Inca Automatic planer-thicknesser (343.190), reconditioned, stock no. 343.190.018

Some machines are worth keeping. The Automatic is one of them.

The Inca Automatic (343.190 · US 510/550/560/570) planes and thicknesses on one machine. Faces and edges are flattened on the 1,040 mm planer table, then boards go through the thicknesser up to 260 mm wide and 160 mm deep.

It comes from Inca, the woodworking brand of a Swiss die-casting works in Teufenthal that also cast parts for Leica cameras.

This machine has a new motor and switch.

Knives and care: it runs double-sided M42 knives on a quick-change system, so you flip or replace them without resetting. The feed drives through plastic pinions, the Automatic's known weak point: keep them lightly greased with Molykote DX.

In the box: the machine and its user manual. The bench in the photos is not included.

Electrics: the Automatic was built for 220 V single phase (1.5 hp) or 380 V three phase (2 hp), with a no-volt release switch and thermal overload protection. Before you order, check the rating plate against your workshop supply: 230 V single phase or 400 V three phase.

Built to last decades. Looked after to last a few more.