Shopsmith Forums

I was in the process of running some thin strips of left over hardwood through my planer to glue them up into blocks for pen making when all of a sudden there was an very loud bang. After shutting it down I found the plastic dust collector destroyed. Also, the wood strip was nowhere to be found just pieces of wood and splinters. Is there a limit to how thin or narrow a strip of wood can be before not running it through the planer? I guess this strip of wood got sideways or something and got caught in the blades and took out the dust collector. I have a replacement on the way but don't want to repeat this disaster. Any advice will be appreciated.

Fred

From the online PTWFE:

Don't plane stock less than 1" wide or over 12" wide. If the stock is too narrow, the antikickback fingers will not catch it. If it's too wide, it may jam between the sides of the planer.
Don't plane stock less than 12" long. If the stock is too short, it will not feed properly and you will have to reach Into the danger zone in order to plane it.

Gary

Add 'if planing thin stock, back it up with a flat board and use double sided tape if very thin'.

Also pay strict attention to grain direction!!!!