Metabo HC260C Planer Thicknesser - Out of the Box - Set up and Assembly Tutorial

In this video I set up the Metabo HC260C Planer Thicknesser straight out of the box. Watch this step-by-step guide to putting this machine together and get to see it in action once set up is complete.
If this video has been of interest or even better, of some help in setting up your Metabo then please subscribe to this channel and follow Spelling and Sons Woodworking for more woodworking content.
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[@antosavo3558]

For all miserable like myself: that bloody microswitch preventing the start in Planner mode is set under the table, on the left side, facing the machine as planner. See very careful the chapter in manual "Surface planer mode" - Place dust collector connector (this
is not the chip chute mentioned in step 1!) below the infeed table into the machine. Observe correct position of the dust collector connector: ... slide dust collector connector in until the point of intersection of shaft and axis below the infeed table (arrow) is exactly above the matching seat of the dust collector connector. 9. Crank the thicknesser bed carefully up to secure the dust collector connector in position. 10. Connect a suitable dust collector to the suction port of the dust collector connector. 11. Cover the cutterblock with the cutterblock guard extrusion. Metabo should have paid much more attention to this chapter and very clear pictures. Besides this, the machine works just fine.

[@markmather4161]

Are you still going to do a video on how to set it up? How was the use experience so far?

[@matthewpennock6241]

Hi realy interested in setting mine up - just assembled it and as you say the instructions were dreadful !

[@spellingandsonswoodworking]

Hi Matthew, hopefully you managed to get it together ok in the end!! Watch this space for a set up video, will aim to get it done asap. Cheers!

[@shanecummins5108]

Great review and quite prescient as it so happens. I've just purchased one and I'll be putting it together in the next couple of days. You mentioned a follow-up video of setting it up. That would be fantastic. I assume it's a case of getting the two tables co-planer and then adjusting the knives if needs be. I understand you can't adjust the infeed table (beyond depth of cut) like you can the outfeed. Anyway, thanks for the review. Liked and subscribed.

[@spellingandsonswoodworking]

Hi Shane, thanks! Yes, I’ll try and shoot that set-up vid as soon as I can. Yes, you are correct. To set up, once tables are level the knives are adjusted accordingly. Metabo suggest using an aluminium straight edge to work out by how much. It’s a case of turning the cutter block by hand (unplugged!) in the direction it cuts (towards infeed table), at which point at its peak the blade should pick up the straight edge and move it 4-6mm. Do that across the width of the blade and you should be good to go! Pretty much anyway! Cheers

[@shanecummins5108]

@@spellingandsons Thanks. In your opinion, does it stay true to your original setup when changing between modes, or does it need a bit of a tune-up when switching back to planer mode for instance?

[@spellingandsonswoodworking]

Certainly not a bad habit to check periodically. Main thing that needs checking is the fence as it has to come on and off between modes and does get knocked out of square. It’s not the best fence in the world tbh. I’ve used it for about a month now and the rest of the machine stays pretty true.

[@shanecummins5108]

@@spellingandsons Sounds good. A few other reviews of this machine or it's alternatively branded sibling, seem to suggest that the fence is indeed a bit sloppy. I have a Triton thicknesser, which I have been using with a sled, shims and hot glue to flatten stock but that has become really tedious and fussy. Couldn't get a separate jointer of any reasonable quality/price here in Ireland or UK, so I went for the combo. Will possibly leave it in jointer mode and use the Triton for thicknessing. Thanks again and looking forward to your ext installment.

[@SteveBlethyn]

Just got myself this machine, delivered a day after surgery on my hand so I'm sat here staring at the box 😂

[@jackrounding7134]

Just tried to set mine up, wouldn't start so I need to fiddle with it to activate the micrto switches I think

[@spellingandsonswoodworking]

Yeah, almost certainly will be those micro switches. Which mode is it in? I found that the thicknesser bed needed to be raised up enough to engage the switch, assuming it is in planer (jointer) mode. Also when in thicknesser mode the chip chute needs to be flipped over correctly for it to work, make sure it's almost touching the infeed table. Let me know if you get it working!! Good luck!

[@antosavo3558]

Thanks a lot! Mine came without installation manual, so this video was helpful.

[@stefanm5433]

Great explanatio. I was thinking about buying this planer. Did it live to your expectation? How is the quality of the machine? Thanks

[@jamies_adventures]

Lovely video. Who knew that me old mate does this sort of stuff as well! (it's obviously been way too long). Man of many talents indeed. Good luck with the channel man! JG :-)

[@spellingandsonswoodworking]

Thanks so much mate. Means a lot from you!!

[@mikifr573]

What type of socket does it use for electricity? Single-phase or three-phase

[@grahambale9168]

excellent video. Im a chippy and have just purchased this exact model and to be honest your thoughts mirror my own. Not the easiest of instruction manuals hence why i'm on here looking for info. It's certainly helped as i couldn't make out why it wouldn't work in surface mode but now i know that the micro switch wasn't engaged, doh.

[@spellingandsonswoodworking]

Thanks for your comments Graham! I’m glad the video helped a little!! Best of luck with your purchase.

[@MiniPerssonSwe]

I see at 4:50 u have moved the washers for the the Rod?

[@djVania08]

Review after some time?

[@hombredeletras8112]

Clear presentational style, informative and shot really nicely; In the words of Alan Partridge, Lovely Stuff.
On the subject of the HC260, I’ve just purchased myself one and will shortly be setting it up. You mentioned the possibility of shooting a calibration video, is there any ETA on that? Would be mighty helpful for a first time PT setter-upper.
Great job, thanks for this one, subscribed and looking forward to future topics

[@Caparico]

Any idea when will the promised video about making the Metabo PT cut an accurate 90 degrees come out?

[@antosavo3558]

Minute 4:50 in this video is key installation moment. Thanks once more!

[@JakeJeffries-o8b]

Thank you so much for this. The instructions were a maze to me, you made a daunting task incredibly simple

[@sixtiethofasecond]

Thank the Lord you were there during setup

[@colinperkins7564]

Can you use it in thicknesser mode without either infeed or out feed table attached?

[@morowalimorowali6190]

Thank you very much, it was a great help 🙂👍

[@Itstimetogogo]

Thanks for that, super helpful 🙏🤝

[@tomnewey930]

Very straightforward, lucid and clear!

[@spellingandsonswoodworking]

Thank you!

[@fowerTwo]

The instructions are odd but this video is way worst