Dial Guage Setup for Setting Planer Knives

[jmilligan]

If you have watched the online demo on setting planer knives in Saw Dust Sesson #20, Nick Engler uses a dial guage and a magnetic stand to precisely check or set the 3 planner knives. I found the same magnetic stand on sale today at Harbor Freight for $8.99. I also found a dial guage that attaches to the stand (just like in the video) on sale for $9.99.

The dial gauge doesn't come with different tips like the Shopsmith one, but for the price I can make a small hard wood block for the tip with the drill press and bandsaw -- or flatten the end with the sanding disk. I did compare the Harbor Freight dial indicator with the one that comes with the expensive Woodpecker miter guage set up ($100) and it is the same dial indicator!

I am careful about stuff made in China. I don't eat it or feed it to my dog but sometimes you can find decent items.

[a1gutterman]

...I am careful about stuff made in China. I don't eat it or feed it to my dog but sometimes you can find decent items.

Me too: I try to avoid anything made in China that is/will/may be putting Americans out of work.

[alisfair]

wonder if one could place a dial indicator at each end of the blade when setting blades would expedite the installation?

[alisfair]

wonder if one could place a dial indicator at each end of the blade when setting blades would expedite the installation?

[mountainbreeze]

If you have watched the online demo on setting planer knives in Saw Dust Sesson #20, Nick Engler uses a dial guage and a magnetic stand to precisely check or set the 3 planner knives. I found the same magnetic stand on sale today at Harbor Freight for $8.99. I also found a dial guage that attaches to the stand (just like in the video) on sale for $9.99.

The dial gauge doesn't come with different tips like the Shopsmith one, but for the price I can make a small hard wood block for the tip with the drill press and bandsaw -- or flatten the end with the sanding disk. I did compare the Harbor Freight dial indicator with the one that comes with the expensive Woodpecker miter guage set up ($100) and it is the same dial indicator!

I am careful about stuff made in China. I don't eat it or feed it to my dog but sometimes you can find decent items.

I just replaced the blades in my planer two days ago. I too watched the sawdust session before getting started. I was on my way to HF for the magnetic base but something made stop and check - sure enough, aluminum table. No trip to HF necessary.

So I spent the next hour or so designing and building a jig that holds my dial indicator in an appropriate position for setting the blades. I didn't expect it to work very well but it actually did a good job.

Is the pro planer the only one with a cast iron table?

[letterk]

Is the pro planer the only one with a cast iron table?

Yes, the Shopsmith attachment planner would be too heavy with cast iron tables.

I struggled to set my blades with the dial indicator, but I've only done it once.

[charlese]

I prefer adhering a piece of window glass to the out-feed table with rare earth magnets and aligning the cutters to the bottom of the glass.

Simple and exact.

[alisfair]

sounds reasonable but don't they still want to pull away from magnet when you tighten them down? Seems like dial indicator would show the slightest movement. I guess you could see it through the glass ? Must work for you and thanks for posting.
Tom

[billmayo]

I prefer adhering a piece of window glass to the out-feed table with rare earth magnets and aligning the cutters to the bottom of the glass.

Simple and exact.

Any pictures available for those of us who have trouble vision this setup. Thanks.

[charlese]

Nopic butmaybecan do a sketch.

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