Ryobi AP10 snipe

rcg | Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on November 28, 2005 01:28am

I have a Ryobi AP10 portable planer that has seen light, intermediate use during the last ten years. Recently, I have noticed that end snipe, while planing flat stock, is becoming severe. I seemingly remember that end snipe was nonexistent when the machine was new. Is there any adjustment to the planer that can be made to eliminate, or at least, minimize this problem. The technique of gluing extra-long edge strips to the workpiece to eliminate snipe to the work piece ends is an additional inconvenience I am hoping to avoid.

Replies

JohnWW | Nov 28, 2005 01:38am | #1
Snipe gets worse when the blades get dull, so installing fresh blades is always a good place to start when trying to eliminate the problem.

Snipe is basically caused by the cutter head assembly rising slightly as the stock is passed underneath it. Wear or anything that causes the head to be a looser fit on the guide posts will make the problem worse, as will the rubber in the rollers becoming hard with age, which, like dull blades, can increase the upward force on the head unit.

John W.
dennis2 | Nov 28, 2005 10:00am | #2
Hi rcg:

I also have an old ap10. Its been an excellent tool and served me well, but without a locking head there is a fair amount of snipe.

I either leave the boards long so I can cut off the snipe or run a sacrifical board behind the work piece. either works

good luck and be safe

Dennis
spiff | Nov 29, 2005 09:25pm | #3
Try adjusting the out feed table height,solved the problem on my makita. You can also lift the board slightly before it exits the end of the machine .
Telemike | Dec 01, 2005 07:35am | #4
I also have an AP 10; it's now maybe about 20 or more years old. It's been one dependable old workhorse. I agree with what folks on here have said about snipe. Two more points:

If you have multiple boards to plane, put them in touching end to end, one right after the other, so the planer sees one big board.

If a board is long, make sure the ends don't sag going into or out of the planer.

When you need new knives, you're in for a rude surprise. Royobi doesn't support the AP 10 anymore. You have to go to the third party suppliers that are selling off the remaining spare parts. The last pair of blades ran me over $100 from some spare parts outfit in the northwest. You can carefully sharpen them once or twice. Old ones can make a nice drawknife.