Sherwood Thicknessers

A thicknesser trims timber boards to a consistent thickness while flattening the surface. It ensures parallel faces and uniform thickness across all boards, which is essential for joinery and precision work.

A jointer flattens one face and straightens one edge of a board, while a thicknesser makes the opposite face parallel to the flattened one and brings the board to a uniform thickness. Both are often used together for best results.

Spiral cutterheads offer smoother finishes, reduced tear-out (especially in figured or interlocked grain), and quieter operation compared to traditional straight blades. They're highly recommended for demanding work or hardwoods.

Snipe is a shallow dip at the ends of boards. To reduce it, ensure infeed and outfeed tables are level, support longer boards during feed, and feed multiple boards end-to-end to keep pressure consistent under the cutterhead.

Yes, but it's best to flatten one face with a jointer or hand plane first. Feeding a warped or cupped board directly into a thicknesser may result in uneven cuts or kickback. Start with one stable reference face.

Spiral inserts should be rotated when you notice a decline in cut quality, such as tear-out or burn marks. Most inserts have four edges and can be rotated three times before replacement is needed.

Choose based on the width of timber you typically work with. A 13–15 inch benchtop model suits most home workshops, while larger floor-standing models are ideal for professional use and wide timber boards.

Yes, thicknessers generate a large volume of chips and dust. A proper dust extraction system improves visibility, prevents clogging, protects your lungs, and extends the life of the machine by reducing debris buildup.

It's risky. Metal can damage cutterheads or cause injury. Always check and remove embedded nails or screws before using a thicknesser. Use a metal detector if necessary to locate hidden fasteners.