New Planer Owner Cutter Head Not Level

[reefmespla]

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....

[reible]

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

[reefmespla]

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.

[masonsailor2]

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

[reefmespla]

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.

[jsburger]

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.

3.

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.

[jsburger]

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

Huh! Why and how would you do that? 10 thou, that is a blade adjustment with the leveling screws for the blades.

[masonsailor2]

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.

[lyall]

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.

[JPG]

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.