knife setting on generic 15″ planer
This is my first post here in about 3 years. I’ve been out of the shop about that long due to health problems, new business, etc. etc. But am now trying to pick up where I left off and am currently in the middle of a full kitchen remodel in which I’m building all the cabinetry etc. So my question is: I have a 4 year old Powermatic 15″ planer. It’s their cheap Imported model which I believe is the same one sold by most of the big name tool manufactures. I’ve never gotten very good results from it, even after spending much time “tuning” to their manual specs, etc. The biggest problem is having the knives move when doing the final tightening using the jig that came with the machine. I spent about an hour trying to install freshly sharpened knives and still cannot get them to set level in the cutter head. It’s off far enough that it’s cutting at a taper. I tried running some 2″ face frame stock on edge just to clean up the saw marks and it put a slight taper across the whole lot. Not good. Are there any aftermarket jigs or tricks to use on these machines, or is it a case of you get what you pay for? I really don’t mind spending the time to set up machinery but it’s frustrating when you cannot get the results you want.
Replies
Dear Jon,
I don't own a stationary planer (yet), but I have looked into them. There is a product called "Dispoz-a-blade" that is listed in the main "Grizzly" catalog on pg 39. I don't believe that it is a "Grizzly" product, just carried by them. In any event, it is a system that replaces the blades that you have with double sided mini blades. The main benefit is that you only have to set the blades once and then the new mini blades seem simple to replace. I am not doing it justice here. It would seem the way to go. The other option might be to contact Powermatic. They just came out with an upgraded version of your planer that has a SPIRAL cutter-head. I like that. No blade setting, quiet operation, that appeals to me. Perhaps the new cutter-head would fit into your machine or maybe its time to upgrade! (Its always time for that!)
Good Luck,
John
Jon, I have a 13" planer and had the same problem setting knives as you have. Remove knife and jib. Clean thoroughly both jib and knife. Spray jib and knife with litheoum grease and replace knife. Set knife to height , I found that snugging outside screws first and then screws in middle worked best. Snug all screws a bit at a time. Do same to all knives. The trick is to clean and lubricate knives. Same process for jointer knives.I saw this on a website last year that describes it very well, do a search for Benchmark woodworking page.
mike
The supplied jig worked out OK for me on my Delta DC-380 (15 inch Taiwanese planer)..
As previously suggested, you might want to make sure everything is clean and there are no burrs on the face of the knives or jib's.. Also as suggested might want to slightly tighten the outer most screws first and then work your way from the next most outside, then so on..Kind of 'sneak up' on the desired level of tightness on the gib screws
Hope this helps
Jon,
Two possibilities beyond what others have already suggested:
1. Using a file, clean up the ends of the gib screws, they should be slightly rounded rather than flat and rough which is the usual on low end machines. A rough screw end will grab the gib as the screw is tightened and lift the gib and knife upward. If the gib screws are sharp pointed, which is a less common design, just clean up the point and make sure it is centered.
2. You may very well be setting the knives properly in the cutter head, it is quite possible that the head isn't parallel to the table, and that needs to be corrected.
John W.
I will try dressing the screws and clean and lubing everything, that makes sense. I'm pretty sure the cutting head is parallel. At least it was when I bought it and made the tool to check it. The machine has been rolled around a lot on a rough floor but I would think it would take more than that to knock it out of alignment? I will check it again and throw a few more hours at the knives. Thanks for all your replies. JW
Jon,
I finally broke down and bought two "Planer Pals" for Grizzly. Magnetic gadgets and not real cheap. Gets me within .002 all the way around. Used to get a bit closer with the old method but it would take most of a day. My tolerance for frustration has decreased exponentially with age! I now get close enough in about 20 min. M2CW
Mack
I have a “setting planer knives” article on my web if you are interested. A lot of the advise already given is basically cleaning everything and making sure mating parts can slide or more properly be adjusted into the correct position. It is amazing how these little details can make such a big difference. I use a couple of dial indicators to set mine and it works like a charm.
PMB
http://benchmark.20m.com
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