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I recently acquired an older Pro Planer (Model M5082, Serial Number 008109). I have taken it apart to clean and oil it. I installed new blades. When I started it up, it vibrates so much that it moves across the floor. Any suggestions as to what my problem is would be appreciated.

CactusRoper wrote:I recently acquired an older Pro Planer (Model M5082, Serial Number 008109). I have taken it apart to clean and oil it. I installed new blades. When I started it up, it vibrates so much that it moves across the floor. Any suggestions as to what my problem is would be appreciated.

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear that you have this problem. This is normally not the sort of issue that can be resolved long distance.

I would guess that you either did not tighten something properly or you have a part in wrong. Doing this could cause an out of balance condition that is causing the vibration.

May I suggest that you remove the blades for testing until you have it running smooth. If you do this, don't leave any loose screws installed.

The pro planer is stand mounted right?

I bought a similar vintage planer on a stand that had the same problem. I found mine had stamped v-belt pulleys. The motor pulley was bent so the "v" was not consistent in width around the pulley. I couldn't get the pulley off of the motor. I tried several penetrating oils and mechanical persuasion! Even gear pullers would start bending the pulley, rather than moving it.

I carefully adjusted (bent) the shape of the pulley and most of the vibration is gone. I will eventually try again and replace the pulleys with higher quality.

It could also be a bad belt causing your vibration....

I just had my control for my planner go and in searching for information I asked Bill if he had any for sale. He couldn't help me but in the e-mail mentioned that he has fixed several planners vibration problems that were due to a bent Jack Shaft. If the pulling isn't the problem check to see if any of the shafts are broken.

dcottrill wrote:I just had my control for my planner go and in searching for information I asked Bill if he had any for sale. He couldn't help me but in the e-mail mentioned that he has fixed several planners vibration problems that were due to a bent Jack Shaft. If the pulling isn't the problem check to see if any of the shafts are broken.

Sorry if I was too brief. The bent jack shafts prevents the table from raising or lowering smoothly and normally resulting from shipping or dropping the planer. My best guess is one or more of the planer blades are not equal weight, that is each sharpen the same amount or one of the blades height adjustments is off. I get joiners that have similar vibration problems. A bad belt (can be internally broken) can create the vibration problem and may not easly be seen. I used a link belt on the one Pro planer I had.

Well that clears that confusion up! A jack screw, not a jack shaft.

Could not figger out where a jack shaft was on the planer.

billmayo wrote:Sorry if I was too brief. The bent jack shafts prevents the table from raising or lowering smoothly and normally resulting from shipping or dropping the planer. My best guess is one or more of the planer blades are not equal weight, that is each sharpen the same amount or one of the blades height adjustments is off. I get joiners that have similar vibration problems. A bad belt (can be internally broken) can create the vibration problem and may not easly be seen. I used a link belt on the one Pro planer I had.

Mine vibrated a fair amount when I first got it. Aligning the motor helped, but didn't fully solve the issue. I ended up needing to do a couple things:

1) re-adjust the way that the base was put together so I could get the necessary clearance. That allowed for proper alignment of motor to the planer
2) replaced the pulleys with the planer pulley guard upgrade. since it got a new belt, i think the old one hd some set in it

I will end up swapping out for a link belt when I get the chance.

Please let us know how it goes with the linkbelt.

I have had good luck with my Proplaner. But, I am always looking for improvements with all my tools.

My apology for the mistake.

dcottrill wrote:My apology for the mistake.

That really was not necessary. Twas the thought and intent that counts!:)