Shopsmith Forums

Still getting my feet on the ground using the planer. I have a 1984 model with 1.5 hp motor rated at 16.8 amps. I notice in pictures that the 1.75 motor is rated at 15 amps. Looks to me like the wrong motor is rated at 1.75 up.

My question is must you buy the SS knives due to the tapered body or is a normal 12 inch knife of proper thickness and width OK? I can see why you need to sharpen your own knives.

Thank you.
Dan

DJones wrote:Still getting my feet on the ground using the planer. I have a 1984 model with 1.5 hp motor rated at 16.8 amps. I notice in pictures that the 1.75 motor is rated at 15 amps. Looks to me like the wrong motor is rated at 1.75 up.

My question is must you buy the SS knives due to the tapered body or is a normal 12 inch knife of proper thickness and width OK? I can see why you need to sharpen your own knives.

Thank you.
Dan

I would not advise using substitute knives.

DJones wrote:Still getting my feet on the ground using the planer. I have a 1984 model with 1.5 hp motor rated at 16.8 amps. I notice in pictures that the 1.75 motor is rated at 15 amps. Looks to me like the wrong motor is rated at 1.75 up.

My question is must you buy the SS knives due to the tapered body or is a normal 12 inch knife of proper thickness and width OK? I can see why you need to sharpen your own knives.

Thank you.
Dan

The correct answer is yes and most here will say that. However, this is my opinion. The taper is only a Thou or so as I remember. I have all SS knives on my Pro Planer and jointer and two extra sets for both. I have no idea why SS chose the tapered blade only that it was a design consideration by the engineer at the time. That would be the Magna 4E jointer in the early 50's.

Does anyone know of tapered blades on any other planer or jointer? The SS knife holders are wedge shaped, the centrifugal force of the planer/jointer head rotation forces the cutters into the head. Why would a taper on the blade make a difference?

So yes, you can use, if you want, other blades with no problem as I am sure many many have done over the 60+ year history of the SS.

"the centrifugal force of the planer/jointer head rotation forces the cutters into the head."

Huh????

The wedges/tapered blades "prevent" centrifugal force from slinging the blades. The force is outward!

The blades are thicker on the head 'side'.

The wedges are thicker at the outer 'side'.