Wowzers!
Mark Mandell - Gone Round In New Jersey
So Christmas came early as the Shelix head for my JET 13" [JPM-13] planer arrived 4 weeks early. Naturally, I just HAD to install it. This was a job as the bearings needed replacing and the entire drive system had to come out, then, once installed (more than a day's work) it had to be re-tuned to match the thickness scale and the drive rollers reset to factory spec.
Also (naturally) I had to test the cut, right?
With the feed rate set at 20 fpm, I took a piece of fiddle-back red maple I had and sent it through.
Result? Well, this was the first time I've ever seen chatoyance in wood coming out of a planer!!! Holy S[mokes], I can start sanding at 180.
The Performax is gonna get a lot less use for anything 13" or less wide.
SWMBO: "So you like you present?"
"Oh, yesh, Mishtress, I do. I do!
SWMBO: "Wonderful, Sweetie. Now you just have to wait for Christmas to use it."
"Umm, oh yeah. I almost forgot . . ."

