New Planer Owner Cutter Head Not Level
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New Planer Owner Cutter Head Not Level
Hello all,
I recently acquired a Shopsmith Planer on an independent stand with motor. The planer is so quiet and the finish is so smooth I am really impressed with it. So the old knives had a few ridges in them and the planer came with a new set of knives so I decided to change them.
I really don't understand how to use that setting tool, it is a mess for me. So I tried the magnetic dial indicator base route. Now comes the problem, my cutter head is higher on one side then the other, like 10 thousandths higher. This is proving to make it a little difficult to judge how to actually set the knives accurately. So is there a way to actually level this cutter head? I have removed the head and bearing blocks and cleaned everything really good. I have tried to wiggle it higher with the low side bolts loose, no go that thing seats firm. I really want to get the magnetic planer knife setting jigs but if the cutter head is not level to the table it will be a problem forever.
I am attaching pics of the what I am experiencing. I guess my question is, what does one do in this case, I guess I can get the magnetic jigs that have some micro adjustment but I would really like to solve the problem instead....
I recently acquired a Shopsmith Planer on an independent stand with motor. The planer is so quiet and the finish is so smooth I am really impressed with it. So the old knives had a few ridges in them and the planer came with a new set of knives so I decided to change them.
I really don't understand how to use that setting tool, it is a mess for me. So I tried the magnetic dial indicator base route. Now comes the problem, my cutter head is higher on one side then the other, like 10 thousandths higher. This is proving to make it a little difficult to judge how to actually set the knives accurately. So is there a way to actually level this cutter head? I have removed the head and bearing blocks and cleaned everything really good. I have tried to wiggle it higher with the low side bolts loose, no go that thing seats firm. I really want to get the magnetic planer knife setting jigs but if the cutter head is not level to the table it will be a problem forever.
I am attaching pics of the what I am experiencing. I guess my question is, what does one do in this case, I guess I can get the magnetic jigs that have some micro adjustment but I would really like to solve the problem instead....
- Attachments
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- Cutter Head Right Side
- IMG_1209.JPG (88.86 KiB) Viewed 2055 times
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- Cutter Head Left Side
- IMG_1210.JPG (98.24 KiB) Viewed 2055 times
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- Cross Bar is pretty level
- IMG_1213.JPG (96.99 KiB) Viewed 2055 times
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- Cross Bar is pretty level
- IMG_1214.JPG (81.97 KiB) Viewed 2055 times
Re: New Planer Owner Cutter Head Not Level
Could it be the table that is not level to the cutter head? Chicken and egg, which is which? I really don't know.
Ed
Ed
{Knight of the Shopsmith} [Hero's don't wear capes, they wear dog tags]
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Re: New Planer Owner Cutter Head Not Level
Trust me I thought about that but the fact that the table is level with the cross bar kind of makes me scratch my head.
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Re: New Planer Owner Cutter Head Not Level
I don't know how accurate the parts of the planer are in relation to each other. The only variance that matters is the relationship of the knives to the table. I would set the knives with your dial indicator and then run a piece of wood through it and then measure the wood to see if it actually makes a difference. You can adjust the table so that would be your next step to make the table parallel to the knives.
Paul
Paul
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Re: New Planer Owner Cutter Head Not Level
Yeah maybe this is the best route, just makes it hard to figure out how far to extend the knives from the cutterhead. Oh well looks like I have some trial and error to work though.
Re: New Planer Owner Cutter Head Not Level
3.reefmespla wrote:Trust me I thought about that but the fact that the table is level with the cross bar kind of makes me scratch my head.
10 thou is really not that much. Do you understand there are blade leveling screws under the blades? I doubt seriously that there is a problem with the cutter head. Do you have the proper line scribed on the SS planer blade setting tool? It works perfectly fine.
John & Mary Burger
Eagle's Lair Woodshop
Hooper, UT
Eagle's Lair Woodshop
Hooper, UT
Re: New Planer Owner Cutter Head Not Level
Huh!masonsailor2 wrote:I don't know how accurate the parts of the planer are in relation to each other. The only variance that matters is the relationship of the knives to the table. I would set the knives with your dial indicator and then run a piece of wood through it and then measure the wood to see if it actually makes a difference. You can adjust the table so that would be your next step to make the table parallel to the knives.
Paul

John & Mary Burger
Eagle's Lair Woodshop
Hooper, UT
Eagle's Lair Woodshop
Hooper, UT
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Re: New Planer Owner Cutter Head Not Level
I agree John. That's why I suggested to run a piece of wood first to see if it even matters. You would only adjust the table as a last resort.
Re: New Planer Owner Cutter Head Not Level
if the planer blades are still sharp, but has a nick or several.
Just move one planer blade one direction.
That way the planer blade will remove the material the other 2 blades missed.
An old shop teacher told me this. and it does work, until you create another nick in the blade or the blades need to be sharpen.
Just move one planer blade one direction.
That way the planer blade will remove the material the other 2 blades missed.
An old shop teacher told me this. and it does work, until you create another nick in the blade or the blades need to be sharpen.
- JPG
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Re: New Planer Owner Cutter Head Not Level
Ahh the 'pleasures' of having a dial indicator.
The left/right pix do not show a left end/right end measurement. The 'left' one is nearer the middle than the end.
Now how about the table itself? Is it 'flat'?
Ya measuring the apex of a round object.
A tail chasing endeavor fer sure.
The left/right pix do not show a left end/right end measurement. The 'left' one is nearer the middle than the end.
Now how about the table itself? Is it 'flat'?
Ya measuring the apex of a round object.
A tail chasing endeavor fer sure.

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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange