How did making your own copy of the gauge work out? Is there any reason it needs more accuracy than one would get if carefully made by hand, verses one they sell? (thinking of distortions in photo, etc.)
I've never used a planer before. Thanks for the help
Planer knife setting (I originally put this in the wrond place, oops)
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- dusty
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I believe that there are two basic metrics involved here. First, when done, the blades must be securely attached in the cutter head. This is first only because it is a safety issue.
Beyond that, if you can guarantee yourself that the blades are all at the same height across the entire cutter head and from blade to blade for all three blades, you have properly installed blades.
Having said this, the answer to your question is yes. An accurate hand made copy of the gauge would work.
Beyond that, if you can guarantee yourself that the blades are all at the same height across the entire cutter head and from blade to blade for all three blades, you have properly installed blades.
Having said this, the answer to your question is yes. An accurate hand made copy of the gauge would work.
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
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Dusty
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Thank you, breaking it down that simply helps a lot. Often I'm most concerned that I just don't know what I'm missing and your answer solved that.
I found the following from Bill Mayo, which adds the other thing I didn't know, the height to set them at (along with a good suggestion for a simple jig):
As I expected, I searched many drawers and cabinets without finding any planer knife setting gauges. I know I have at least 2 some where. I did take measurements on the cutter head in my planer and looked at about a dozen planer blades that had not been cleaned. The distance from the cutter head in parallel to the knife edge was .260" +- .005". This was from the front of the blade. The distance from the tip of the blade to the wedges, back of blade, was from .240" to .255". I firmly believe if you set the knives .250" from the cutter head, you will be well within the ballpark. I believe the feed rollers will handle this setting without any problems. Of course, the key is setting all the knives at the same height. I am sure you can make a wooden jig spanning the cross bars with a notch for each bar and an adjusting screw over the knife edge that you can move to get the right knife setting. Once the screw is set, then adjust all knives to the same height. Very similar to the metal knife setting gauge.
I found the following from Bill Mayo, which adds the other thing I didn't know, the height to set them at (along with a good suggestion for a simple jig):
As I expected, I searched many drawers and cabinets without finding any planer knife setting gauges. I know I have at least 2 some where. I did take measurements on the cutter head in my planer and looked at about a dozen planer blades that had not been cleaned. The distance from the cutter head in parallel to the knife edge was .260" +- .005". This was from the front of the blade. The distance from the tip of the blade to the wedges, back of blade, was from .240" to .255". I firmly believe if you set the knives .250" from the cutter head, you will be well within the ballpark. I believe the feed rollers will handle this setting without any problems. Of course, the key is setting all the knives at the same height. I am sure you can make a wooden jig spanning the cross bars with a notch for each bar and an adjusting screw over the knife edge that you can move to get the right knife setting. Once the screw is set, then adjust all knives to the same height. Very similar to the metal knife setting gauge.
Greenie (no serial #), 82 Mark V 500 serial #128648, ci bandsaw, old jigsaw, planer. All one buy in March 2014. Magna Jointer added Nov. '14. Speed reducer, conical disk and two bearing quill upgrade.