JohnT Fitzgerald
04-10-2011, 1:20 PM
I installed the Shelix which I bought from Mike Goetzke last weekend, but I only tried it out this weekend.
Installation - very easy. I took Mike's cue and removed all the cutters before installing. I think the only hiccup was that I had to run to Sears and get some snap-ring pliers.
Noise - vastly improved. It is a much lower tone and is much less ear-piercing. The biggest difference to me is that the sound is not much worse when you run a board through it. The normal knives definitely got a lot louder when cutting.
The cut - I like very much how easily it cuts but I was not overly impressed with the finish. I can say I am not surprised seeing as you are counting on a number of individual cutters to be perfectly aligned. I ran some chalk over it and saw just how 'off' it was, but it *felt* smooth. I single pass with my ROS and then another pass with the chalk and it was smooth smooth smooth. Assuming the Shelix holds it's edge and cuts more consistently longer, I think I will definitely like it. I found that the knives cut very well when new but when they went dull, I got burning and increased snipe.
Snipe - very little on the trailing edge and none on the leading edge. I believe that cutter sharpness very much influences snipe on the trailing end on this planer. When you think about the geometry of the rollers on this planer, even a little resistance of the piece (due to the bed, or to the push back from the knives) will cause the roller to 'catch' the trailing corner and lift it up into the blade. To counteract this I usually run a scrap board right behind it that pushes the main piece through, preventing the roller from lifting it.
Overall I give it a thumbs up. Thanks Mike G!
Installation - very easy. I took Mike's cue and removed all the cutters before installing. I think the only hiccup was that I had to run to Sears and get some snap-ring pliers.
Noise - vastly improved. It is a much lower tone and is much less ear-piercing. The biggest difference to me is that the sound is not much worse when you run a board through it. The normal knives definitely got a lot louder when cutting.
The cut - I like very much how easily it cuts but I was not overly impressed with the finish. I can say I am not surprised seeing as you are counting on a number of individual cutters to be perfectly aligned. I ran some chalk over it and saw just how 'off' it was, but it *felt* smooth. I single pass with my ROS and then another pass with the chalk and it was smooth smooth smooth. Assuming the Shelix holds it's edge and cuts more consistently longer, I think I will definitely like it. I found that the knives cut very well when new but when they went dull, I got burning and increased snipe.
Snipe - very little on the trailing edge and none on the leading edge. I believe that cutter sharpness very much influences snipe on the trailing end on this planer. When you think about the geometry of the rollers on this planer, even a little resistance of the piece (due to the bed, or to the push back from the knives) will cause the roller to 'catch' the trailing corner and lift it up into the blade. To counteract this I usually run a scrap board right behind it that pushes the main piece through, preventing the roller from lifting it.
Overall I give it a thumbs up. Thanks Mike G!