SS Planer

[JPG]

I had a similar 'issue' with the power station. I reversed each cam shaft(end for end horizontally). That placed the foot pedals facing out.

[dgreen810]

update: I thought I had cured the "rattling" sound that was present when I purchased the unit by setting the pulleys in line which did stop the loud noise temporarily. it started rattling again so I got into it in depth.The pulley had come loose again.

The 3/16 key was nowhere to be found, the pulley was tightened to the flat on the shaft. I cut a new key and re-installed the pulley with the set screw mating to the key. Should solve the problem you would think, think again. Then found out the pulley wasn't running true. Someone had probably run the unit for a while with the pulley loose and screwed up the bore. The pulleys are cast aluminum and better to lose a pulley than a shaft. I called SS for a replacement part # 517913, to the tune of $23.18 plus $10.50 shipping. She also told me the replacement was "Steel". This tells me SS probably has had issues and went from aluminum to steel. In any case I ordered a replacement for $6.69 plus 6.99 shipping from MFG Supply Co.

I also made a spacer from a piece of conduit that will keep the pulley from working it's way towards the cutter shaft in the event that it comes loose again.

Don G

I hope this is the last surprise

[ERLover]

update: I thought I had cured the "rattling" sound that was present when I purchased the unit by setting the pulleys in line which did stop the loud noise temporarily. it started rattling again so I got into it in depth.The pulley had come loose again.

The 3/16 key was nowhere to be found, the pulley was tightened to the flat on the shaft. I cut a new key and re-installed the pulley with the set screw mating to the key. Should solve the problem you would think, think again. Then found out the pulley wasn't running true. Someone had probably run the unit for a while with the pulley loose and screwed up the bore. The pulleys are cast aluminum and better to lose a pulley than a shaft. I called SS for a replacement part # 517913, to the tune of $23.18 plus $10.50 shipping. She also told me the replacement was "Steel". This tells me SS probably has had issues and went from aluminum to steel. In any case I ordered a replacement for $6.69 plus 6.99 shipping from MFG Supply Co.

Good for your diagnosis, it helps many here, even though not many have SS Planers. I support the MS on things, but I am frugal, so ya know !!

I also made a spacer from a piece of conduit that will keep the pulley from working it's way towards the cutter shaft in the event that it comes loose again.

Don G

I hope this is the last surprise

Good for your diagnosis, it helps many here, even though not many have SS Planers. I support the MS on things, but I am frugal, so ya know !!

[dgreen810]

Believe it or not this Saga continues. I received the new pulley from MFG Supply Co. yesterday. Installed it on the planer shaft with a new key, put the belt on, Fired it up only to find the pulley "Wobbled" so bad, I instantly shut it down. Removed the pulley and slipped it on the 5/8" output shaft on the SS to check run-out to see if the problem was the pulley or the shaft on the planer. Thankfully the problem is the pulley. I can frankly say, I have never seen a 3" pulley that wobbled like this. Will call MFG in the morning to see if they will replace it.

Don G

[dgreen810]

Can someone confirm that this Pro Planer was originally supplied with a 3" cutter pulley and a 3" motor pulley? Mine has a 3" cutter pulley and a 5" motor pulley. The reason I ask is, I almost ordered a planer upgrade that seems to be what I have now. The description says it includes a 3" and 5".
If this is true then the original ran at 3450 RPM or 1:1. This one is running at 5750 RPM. Will someone confirm this please?

The owner's manual say's the pulleys are 3" and 5", if so then the so called upgrade is of no use!, or am I missing something?

I am tempted to try a 2 1/2" cutter pulley to increase the speed to 6900RPM.

Opinions??

Don G

[JPG]

Originally it came with a 1.5 hp motor and the 3" pulleys.

Later the motor was increased to 1.75 hp and the 5" pulley was included. *

Check the motor plate,

* I am currently not sure this is correct!

[dgreen810]

Update:

I have replaced the original cast aluminum pulleys with cast iron pulleys. The upper pulley is 3.05", the lower pulley is 5.4" which increased the cutter to RPM 6149, instead of 5750 RPM or an increase of 399 RPM. Since the original belt was too short replaced it with a Grizzley link belt. Both pulleys now run perfectly true and there is absolutely no vibration. Also runs much quieter. I haven't planned a board yet, but wonder if the increase in speed will try to bog the motor down. I have some 10 1/2" wide Pecan and 10" Black Walnut to see how it will respond. I want to dress the blades first and will post the results.

Don G

[jsburger]

I think that there is something that some people miss about the SS planer. The variable feed rate. Does any other planer in the industry have that?

Cuts per inch is the defining factor. The only way planers with a fixed feed rate can change the cuts per inch is change the cutter head RPM. That is what Dewalt does with their two speed lunch box. Their two speed 735 planer cuts 96 or 179 cuts per inch.

With the SS you change the cuts per inch with the variable feed rate. 72 - 205 CPI (infinitely variable BTW) for the Pro Planer at a cutter head RPM of 5750 . Another 400RPM will increase the 205CPI a bit but what for? The Dewalt at 96 or 179CPI is the cats meow if you listen to the hype. I never run my Pro Planer at the max CPI and get absolutely smooth cuts. I would have to go look but I think the feed speed dial is set about half way and I almost never move it.

[dgreen810]

John

As I stated earlier, the SS 3" pulley was basically junk. The bore was wallowed out and wobbled a lot. I found the 3.03" at a very good price as well as the 5.4. Not trying to invent something, just trying to get this "Old Girl" working as it should without it sounding like a jet taking off. Seems like the issues keep coming, just had another one crop up. Will post the remedy later. Been busy all afternoon putting a "Panic" off switch on my Delta Drill Press.

Don G

[ERLover]

John

As I stated earlier, the SS 3" pulley was basically junk. The bore was wallowed out and wobbled a lot. I found the 3.03" at a very good price as well as the 5.4. Not trying to invent something, just trying to get this "Old Girl" working as it should without it sounding like a jet taking off. Seems like the issues keep coming, just had another one crop up. Will post the remedy later. Been busy all afternoon putting a "Panic" off switch on my Delta Drill Press.

Don G

I Love those switches, cant find them anywhere but Rockler or Amazon via Rockler, I mount them just above left knee height, just a tap with the knee, OFF!!!!