Popular Post Dadio Posted March 24, 2018 Popular Post Report Posted March 24, 2018 (edited) I just bought this CUTECH /40700HC-CT portable 12 1/2" planer and set it up the last week. I had an old Delta that ran good but the feed rollers wouldn't grab the wood and I would end up having to push the board through with a pusher stick. That is unsafe to begin with and a PITA besides. So I spent about a month reading reviews and pricing out the different planers. I settled on the Cutech because the reviews were good, and it has a spiral cutter head with carbide cutters for less than $500., $379. to be exact + shipping http://www.cutechtool.com/product-p/40700hc-ct.htm They make the General International portable planer. They have several models, and combinations in each model of straight HS blades, Straight carbide blades, HS Spiral cutters, and Carbide Spiral cutters. I bought the basic model with the Carbide Spiral cutters, I don't need all the bells and whistles on the higher priced models. They come with a 2 year warranty, which I hope I never have to use. The Manual was very good for setting up the planer and checking out the table, and operating the planer. I ran a few rough sawn boards thru and they came out very smooth. I ran a maple burl through and it came out from a chainsaw rough surface to a nice even surface,but a ted rough like sandpaper,but no tearout. I haven't given it a good workout yet, but like what I have seen so far. The best part so far too, is the noise level is less than 2/3rds of what the Delta or my old Dewalt 735 . I have it stting along side of my PC benchtop jointer and it is noticeably quieter than the jointer. Manual http://www.cutechtool.com/v/40700H ver17.03.20.pdf Herb Edited March 24, 2018 by Dadio Artie, HARO50, Gerald and 2 others 4 1 Quote
Smallpatch Posted March 24, 2018 Report Posted March 24, 2018 If you are happy with it that is the main thing. Every time I read where someone is unhappy with their planer because it stops in the cutting process and burns the wood and digs a gap and my thoughts, they are trying to take off too much at a time.. HARO50 1 Quote
lew Posted March 24, 2018 Report Posted March 24, 2018 Looks like a nice machine! At least they new where to locate the dust collection. My biggest complaint about the 735. Dadio and HARO50 1 1 Quote
Grandpadave52 Posted March 24, 2018 Report Posted March 24, 2018 Great review Herb. Thanks! Phenomenal price point for spiral cutter head. All reviews I've seen on the entire Cutech line have been very favorable. I first beginning seeing them (Cutech) advertise locally on CL a couple of years ago or so. Are the inserts reversible/rotatable? Replacements available from only Cutech or are they a "standard" insert? Quote
Dadio Posted March 24, 2018 Author Report Posted March 24, 2018 4 hours ago, Smallpatch said: If you are happy with it that is the main thing. Every time I read where someone is unhappy with their planer because it stops in the cutting process and burns the wood and digs a gap and my thoughts, they are trying to take off too much at a time.. That was what my old Delta was doing. When I would give it a push it would change direction slightly and go a little and stop. So I would end up pushing it all the way thru and then using a pusher to complete the cut, while I was fumbling around getting the pusher in place it would dig a divot. Herb HARO50 1 Quote
Dadio Posted March 24, 2018 Author Report Posted March 24, 2018 3 hours ago, lew said: Looks like a nice machine! At least they new where to locate the dust collection. My biggest complaint about the 735. Lew, my old Delta as you can see in the 2nd picture didn't have dust control, so I had to make a shroud and port out of plywood and attach an arm to the side of the cabinet to support the flex duct. Herb Quote
Dadio Posted March 24, 2018 Author Report Posted March 24, 2018 32 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said: Great review Herb. Thanks! Phenomenal price point for spiral cutter head. All reviews I've seen on the entire Cutech line have been very favorable. I first beginning seeing them (Cutech) advertise locally on CL a couple of years ago or so. Are the inserts reversible/rotatable? Replacements available from only Cutech or are they a "standard" insert? Not sure if they are available elsewhere, but they will fit General,Rikon,Steelcity,Craftsman and Cutech planers. Some of those listed are currently not available, the only one I could find, General, is limited stock now. They sell for $45./10 pack. It would take 3 packs (30ea.) to do a complete change over and have 6 ea. left over. http://www.cutechtool.com/product-p/40938.htm they rotate 90 deg. to make the second blade. This means that for $136. you get 2 sets of blades with 6 left over to use on the next set. So the next 2 changes you only have to order 2 packs @$90. total to complete the next 2, which means you can get 4 changes for around $56. ea. change and that is comparable to the change over of most planers with HSS cutters, and these are Carbide. I might add that the change takes less than 5 min.( by the reviews) and is self aligning, just loosen, rotate,tighten, done. The torques wrench is furnished with the machine. Herb Artie, HARO50, Grandpadave52 and 1 other 4 Quote
Gene Howe Posted March 24, 2018 Report Posted March 24, 2018 Herb, in case that torque wrench fails.... Inch pound one from HF. $19.99. Grandpadave52 and HARO50 2 Quote
Grandpadave52 Posted March 24, 2018 Report Posted March 24, 2018 26 minutes ago, Dadio said: They sell for $45./10 pack. It would take 3 packs (30ea.) to do a complete change over and have 6 ea. left over. they rotate 90 deg. to make the second blade. This means that for $136. you get 2 sets of blades with 6 left over to use on the next set. So the next 2 changes you only have to order 2 packs @$90. total to complete the next 2, which means you can get 4 changes for around $56. ea. change and that is comparable to the change over of most planers with HSS cutters, and these are Carbide. Math story problems are not a strong suit anymore. Thanks Herb...Wonder if any of Grizzly's might interchange. Makes sense they are not a proprietary part, but more off the shelf items to reduce production costs. Not that it's an urgent issue anyways, but you might want to Bookmark this site for future reference. Cutech is not specifically listed Yet anyways but General, General International, and some Craftsman for this particular search.They do give dimensions & general specs so maybe??? They have both a CA & US help number. My Woodcutters Dadio and Artie 2 Quote
Grandpadave52 Posted March 24, 2018 Report Posted March 24, 2018 2 minutes ago, Gene Howe said: Inch pound one from HF. $19.99. Sometimes $9.99 with a coupon and don't forget choices of free flashlights, multi-meters, screwdrivers, 25' tape and most recently (yesterday) I got the four pack of micro-fiber clothes. Dadio, p_toad, HARO50 and 1 other 1 3 Quote
Popular Post Dadio Posted March 24, 2018 Author Popular Post Report Posted March 24, 2018 (edited) GO Harbor Freight!!. 11 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said: My Woodcutters Those are the HSS inserts, M-1 tools steel. I bid lower: http://www.cutechtool.com/product-p/40930.htm I forgot to mention that the HSS cutters will work on this machine too. @$30./10 pack. Torque wrench.....................................GO HARBOR FREIGHT. Herb Edited March 24, 2018 by Dadio Gene Howe, p_toad, HARO50 and 2 others 2 3 Quote
Grandpadave52 Posted March 24, 2018 Report Posted March 24, 2018 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Dadio said: Those are the HSS inserts, M-1 tools steel. Duh...you are absolutely correct. Completely missed that...My mind is not too clear today...well worse than normal Sorry for the mis-information & fake news Edited March 24, 2018 by Grandpadave52 p_toad, Artie and HARO50 3 Quote
Dadio Posted March 24, 2018 Author Report Posted March 24, 2018 1 minute ago, Grandpadave52 said: Duh...you are absolutely correct. Completely missed that...My mind is not too clear today...well worse than normal Sorry for the mis-information & fake news Do't feel bad that is good to know, I will keep that for reference. Herb p_toad and Grandpadave52 1 1 Quote
Artie Posted March 24, 2018 Report Posted March 24, 2018 Good review, food for thought. Thanks. Gene Howe and Dadio 2 Quote
Chris Cooper Posted July 4 Report Posted July 4 Has anyone figured out how to get to the cutters? I need to replace/adjust at least one. The trouble is Cutech changed this model (bought mine in 2019), but not one in customer service seems to realize that and keeps sending me instructions for the modified 40700HC-CT. On the newer one, it's much easier to access the cutters. I haven't figured out how to remove the dust chute, item 59, to get at them. Grandpadave52 and lew 2 Quote
Chris Cooper Posted July 4 Report Posted July 4 Found the answer lew, Headhunter and Grandpadave52 3 Quote
Grandpadave52 Posted July 4 Report Posted July 4 (edited) 13 hours ago, Chris Cooper said: Has anyone figured out how to get to the cutters? I need to replace/adjust at least one. The trouble is Cutech changed this model (bought mine in 2019), but not one in customer service seems to realize that and keeps sending me instructions for the modified 40700HC-CT. On the newer one, it's much easier to access the cutters. I haven't figured out how to remove the dust chute, item 59, to get at them. First, welcome to The Patriot Woodworker Chris. Glad you found us and came aboard. Looking forward to your on-going participation with us. Happy you found your answer and shared the video here. No doubt the OP, Herb (aka dadio) would have had the answer for you but sadly he passed away a couple years ago. Herb was a great guy and an extremely talented and creative woodworker. Anyways, keep us updated on what's happening in your shop as well as life in general. Edited July 4 by Grandpadave52 Headhunter 1 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.