SS Planer blade question

[easterngray]

I recently picked up a SS Pro Planer with a bunch of extra sets of blades. A couple of the sets are not Shopsmith brand and are wider in depth that the SS blades. I would think that the calibration for depth of the cut is in concert with the SS blades and any deviation from that would be a mistake. Is there any use for these blades? Thanks for the feedback - Alec

[dusty]

I am NOT prepared to say that blades other than those made by Shopsmith are usable in the Pro Planer. But I am willing to say, I would NOT use them unless their physical dimensions are exactly the same.

I saw an article somewhere about using old planer/jointer blades as scrapers. This person had made some sort of holder for the blade. If I can find the article, I'll post the details.

[dickg1]

On pages 22 and 23 of the SS Planer manual a paragraph entitled "KNIFE MOUNTING SYSTEM" includes the followiing ". . . the knives themselves are wedge shaped. Each knife is slightly thicker at the bottom than it is on the top. . ."Shopsmith employs this special design as an extra precaution to keep the knives secured in the cutterhead."

A WARNING follows . . . "Using off brand knives is extremely dangerous."

This warning appears again later in the manual.

Dickg1

[easterngray]

Yes indeed, the offbrand knives (Simonds) are parallel in profile and not wedge shaped like the SS brand. I think I'll keep them around for making trout knives! Thanks again - Alec

[charlese]

I recently picked up a SS Pro Planer with a bunch of extra sets of blades. A couple of the sets are not Shopsmith brand and are wider in depth that the SS blades. I would think that the calibration for depth of the cut is in concert with the SS blades and any deviation from that would be a mistake. Is there any use for these blades? Thanks for the feedback - Alec

Hi Alec,
Both of the above replies are good suggestions. dickg1's posted warning is right on!
However, it is my recommendation to put them away in a secure place in a tube (plastic pipe or other) and mark them NOT FOR USE WITH SHOPSMITH. Don't throw them in the trash right away, as you may find a use for them elsewhere.

They might scrape, but I think they will just make powder rather than fine shavings. It might be difficult to put a rolled burr edge on them. You might be able to use them as wedges to work apart pieces you have taped together, or something like that. There have been a couple of times I wished I had a "wider chisel" to start the prying to get taped pieces apart. I hate to throw away parts that might be useful someday. Maybe that's why my shop is so cluttered;) .

If they are not from Shopsmith and especially if they are not tapered - don't use them in the SS planer.

P.S. (EDIT) Just saw your last post and sounds like Ttout knives is an excellent use!

[james.miller]

I talked to a wood turner who had found a use for old HSS planer blades.

He cut them up into teardrop scrapers to use with a hollowing rig when turning hollow forms. He bought a 4" grinder from HF to cut them with.

[Nick]

Since you guys have done such a good job of convincing poor Alec that using non-Shopsmith blades in his planer would be tantamount to setting off a stick of dynamite in his shop, I won't add my two cents. You're right. But I want to take this opportunity to pass on a tip to Alec, since he is probably on his way to a sharpening service with the old wedge-shaped blades that he can use: Have your sharpener regrind the blades at 37-1/2 degrees. The blades come to us here at Shopsmith at a standard 45 degrees. Jim Shupert, my sharpener, convinced me to try the 37-1/2-degree angle when I took a set of worn knives to him. He said I'd get a smoother cut with less tear-out -- and I did! Works for the jointer, too. The steeper angle won't stay sharp as long, but I think the increased quality of the cut is worth the hassel of changing blades every four months instead of every six.

With all good wishes,

[a1gutterman]

Thanks for the tip Nick.

[charlese]

How does 37 1/2 degrees work for planer blades? Same thing? Better cut, but shorter life?

[charlese]

Does the 37 1/2 degrees work the same for jointer blades? Giving a smoother cut, but shorter life?