Pro Planer

[jdtrill]

Hi,

I have the opportunity to buy a SS Pro Planer for $100. Photos look fine online, however the crank elevating handle is missing. Seller says the handle was not with the machine. Can you guide me on this? I realize no photos yet, but purchasing a crank handle on the SS website shows $40 approx. Is there a guarantee this will fit the machine? Is there only one crank that fits all SS planers? Is it possible to make your own handle?
I am trying to estimate the overall cost to get this machine in working order. I imagine new blades are a strong possibility ($100).
There also looks like the safety key on the control box is missing. SS sells this for $5 so should not be a major issue.

If I buy for $100 and pay approx $150 to get it up and running, is it a worthwhile purchase?

Thank you in advance for your guidance.
Jim

[chapmanruss]

$100 for a ProPlaner plus $150 to get it running is a very good deal. The ProPlaner is currently not available new from Shopsmith but the Mark Mount is at $1590.00. Unfortunately without the safety key you cannot check if all is running okay.

As was talked about before in the other thread the handle shaft is the same so either the old wheel style of the newer crank handle will work. Mine was made in 1992 and has the crank handle.

I would also recommend checking out the Planer/Jointer Knife Sharpener and Conical Disk setup for do-it-yourself sharpening of the Planer and Jointer Knives. I have extra sets of Planer and Jointer Knives and it is nice to be able to sharpen my own knives as needed. If you use either much it will save you money over time not having to send them out for sharpening.

If it doesn't come with one you should also get a Planer Knife Setting Gauge which is part number 513414. It should be with the Planer along with the owners manual. Both are good things to have. If they are not with it I highly recommend getting them.

[jdtrill]

Hi Russ,

Thank you for your guidance. I am new to Shopsmith so appreciate the advice ( I just picked up a SS Mark V for $50).
I cannot get out to look at the pro planer until next Thursday (I had a new hip put in last week!).
I will be taking a bit of a gamble as I cannot start the machine to check other parts (motors, blades, rollers etc.) unless I can work around the start switch?
I saw on another thread that you can take the power switch apart and remove the plastic pin??).
Thanks again and will respond after I check out the planer.
Jim

[br549]

When I purchased my planer, the safety key was missing, but the previous owner had removed a pin from inside the safety switch, so yes, it can be done. Fortunately, the previous owner included the pin, so I was able to reinstall it after I purchased the safety key.

For the missing height adjustment handle (round or straight), these occasionally come up on ebay, but not often. Search for someone who regularly sells planer parts (there are only a few) and maybe they will have one that is not listed.

The working end of the handle is simply notched to fit in the mating adjustment mechanism, so if you want to try to make one yourself that is certainly an option. I can take more measurements if you desire.

Good find on a good bargain, and please let us know how all turns out.

[jdtrill]

Good Morning BR549,

Thank you for your advice. I am going to try and make a planer key to take with me next week when I go and check out the planer. There are some measurements on a prior thread which should enable me to make something to switch it on.
As far as the handle, I would appreciate any guidance and pictures you can send along.
I will respond to all when I get to hopefully purchase the planer next Thursday.

Cheers
Jim

[br549]

Here are some ROUGH measurements of the working end of my handle. I am going to try to make a prototype and see if it works. For measuring the depths to the "shoulders" on each side of the notch and the depth of the notch below the shoulders, I inserted a stiff piece of paper and marked the depths with a pencil and then measured the distance between the pencil marks. Meanwhile, maybe you can figure out a way to make something that will at least let you test the planer before you buy it.

[br549]

Well, it isn't pretty, but it works. I took a 5/8" dia. bolt, hacksawed a 5/32" wide x 1/4" deep slot, then filed the slot to 3/16" wide. The 5/8" diameter bolt fit inside the hole in the cover, but my slot in the bolt was not centered, so I filed down the outside of the bolt some too to compensate for the off-center slot. I had the advantage of being able to trail fit, which you won't. My final OD at the end of the bolt was about 9/16". With a 15/16" wrench or socket, you should at least be able to confirm that the table raises and lowers OK.

One more word of caution: Some planers are advertised as ProPlaners but are actually Mark V mounted versions that have been put on a power stand. The cover should say 12" Professional Planer, but since covers are easily removed and replaced, more importantly, the table should be cast iron, not a stainless steel skin over aluminum. There are also motor differences between a true ProPlaner and Mark V version mounted on a power stand. I don't recall the exact differences in motors, but you should be able to search the forum and find out.

And, if it doesn't come with an Owner's Manual, Everett Davis has scanned and made available a copy on his Google Drive. https://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/main ... 16113.html

[jdtrill]

Hi BR 549,

I cannot express how thankful I am in a quick message, but please know your information and willingness to make a test handle clearly indicates the lengths people go on this forum to help others out. Thank you.....

I will work tomorrow on the safety key and handle. I might make a couple of them just in case I need to adjust them onsite.
I hope Thursday proves successful as I feel even more confident about making this purchase and getting the planer up and running.
Thank you also for the words of advice about the actual model. Hope to add some pictures by the end of the week.

Cheers
Jim