Shopsmith Forums

Question: How much setup was required by all those who own the Pro Planer?

The reason I ask, I had to do the normal setup, put parts together, install the motor, mount it on the stand, install pulleys, line up the pulleys, clean all surfaces with denatured alcohol, then wax everything. To me that is normal, so I thought I was ready to go.

But, then I happened to put my hand down on the table and I heard a clunk and noticed the table move down. I kept fooling with it, noticing when I pressed down on the right corner of the infeed side, the left corner of the outfeed table came up. The up and down movement was approximately 1/8". I thought to myself, you have to be kidding. After further investigating, I noticed those two nuts weren't tightened flush. I tightened the two nuts, but then started wondering if the table was aligned horizontally with the tie bars. Using dial calipers, on the out feed side, from side to side there was a difference of .026". The infeed side was worse, .034". So, then I had to dismantle everything, remove the chain, loosen the (8) setscrews, make that feeler gauge in the manual and adjust all four corners to the feeler gauge.

I was not a happy camper. I know there are some, that really dislike any negative input towards SS. But, I'm only stating the facts, and this is the tool review section of the forum. But, over and over, I keep hearing in this forum, American made, American Quality, SS Quality. So far, I'm not experiencing this. I've already stated in another post, the problems associated with the TSIII Ultra System, and now this. The very 1st item I bought since joining the SS family, is the bisquit joiner. All the flashing in the slotted holes was not cleaned out.

I am a SS Customer, since finding that SS still existed in April and joining this family, I have spent $6000. So, it is not like I'm looking for freebies, cheap merchandise, but I really do expect to get quality merchandise from SS. I think SS needs to spend a little more time with their quality control. Because right now, I'm starting to think that $6000., could have gone a long ways towards some stand alone tools.

OK, I've had my rant, now. I'll be fine tomorrow.

Glad I came upon this. I was thinking of purchasing the Pro Planer but not now.

Now that is what I call a snap judgement made without due consideration.

How about the many of us who are operating the Pro Planer with no difficulties whatsoever; does that count for anything. Apparently not.

I would wait and see what others post. I may have been unfortunate to have had someone with a hangover putting mine together. Based on some of the other posts, I have read, the SS Pro Planer is the greatest. At this point in time, I don't know, because so far, I've yet to run a piece of wood through it. Maybe tonight.

Don't get me wrong, shydragon. What you have experienced is unexcusable. Quality discrepancies like these cannot be tolerated if Shopsmith intends to maintain their reputation for producing quality equipment.

I just believe that Shopsmith needs to be allowed to weigh in.

Unfortunately, you have corrected the discrepancies without Shopsmith being able to witness same. I hope that you have some photos and a detailed list of observations.

I took photos of the TSIII and Woodhaven problems and posted those. On this, no I didn't take photos. I was so disgusted, and after waiting over 3 months to get the blasted thing, I've been ready to use it since I ordered it. So, I just decided to correct the problems right then and there, so I could use it.

SS weighing in, isn't going to change my circumstances. My only thought is, hopefully someone from SS is reading these forums and from this, do a little better about quality control.

Alrighty...

I see your frustration, and think it is justified. Considering we don't have this complaint often (if ever) I would like to offer an apology on behave of Shopsmith. Due to the human factor, I think you can understand that mistakes are possible and can happen.

Having said that. Speaking with Jim, the plant supervisor and general know it all, he said that this is highly unusual and with a little bit of reading in your manual you can easily recalibrate the planer bed. Also our customer service can walk you through this procedure if you feel you need some help with it. Reading you post I assume you got it working.

Once you have you bed all squared up, I think you will feel a little better about you Pro Planer purchase. It is a really nice machine. Let us know if there is any assistance you need to get you up and running, OK?

Be good,

Drew

And as a side note. I know everyone out there on the line, and you can trust me when I say a "hangover" was not the culprit.