Howdy
I have just started having a problem with my Delta 13″ planer. When in use, it will occasionally stop pulling the wood thru. This has happened on narrow and wide boards and the stock is supported on the entrance and exit of the machine. I usually have to push the stock thru for a few seconds before the planer will start grab the stock and feed it itself. It doesn’t happen all the time, but seems to be happening more and more lately. I partially took it apart and inspected the rollers and the blades, and the rollers looked fine. I haven’t changed the blade since I bought it used, but the blades still look descent. Any ideas what may be the culprit?
Thanks in advance,
Shawn
Replies
This problem is usually due to dirty rollers -- you say your's "looked fine", so we assume they are nice and clean? I'd wax the tables and replace the blades.
I will buy some new blades this weekend and try those out.What is the best way to clean them? They did have some wood chips on them and such, I brushed them off. I didn't notice any tears or anything on them. Thanks for the idea, I will try it.
Sharp blades and brushing away the slippage-causing wood chips with a moderately-stiff brush might be sufficient. If there are deposits of cured/polished pitch and such, you may need to clean further with a solvent of some sort, such as alcohol, naptha, etc.. Check with the manufacturer for recommendations, so you don't inadvertently dissolve the rollers with the solvent.
IMHO, best not to use solvents on rubber rollers unless nothing else works (heavy pitch as Ralph mentioned). A household cleaner such as Simple Green, Mr. Clean, etc., will work. When I'm lazy and the stuff isn't tooooo stuck on there, I use cleaning "wipes", but mostly use a cleaning sponge that has the white scrubby side (not green -- too abrasive) and use Simple Green or 409. If you use S.G., be sure to dilute it some.
Squeeze the sponge out good, and with the machine unplugged scrub the rollers. Then plug it in again, flip the switch on/off quickly to advance the rollers, unplug and wipe again in a new spot. Etc., etc. Yes, unplugging is a pain, but too risky not to. If there water left on the surface of the tables or rollers, wipe up and dry. Run your fingers over the rollers to make sure you got it all.
This seems to be an on going prolbem with these planers. I have a freind with the same problems I contacted Delta and they said the problem is usually with dull blades. If this is the case the blades do not last very long and it made the operating of the machines very expensive. As i don't get many board feet threw the machine before I have to repace the blades. Go to face book and bring up Delta and check out the roller tollances. I am not impressed with this planer.
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