SS jointer with carbide bits? Ask Mike...

[benush26]

Today's SS advertising reminded me of a conversation I had with Mike Young a couple weeks back. I said I had ordered the spiral carbide bit replacement for my Delta planer and he said that there was some talk in the works about providing square carbide bit replacementss for the SS jointer. He might have said they were thinking of their planer, too. But I can't be certain he mentioned the planer.
Yes, the price of these carbide pieces are VERY expensive compared to conventional blades and it is not unreasonable to have a second set of sharper steel blades handy when the set gets nicked, but having watched for the last three years a friend using his DeWalt planer converted to the carbide bits, it made sense to convert. (to me, though your mileage may very). The motor on his DeWalt seems to run easier on both speeds and he gets a huge amount out of each edge.
Anyway, since Mike brought it up as something plausible, I thought I'd pas it along. It could be that Mike was trying to drum up interest in hopes the forum would bug SS into providing this or it may something in the pipeline.

Be well,
Ben

[Ed in Tampa]

I would love to have carbide blades for my jointer.

[Gene Howe]

That would be a very nice upgrade.

[Hobbyman2]

Those blades turn pretty fast ,,a piece of carbide brakes off and it could do some real damage.

JMO

[Ed in Tampa]

Those blades turn pretty fast ,,a piece of carbide brakes off and it could do some real damage.

JMO

But if you are using the jointer properly with all the guards in place there is nowhere for a piece of carbide to go except out the dust chute.

The only time I have ever seen carbide break was when I was abusing the Saw the carbide blade was in. I was cutting through thick maple held together with cut nails. I had all the precautions on. Flak jacket, hard hat, face shield, eye protection, gloves and leather apron.

I used all the shields and safety equipment on the Saw and when the carbide did break loose it simply flew out the dust chute into the vac. No drama at all. But I will say some of the nail pieces flew around. Most were shot back out their original hole and back into the wood behind them.

Anyone that uses a jointer with the turning blades uncovered needs to have their head examined, steel. Carbide or what ever can come flying out. Also I have seen wood literally exploded as it was going through the jointer. If the operator had, had his hand on the wood it would have gone through the jointer. Instead he was using a push block.

[beeg]

That would be a very nice upgrade.

I would love to have carbide blades for my jointer.

Until ya see the price.

[Ed in Tampa]

That would be a very nice upgrade.

I would love to have carbide blades for my jointer.

Until ya see the price.

You may be right! Hopefully they would be in line with segmented carbide router bits made for other machines. I hope!

[ChrisNeilan]

Those blades turn pretty fast ,,a piece of carbide brakes off and it could do some real damage.

JMO

They run at the same RPM as the saw blade. The saw blade being 10" in diameter actually puts the cutting edge at a higher feet per second rate. Never been hit by any of those carbides, hope I never do...

[woodmeister]

I presently have 7 jointers. I recondition them and with the conical sanding disk it only takes 20 minutes to sharpen all 3 of them after easy set up. It may take another 30 minutes the first time you replace them in jointer but it is actually pretty simple. I reckon if your were using it as a commercial application carbide may be better. For the average wood worker I can not justify the cost in going to carbide. Guess it is up to the individual. I really think SS does a great job and I like shop smith tools.

[Hobbyman2]

Its like the wifes kitchen,, her kitchen her rules??


Not sure how you could get a planer blade any sharper because they are crbide.

If tensile strength is the issue then dont cut as deep .

I have a couple 10 in saw blades that lost carbide teeth, no abuse,,,, they just came off and went zinging ,,,, guard or not there are no guarantees where the piece may end up.

Not saying any thing bad about carbide planer blades because I have never used them,,,just saying ,,,,my shop my rules,,

I still use carbide saw blades like every one else,,,,, and will continue to do so , Just not on the planer / jointer.

Your shop ,,your rules.