Ive wondered this for years, but what levels of tearout is everyone getting off their byrd cutterhead? I read nothing but praise for that cutterhead, and personally, ive always been sorta let down. The longevity of the cutting edges(times 4, too) is superb, as is the chip compaction in my cyclone bin. However, the finish quality always left me wondering what other people are seeing. Im not expecting finish ready surfaces off the planer, nor am i that concerned with the ridges/scallops. I am a little miffed by 1/32-1/16" tearout on somewhat mild reversing grain. I havent done a side by side test comparing my tersa jointer to byrd planer, but i am pretty sure the jointer isnt giving me tearout like the planer in similar situations. This is a knot, and the grain dips down and then comes back up on the opposite side. This means no matter what direction i run the board, im going to be fighting the grain on one side of the knot.
Planer is a PM209, and i think im running it on the lowest feed speed. I rotated the knives once last year, and didnt experience any difference in finish quality afterwards.