Planer tabletop stainless steel gouges

[alphatopher]

Recently acquired planer table top has groves/gouges from what looks like nails on the stainless steel table cover. Anybody have quick fix suggestions or should I just not worry about them. Is it possible to fabricate and epoxy a new stainless steel panel on to the cast table?

[algale]

I'd run a freshly face-jointed board through the planer to see if the grooves actually interfere with the finish on either side facing down or the side getting planed. If not, I'd ignore it. If it does cause problems, I'd be inclined to see if the damage can be smoothed with a flat file or a little judicious sanding. If it is still a problem, after that, I'd be inclined to lay a board with a formica or similar top over the steel bed and just leave it in place (put a cleat on the bottom of the infeed edge to prevent it from being sucked through during planing operations). You've got a lot of depth of cut on that planer that you probably don't need for 99% of your planing needs.

[ERLover]

I'd run a freshly face-jointed board through the planer to see if the grooves actually interfere with the finish on either side facing down or the side getting planed. If not, I'd ignore it. If it does cause problems, I'd be inclined to see if the damage can be smoothed with a flat file or a little judicious sanding. If it is still a problem, after that, I'd be inclined to lay a board with a formica or similar top over the steel bed and just leave it in place (put a cleat on the bottom of the infeed edge to prevent it from being sucked through during planing operations). You've got a lot of depth of cut on that planer that you probably don't need for 99% of your planing needs.

I would do as suggested first, if a problem, but not use a file unless to break down some spurs if they do exist. Then some Aluminum Oxide grit paper wet in various degrees to smooth out.

[newportcycle]

I agree with Algale, see if you have any burrs and file them flat and forget about it. If you one of "those", pull the table and take it to the local machine shop, they can run it through the surface grinder and the thing will be back to brand new.

[alphatopher]

Thank you all for the replies. I should have attached the photo earlier. Stainless is pretty beat up.

[alphatopher]

additional pics. Complete teardown in process, parts ordered from SS.

[superpop]

I would think a metal fabricator could stamp you out a new one for fairly cheap. That's what I would do. The one pictured looks like it might be dented enough to effect the performance of the cut.

[superpop]

Or there is this for 80 bucks plus shipping. http://www.ebay.com/itm/shopsmith-plane ... SwOtdYVaXr

[alphatopher]

Leaning towards a fabrication shop for a new skin. New skin saves time/effort.

[alphatopher]

Progress pics from planer rebuild. Recieved needed parts from SS (infeed roller, top plastic cover, belt, pulley cover, various do-dads). Painting is now complete with Rustoleum pewter hammered, and Professional Gloss Black. Going with a silver and black. Quite impressed with the hammered paint when sprayed on a flat surface, somewhat disappointed when parts were sprayed while hanging vertical.