardboard box. Ive noticed this on unboxing many of these small types of plainer thicknesses over many years. The problem is knob gets banged and open to damage of the bar it turns. Been protected in transit is as simple as a circle of thick cardboard covering this knob that is placed the same place on all plainer thicknesses. When buying a top quality machine there nearly always crated and protected well with cardbourd. Its about cost cutting to keep price as low as possable to sell. These are a good machine just remember it has limits. The only item that ever broke on mine was the drive belt twice due to daily use so recommend allways have at least one spare drive belt as took me a few weeks to get hold of the correct sized drive belt. Certainly value for money as these sized similar plainer thicknesses use to cost double 25 years ago price there sold for today.

[@harrywright261]

Hi Steve I got one of these machines after seeing your video. I didn’t have any of the problems you had things look great so far. I have given it a good hiding with Oak, Mahogany and some other reclaimed hardwood I can’t remember the name of, but it’s way harder than Oak and Mahogany. I missed a stone or something in it and the blade has a couple of nicks in it. Not to bad they will sand out. Have you tried adjusting or replacing the blades? If so can you do a quick video on it? I haven’t a clue how to do this, and there is little or no information in the instructions. I enjoyed the video, and thankyou for the recommendation no worries so far. Harry

[@shermansquires3979]

For the issue with the surfacing in feed table being hard to adjust, in reality that is supposed to be set to take off the minimum possible, like .5 of a mm . It’s not meant to be used to reduce thickness. That all adjust that way mind you, giving the impression it’s used for taking mms off at a time.

[@filippolongo2188]

Hello!!! What material is the infeed/outfeed table, and the thicknesser bed? Are those nicely levelled and true?

[@simonvaughannikon]

Hi, I’ve just seen your video. The blade guard doesn’t have to remain sticking out as you’ve said. If you raise the arm of the guard you can then push the guard back over the dust extraction cover and lock it in place. I’ve been using mine now for 2 years now. The only issue has been a broken drive belt which runs the cutters. Cheers

[@AlexEllis]

Steve, how long goes it take you to swap from jointer to planer? A review of the TTB579PLN showed it was quite time consuming for that model. Do you have to wind the thicknesser all the way down every time you want to switch back to planer mode?

[@prestonian1066]

I don't think he ever responded to a single question. Maybe that's why he only has 95 subscribers 🤔

[@MD-gc4xq]

Just got mine today after watching your review and have to say I’m well pleased, got it instead Of the titan. One of the reasons I went for this one was the much more solid fence.

[@andrewcarr1962]

With practice the snipe is minimal , as for the blade protector mine lifts high enough to push back, I’ll add a picture later.,

[@stephp38]

Hi all, isn't snipe caused by the timber going onto and off the anti friction rollers? do these small machines have those?

[@shermansquires3979]

No, it’s caused by user error.

[@rofio95]

The only problem i have is 3.5cm at the end of each side it plan an extra .5mm. can i avoid it?

[@michaelevans1658]

Looks very similar to the Screwfix Titan machine at£160 and my old Axminster p.t.

[@homewarehouse9617]

How do you use the planner

[@frankcornfield5915]

The snipe on both ends of the board is a killer for me. I thought this type of design was free of snipe.

[@davidford6785]

I don't think any thicknesser is free from snipe. Even expensive ones suffer from this to some extent

[@ryk3899]

@@davidford6785 it's not a thicknesser

[@shermansquires3979]

@@davidford6785 the snipe issue is user error. Real machines never have this ‘problem’ unless with older models you let the timber fall out of the thicknesser.

[@shermansquires3979]

@@ryk3899 it is.

[@ryk3899]

@@shermansquires3979 No it isn't. It's a surface planer (or jointer if you're a yank). Go educate yourself