Type of machine
Jointer Planer ComboManufacturer
AxminsterDesigned in
United Kingdom
Production status
New
User rating (1 vote)
 Jointing width: 260 mm |
 Power: 2200 W |
 Max jointing depth: 4 mm |
Tables length: 1100 mm |
| Type of Cutters: 44 four-sided cutters | Fence Tilt: 90-45 ° |
| Planer width: 260 mm |
Power: 2200 W |
| Max depth of cut: 2 mm |
|
| Max workpiece height: 190 mm | Feed rate(s): 5m/min |
The Axminster Trade AT260SPT is one of the most affordable planer thicknessers (jointer planer) with a spiral cutterhead. Except for the cutterhead, it is identical to Axminster’s normal AT260PT (without the S).
The AT260SPT has 44 individual tungsten carbide cutters, which have four sharp sides. When one sharp side gets dull, or damaged, you can unscrew it, rotate it 90 degrees and return to using the machine.
Spiral cutterheads are quieter than normal planer blades, last longer due to having four sharp sides instead of one (or 2 on throwaway blades), and also deal better with difficult grains and knotty wood. They are also easier to set up, and don’t need to be calibrated every time they are replaced.
What makes this planer thicknesser special is not just that it has a spiral cutterhead, but also the price at which it delivers that. Not many brands offer machines of this size with spiral cutters in the first place, and the ones that do are significantly more expensive.
Usually if a product is offered at a low price, there have been some sacrifices, either in features or in quality. This does not seem to be the case here, and most user reviews are very favorable. The only downsides mentioned is that calibration can be a bit of a pain and that you need to remove the fence every time you switch between planing and thicknessing.
There is also a larger version of this machine, called the AT310SPT, which other than being bigger, is almost identical.
One interesting feature that is standard on this machine is the digital height gauge. On most other machines this is an optional feature you need to pay extra for.
Replacement Cutters: If you need to replace some of the cutters, Axminster sells replacement TCT cutters in packs of 10.
There is a lot of hype around spiral cutters, but what are their benefits? And are they worth the extra cost?
Best (and perhaps only) choice for people looking for an affordable jointer planer with spiral cutterhead.
Know a useful link or video for the Axminster Trade AT260SPT Planer Thicknesser? Send me a message, and I'll update the page with your info.
Reviews and Videos
Setting up the AT260SPT
youtube.com
Andy of The Woodgrafter shows how to set up a new AT260SPT
Using the AT260SPT
youtube.com
Another video by Andy of the Woodgrafter, showing in detail how to use the AT260SPT
Calibrating the AT260SPT
youtube.com
Extremely helpful video for calibrating the AT260SPT, including the digital and analog gauges, thicknessing table, and jointer tables.
Axminster video about Spiral Cutters
youtube.com
Video by Axminster showing the spiral cutterheads on their machines. Actually show the AT310SPT, but that is just a larger version of the AT260SPT.
How to set up a planer thicknesser
youtube.com
Video by Axminster that shows step-by-step how to set up a planer thicknesser. Actually uses this machine as an example.
General
Machine Footprint
axminster.co.uk
Technical drawing of the dimensions. Helpful if you want to know if it fits in your workshop.
Official Page on Axminster Site
axminstertools.com
Official page of the Axminster Trade AT260SPT on Axminster's site.
Manuals
Official Manual [PDF]
axminster.co.uk
The official manual for the Axminster Trade AT260SPT Planer Thicknesser.
Ask questions or share your experiences with the Axminster Trade AT260SPT Planer Thicknesser with others
Handpicked alternative machines for the Axminster Trade AT260SPT Planer Thicknesser
A good alternative if you don't necessarily need spiral cutters. Quite a bit cheaper and otherwise exactly the same machine as the AT260SPT.
This Jet Jointer Planer lacks the spiral cutters, but provides a larger (310mm) cutting width. It also has longer tables (which is a limitation of the Axminster machine), and they are easier to move up and down.
All the specs and options for the Axminster Trade AT260SPT Planer Thicknesser
| General | |
|---|---|
| Weight (standard configuration) | 182 kg |
| Total height | 970 mm |
| Total width | 900 mm |
| Motor | |
| Motor Voltage | 1x 230V |
| Extra Features and Options | |
|---|---|
| Mobile Base | Option |
| Digital Height Gauge | Included |
| Jointer | |
|---|---|
| Jointing width | 260 mm |
| Max depth of cut | 4 mm |
| Tables length | 1100 mm |
| Type of cutters | 44 four-sided cutters |
| Fence tilt | 90-45° |
| Planer | |
|---|---|
| Planer Width | 260 mm |
| Max depth of cut | 2 mm |
| Max workpiece height | 190 mm |
| Feed rate(s) | 5m/min |
Did you find an error in our data? Send me a message, and I'll update the page with your info.
© Machine Atlas 2024
Are you sure the mobile base is included in this AT260SPT planer thicknesser? It doesn’t say it is on the Axminster website or in the catalogue, they do show it as an £150 accessory.
Hi Darren, it might have been a temporary deal at the time I was writing this article. I’ve updated it now to correct this. Thanks for pointing it out.