Wagner Safe-T Planer

[lyall]

to stop the table from moving down, I use a hydraulic bottle jack to support the table top carriage. It is easy to lower or raise the table top carriage with the bottle jack.

[BuckeyeDennis]

I suppose the planer is only as safe as the user.

A bit of user error here with initial setup. I just used the drill chuck this time to quickly set everything up since I had it ready to go.

Here are some pictures of the results and the misadventure with the shopsmith table.

Looks pretty cool in the drill chuck.



As you can see, it gouged a thin bit out of the surface of the table. Note to self, when in drill press mode, really tighten up the head stock lock! I noticed that the head was slowly drifting downward during operation so immediately shut it off, but not before the surface planer just touched on the surface. Not a deep gouge and the table is still quite useable. A battle scar of ineptitude on the user's part. Doh!



These are thin angled planes so I could see if it would work with making some interesting picture frame forms. I ran it around 1600-1700 rpm just for starters, likely those rough marks would smooth out at higher rpms and possibly with using the more stable router bit chuck. Also, I hope that this isn't because it scraped the table prior to the planing part, but could be. I would hate to have damaged it since they are discontinued and the blades no longer exist. Not sure how well the non-original blades some people are selling would work.



So.... I learned a very important lesson.

Those cutters can be sharpened. Did you get the original sharpening wheel along with the planer? That just might help with your smoothness issue.

[Sazerac81]

to stop the table from moving down, I use a hydraulic bottle jack to support the table top carriage. It is easy to lower or raise the table top carriage with the bottle jack.

Good to know, but it wasn't the carriage securing the table that was slipping, it was the whole headstock slowly sliding down while the motor was running. I usually don't excessively tighten the headstock in horizontal position, but I guess gravity tends to work it's magic in the vertical position.

Cheers,
John

[Sazerac81]

I did receive the grinding wheel and I have sharpened them now that they've tasted aluminum and steel.

I will likely boost the rpm a bit, however, I like the rough milled look and may try to preserve some of that for a more rustic picture frame.

Cheers,
John

[reible]

I like to use a piece of plywood on the main table when using tools like this. Same thing with drilling, you want to try and keep your main table in as good of condition as you can.

You will also find it a good idea to make a fence arrangement that will help control the stock. I had made one for my 500 table that made use of a pivot which worked really well. By making the fence a part of the table cover you will find the tool much more use able and safer.

Looking forward to you sharing the picture frame ideas you have and how well this planner works for them.

Ed

[lyall]

to stop the table from moving down, I use a hydraulic bottle jack to support the table top carriage. It is easy to lower or raise the table top carriage with the bottle jack.

Good to know, but it wasn't the carriage securing the table that was slipping, it was the whole headstock slowly sliding down while the motor was running. I usually don't excessively tighten the headstock in horizontal position, but I guess gravity tends to work it's magic in the vertical position.

Cheers,
John

You can always put a block of wood between the headstock and carriage.
Or make a wooden clamp to wholed the headstock in place.