Planer Problem fixed with Laxative!
About a year ago i bought a reconditioned delta planer off of ubid.com, got it home and it worked for a while. But after a month or so, it didn’t seem to want to move the wood through, almost like the rollers weren’t turning. After a while, it got to the point where i was pushing the wood as hard as i could and pulling it out the other end. It got rather frustrating, and at the same time, i got some hand planes for my birthday, so i switched to using those.
Yesterday i decided i was going to make it work no matter what. I pulled out the manual, and decided that the problem was the outfeed roller was to high, so i messed around with the adjustments and set it perfectly according to the manual. I turned it on, and just like that!…..it still didn’t work. In a moment of desperation i noticed that there was quite a bit of sap on the base of the planer. “could that be the problem? is it just sticky?” i thought to myself.
So i got a bottle of mineral oil i use on our butcher block in the kitchen, and wiped the base of the planer to lubricate it. Turned it on, and the board ran through like a dream!
I’m sure there’s some clever moral to this story regarding the powers of mineral oil, but i just can’t seem to come up with one.
Just thought i’d share.
Replies
You probably already know this, :) but mineral oil on the wood may interfere with your choice of finish. Paste wax ought to work about as well. Avoid car waxes, which often contain silicone, which also interferes with some finishes.
the wood i ran through i was actually gonna use mineral oil on, make a cutting board or something.
But thanks for the info.
There are products specifically made to lubricate those sliding surfaces for woodworking. Usually they say they are for the surface of a table saw, but they work great for the sliding surface of a planer. I use it on my planer regularly. Also, car paste wax works good, though it, like mineral oil, can be left on the surface of the board and effect finish later.
Thanks Ed W, what would the name of the products specifically made that you use?
The product I use is Top-Cote. You can buy it from Woodcraft. $12 a can.
I would have mentioned the name of the product yesterday, but I did not remember it, and since I was at my real job, not at my shop, I could not go look. There are probably other, comparable products, I just know of this one, and it works for me.
I can't imagine a product that will slick up a tool surface better, easier, or simplier than Johnson's (or any other) paste wax. Deters rust too. To my knowledge, in small quantities, does not effect subsequent petro distillate borne finishes as it is disolved by them. Available at the nearest Piggly Wiggly, Albertsons, or hardware store.
jdg
Mikkimel,
Try Butcher's (brand name) Clear Bowling Alley Paste Wax. Follow the directions on the can, and you'll find the wood practically skates across the machine! You'll find it at hardware stores and the home centers.
... it works for me!
Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled