Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 05, 2004 08:42am | #1

   Is this the first time you've changed the blades?  What I've found with Delta (the 12.5" planer and one of their small drill presses) is that things get way over-tightened at the factory.  The first time I changed my planer blades, it was hell getting the screws out.  I've been careful since then not to overtighten and haven't had any more problems.  I don't know if the 12" planer has the same design.

   Maybe ToolGuy will come along and help out.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   JohnWW | Dec 05, 2004 06:24pm | #2

   You'll have to go to Delta for bolts like that. There probably wasn't anything wrong with them in any case, so the replacements should work fine.

   As already mentioned, it isn't uncommon for the factories to over tighten the bolts, that, combined with a lack of lubrication and a poorly made wrench is probably what caused your problem. Being this is the first time you have replaced the knives, I'd contact Delta and ask for replacements even if the machine is out of warranty. Replace all of the bolts, in case there was a manufacturing flaw with the original bolts.

   Using a hardened bolt may not be advisable even if you could find one, the risk then would be that you would strip the threads in the bar if the bolts were overtightened. It won't do any harm to put a bit of grease on the bolt threads when you install the new knives.

   John W.

1. 
   lwj2 | Dec 05, 2004 07:09pm | #3

   You might check with a specialist fastener supplier. I'd take one of them with me to show them.Delta's used proprietary fasteners before, I well recall how much I was charged for bolts to replace missing ones on an older Delta machine I was re-habbing.AFI have been really good about the whacko that wanders in and announces "I need a half-dozen of these, any chance you've got them?"http://www.automotivefasteners.com/Leon Jester, Roanoke VA

3. 
   BG | Dec 05, 2004 07:23pm | #4

   Ralph027,
   Like yourself and FG, I too had a difficult time getting the blades replaced the first time because of the tightness. Recently, I noticed that several screws on my 12 1/2" planner were missing, nothing too critical, but still...
   I'd be careful using substitutes or anything that would diminish the grip of the screws...

    

1. 
   Ralph027 | Dec 06, 2004 07:20am | #5

   Thanks everyone.

1. 
   Ralph027 | Dec 11, 2004 12:10pm | #6

   An update:  

   After an hour on the phone locating replacement bolts 2hrs away, I decided to call Delta.  After a short wait on hold, I spoke to a human.  She was pleasant and helpful.  I was sent 6 replacement bolts(3 extra on request) in 2 days, free.  It was covered by the warranty.  Yea Delta!