Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Planer bed roller adjustment...Hmmm?
Barry Irby
Bought a used 15" Reliant planer. Since it is similar to a Grizzly I watched their setup video. They said the Bed rollers should be between 2 and 20 thousandths above the bed. Higher for rough lumber and less for smooth stock. What? I understand the concept, but isn't the first pass rough lumber and the second and subsequent passes smooth lumber? Hmm? I am trying 5 thousandths and will go from there. Things you don't want to overthink.
Re: Planer bed roller adjustment...Hmmm?
Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
Higher rollers more snipe at end. Lower more friction feeding, partially overcome by waxing with durable wax like Carnuba. The pressure bar has the greatest effect on feed and snipe. I adjust it empirically, trial and error.
Re: Planer bed roller adjustment...Hmmm?
Yonak
Barry, I'm not exactly sure what the problem or question is but, I have a Powermatic 180 that has a lever for such a process. It raises and lowers both rollers from 0 (or whatever I set the limit to) to 40/1000s. If I'm planing very rough lumber it will get hung on the bed if I don't raise the rollers.
There it is.....
Barry Irby
I was just flummoxed at having to make the choice between rough lumber and smooth lumber. Having the lever you describe is an obvious improvement. Set it for rough lumber and at least skip plane everything then switch to the smooth setting. I generally start with rough lumber but fairly quickly it becomes smooth. Doing small batches, I would be constantly resetting my rollers manually.
I have polished and waxed the bed and set the rollers to 5 thousandths. I will see how this goes.
Resetting the rollers was not hard, a set screw and a cam, but the previous owner apparently did not pay much attention. The out-feed roller was below the bed and the in-feed roller was loose on one end and flopping around.
Next, the blades. I know they have the classic "I hit something hard" notch. I may plane the paint off the cedar I asked about and install a fresh set. I have a new set waiting.
Re: Planer bed roller adjustment...Hmmm?
John Jardin
Barry,
One of the foremost authorities on planer maintenance/adjustments is Robert Vaughn and his 1994 article in FWW #107 is the bible on planer adjustments. Like Yonak, I too have a Powermatic 180, but the knowledge gained from that article applies to all planers.
Re: Planer bed roller adjustment...Hmmm?
Barry Irby
Wow, I am impressed. I went to YouTube and got his video and watched it. The whole thing is impressive. I post a question on Wood Central, You tell me what to look for, I find it one the first try in seconds. I know my kids and grand kids would find all of that to be normal, but I am old enough to remember before the internet and Youtube and Wood Central. Getting that information would have been slow and painful and expensive. Wow! Thanks! I will just enjoy this new age for a few minutes until somebody points out how old and out of date I am.