Replies

1. 
   ABenker | Oct 07, 2003 11:31pm | #1

   I went with the Esta dispoza blade system for my jet 15" and am glad I did. No messing around with resharpening and no adjusting once you have initially set the knife holder. They may not hold up as long as solid blades, but since they are double sided and only cost $45/pair you get two sharp sides for the price of one resharpening.

   Aaron

1. 
   BOBABEUI | Oct 08, 2003 03:46pm | #2

   Aaron,

   Interesting idea, looks kind of pricey though, from what I see on the web site. The setup required for Jet 15 can't be too far off from a Delta 15 inch. If you don't mind me asking, about how much did the Esta setup set you back?

   The esta knife holder just drops into the cutter head, without any further adjustments necessary

1. 
   ABenker | Oct 08, 2003 06:47pm | #3

   I believe it was around $250-$280 and that might have included a few sets of blades, I don't remember. It is an investment, but I was spending about $50 for sharpening one side of my original blades through woodcraft. I wasn't happy with the resharpened blades either. I was also looking at getting a second set of standard blades for the planner which cost $100. To me the investment in the esta over the long haul is cheaper. This is just a hobby for me also so I would think anyone making a living off of my planner would really benefit.

   I was sold on the disposable knives after visiting Northwest Timbers in Oregon. Lewis Judy specializes in quilted maples and other figured woods. While visiting I asked him how come his rough lumber has no tear out and looks like it was sanded. He said he doesn't bother with sharpening his planner knives he uses disposables. He has to plain everything for grading the lumber. His system is not esta, but that was enough for me. If I do some work with tiger or birdseye maple, I just trow in a new set of blades and start plaining (it works great). Then switch back to some of the slightly used blades for all other woods.

   Aaron

1. 
   wop | Oct 08, 2003 11:15pm | #4

       Man do you guys have some high prices on sharpening. My main supplier for cutter heads and blades charges €4.00 ($4.50) for 3 standard blades, the shop here in town charges €10.00 for three blades,both do a good job,razor sharp blades. I use the Esta system too but not for cost only for speed I can change the 4 blades in my planer head in five minutes with out even havig to think or be careful about alignment.

                                                                               Philip

1. 
   PlaneWood | Oct 09, 2003 12:35am | #5

   For 25 years I have installed and lined up the knives in my old 12" Parks planer by eye-ball.  I just line the top of the bevel on the back of the blade with the top of the slot on the drum.

   I always check, though, to make sure the drum is still parallel with the bed.  I've only had to adjust the bed once.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

2. 
   BOBABEUI | Oct 11, 2003 04:18pm | #9

   Philip,

   Price is not the half of it.. Most of the time the knifes come back duller then when they were set to the sharpener, at least for the three different sharping shops that I have tried so far!

3. 
   PlaneWood | Oct 13, 2003 04:12am | #10

   bob - sent then to MVP sharpeners here in Houston.  I think you'll be pleased with his work.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

4. 
   BOBABEUI | Oct 13, 2003 07:17pm | #11

   Planewood,

   Thanks for the tip, will keep them in mind for next sharping job..

5. 
   clampman2 | Oct 14, 2003 07:04pm | #12

   Planewood,

   I have been setting my knives the same way you do since 88. Two of the guys I work with have taken up the practice.

   It doesn't surprise me a bit that it works well for you. What surprises me is that you would publicly espouse such heresy, especially in this forum.

   Clampman

6. 
   PlaneWood | Oct 15, 2003 07:43am | #13

   Well, I tried several gadgets for setting the blades many years ago, then just settled on the eye ball method.  Heck of a lot quicker.  Works for me.  But, luckily, the top of the rear slot on the drum of the old Parks defines a nice fine line.   The blades currently in are old Wisconsin Knife Works blades and have been in for about 6 months.  They have been mostly used to plane cocobolo, rosewood, and other exotics.  Darn good blades. I have 3 sets of them.

   MVP Sharpeners is the first shop I have found that doesn't royally screw up the edge.  I could tell horror stories on some shops up in Tulsa.

   Story to tell -

   The Parks planer I have is a heavy beastie.  Must weigh 300 lbs, motor, dolly, and all.  Once it got away from me when moving it and it fell over right on the corner of the front bed.  Broke off a corner that included the front right guide rails.  Well, after a bit of studying, I got some JB Weld and glued and clamped that sucker back together.  That was 12 years ago and it still works fine and going strong!   I had to go rent a motor puller to right that monster.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

2. 
   Elcoholic | Oct 09, 2003 10:08pm | #6

   Source for the ESTA conversion? 

   How do the replaceables sold by Grizzly compare to ESTA's?John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

2. 
   timberrattler | Oct 09, 2003 10:15pm | #7

   Just replaced the knives on my Delta 15" (pretty sure it's the 380, bought it 2 years ago)planer last week. Pretty easy just have to be patient. My planer came with a device to help set the knives to the correct height and parallel. I also found the owners manual in the first drawer I looked right were it was supposed to be(which I still can't believe). The blades were replacements from Delta and the first board out had a nice sheen on the surface. Don't hesitate it really wasn't that bad. If you need the owners man or the tool to set the knives let me know and I'll send them out to you.

1. 
   BOBABEUI | Oct 11, 2003 04:11pm | #8

   Circlekid,

   Thanks so much for your generous offer, for the use of your Delta owners manual or the knife setting jig. After some searching around I have found them. I am glad to hear that replacing the knifes in the planer was not too bad.. I have heard so many horror stories about replacing the knifes, it kind of had me worried..I will give it a go, those ESTA knifes that Aaron mentioned, sound like a great Xmas gift

   Edited 10/11/2003 9:15:17 AM ET by BOBABEUI