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5stars
16ratings4stars
3ratings3stars
3ratings2stars
0rating1star
0rating
Good safety features100% agree
Easy to store94% agree
Easy to use100% agree
16 reviews
Metabo HC260C First Impressions
This is almost identical to the Record PT260, both obviously having the same source, but the Metabo is about £80 cheaper, which is why I opted for it. I previously owned the Record up to three years ago.
It took me a couple of hours to put it together and carefully set it up. It is worth taking the time to make these adjustments, mostly amounting to setting the cutter blades to be parallel to and very slightly above level with the outfeed table. This eliminates any snagging and ensures accuracy when in surfacing mode.
The Metabo differs from the Record in a few ways, most obviously in the operation of the cutter block guard which is of a ‘swing over’ design attached to the outfeed table (and is therefore removed in thicknessing mode). The Record has a vertically mounted guard operated via rack and pinion by a lever. The casting is there, complete with threaded holes, to take the Record mechanism, again indicating that the two machines originate from the same manufacturer. There is not much to choose between the two mechanisms, but on balance I prefer the Record as it is slightly easier to use and serves to hold down the lightweight extraction chute in thicknessing mode. The Metabo design, as mentioned, doesn’t have the cutter block guard in this mode so relies on a wingnut to hold down the chute. This is inconvenient and not very effective so I use a bungee cord across the extraction hose to hold it in place.
A further difference is in the row of anti kick-back teeth on the thicknesser infeed. These are of cast alloy on the Record whereas the Metabo makes do with thinner steel plate. However, I can see no disadvantage here. In fact, the steel teeth with plastic spacers may prove less inclined to stick in the ‘up’ position as sometimes happened with the Record. The Metabo also does away with the Record’s need to operate a switch to select surfacing or thicknessing functions.
The thicknessing bed is of cast iron as you would expect – same as the Record – but it appears to sit on a thinner steel plate. When cleaning the thicknessing bed, I injured my finger on the sharp edge of this. Lesson learnt.
Elsewhere the machines seem to be the same in all areas that matter, down to identical beds, fence operation and that smooth and relatively quiet induction motor. My Record was still going strong when I sold it after about eight years of ownership so I am hopeful that the Metabo will do the same.
All in all I am so far very happy with it. It’s an expensive item which is why I tried to get away with a £130 Titan benchtop machine, but I took this back to the shop the next day! The Metabo feels like quality and if it serves as well as my Record did, it will be money well spent.
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Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: machinery4wood
First thoughts
Delivery was fast, thanks to FFX!
Assembly and adjustment took ~3h. Biggest problem I had was the infeed table, mounting has play - no good! I had to use thin shimming sheets to get it fine, added to both sides 0,15mm. Without this the boards will not plane accurate/straight. After the adjustment it is perfect, a simple and traditional solution. Thicknesser side needs adjustment, took a wide board and measured both sides, got ~0,5mm difference. The first board I run through was a 200m wide spruce, nice soft wood, cleans the work surfaces of oil before using harder wood. So the next pieces were actual hard wood: ash, apple wood, maple. It cuts well has sufficient power but the blades are not good. Just after some hardwood pieces there was already chipping, lines left on wood. The back guide is suprisingly good after some fine adjustment, perfect 90. Front safety guard is good, I like it, it's strong and does not make any noise. Overall I like the thicknesser/plane combo, just needs some adjustment and better blades.Read full review...
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: folkestonefixings
Pleasantly surprised.
Mixed feelings before ordering and therefore did a lot of research. Ordered. Surprised at the weight and overall felt that it was very robust. Instructions were atrocious. Much guidance via YouTube and finally got it right. Safety features are excellent but make this very difficult to set up. 3 limit switches requiring precise alignment before this will fire up. The most frustrating is the switch locking the planer in overhead mode. This requires the chip ejection nozzle to be locked in the correct position, thus depressing a limit switch. Overly engineered in this respect and a real pain in the butt to set up correctly. Similarly in thicknesses mode, the position of the chip ejection HOOD is critical. else it won't fire up. All reviews say that switching between modes (overhead and thicknesser) are a pain. They are. It is getting easier though - with practice.
Good chip extraction is vital. This planer creates a lot of debris - despite its size.
Have just pushed through several metres of air dried Oak up to 4" x 6" and the planer is up for it and produces a good finish.
Factory supplied disposable blades are rubbish and chip easily. Expect to upgrade to 3mm blades that can be re-sharpened. Supplied blades will have a reasonable life if not pushed too hard.
Some strange noises from underneath on power down, which sound belt-related. Again, YouTube videos suggest a host of small niggles related largely to the way that this is manufactured. None of them cannot be resolved with parts that appear to be easily obtained. We'll see - over time.
For a hobby/DIY'er, this is a nice piece of kit. For us too. However, we are punishing it a little with the hardness of the timber. It will last, I am sure. We may have to switch blades a few times in the next few weeks, but that's not the fault of the machine. It will become a nice addition to our workshop once our project is done.
Summing up - I would buy again. FFX are very good, have bought a lot of kit from them.Read full review...
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: folkestonefixings
Nice Machine ( BUT )
The machine arrived quick and once opened it was clear it was easy to put together by means of only a few parts to connect .However ,The trouble then began as the Instruction book was not very clear in showing detailed fitting instructions and it took me almost half a day to figure out where all the parts went .It was also not very clear on how the chip extractor was to be screwed on to a underneath aluminium bar and after a few adjustments it fitted .
Overall it looked good .
My only regret and a annoying little detail was that to use the thicknesser with the chip extractor. You have to remove the in fed top table ..It would have been nice to have a design where, once all parts have been fitted there would be no reason to remove any part .
Overall though I must admit its a very good machine and cuts really nice. and for the money its built well and a good quality .Read full review...
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: folkestonefixings
For My Purposes
The machine is excellent, well made, and runs well. Bigger than expected, having a 10" cutter block. Twice the size of my last machine and takes up a fair amount of space in my garage, and is quite heavy; however it has a couple of substantial wheels which take the weight when one end is lifted so it is fairly easily moved. The outfeed table is clipped on and removes easily for separate storage. Using the chippings collector is a cumbersome procedure and it will take time and fiddling to make adjustments. It's not possible to quickly and easily change from surface planning to thicknessing when using it, so I have dispensed with mine in favour of a dustpan and brush. The assembly instructions could be written more clearly and take a lot of studying.Read full review...
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: folkestonefixings
After an awful assembly, there is nothing better available for the price.
This is a solid machine that produces great results. The assembly of the product on arrival is nothing short of traumatic for the owner. It took me a whole day to get it running and the main reason the woefully inadequate instruction book.
In addition there is a completely useless adjustment assembly attached to the dust collector which I had to completely remove, to enable the 3 micro switches to operate as intended, in order to make the machine work. Had it not been for videos on youtube, I don't believe I would have ever got the machine to work.Read full review...
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: my-tool-shed
Brilliant piece of equipment would highly recommend. I use ffx many times over the years and they are always very helpful, quick delivery. Quality all
Brilliant piece of equipment would highly recommend. I use ffx many times over the years and they are always very helpful, quick delivery. Quality all round.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: folkestonefixings
wood work.
great product.not too loud like my last one.very easy to setup and use.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: powertoolmate
Metabo 260 anti kickback bar.
Item looks brand new. Good price.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: angphebz
A lovely person to deal with. Great advice on using it too. Many thanks
A lovely person to deal with. Great advice on using it too. Many thanks
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: madmanmike88