Todd Burch
06-05-2003, 7:19 PM
I'm in the market for a new planer. My old Parks 12", while it is still "cutting" it, (pun intended), the finish it too rough, knives take too long to set, it leaks oil, the leaking oil gets on my wood, it's WAY too loud, and dust collection, while functional since I made a hood, still sucks (pun not intended).
I've used a friend's shaper that had a sprial, indexable carbide head. Very nice cut and somewhat quiet. These are the heads that come with a bunch of little square carbide cutters, arranged around the head in a spiral manner. Supposedly good for figured woods and quiet. Also, if you get a nick, you can loosen the individual cutters that are nicked, turn them 90° and tighten them back down. The cutters are eventually disposable when all 4 sides get dull, and replacements costs less than $3 each. How many cutters depends on the length of the cutterhead.
Tersa knives, I think, are drop in knives, turn the machine on, and they set themselves in place via centrifugal force. No adjustments. I think they come disposable and sharpenable - I'm not sure.
So, what planer/head configuration should I get? (This is my livelihood - I'm not looking for a portable planer. And, I don't have 3 phase - yet).
As for it's sidekick, I have an 8" (green) powermatic jointer that works fine when the knives are sharp (actually, it works excellent), although the bed is a bit cupped in the center through years of use. When I need to joint edges, I have to ride at the front or rear of the bed - not in the middle, else I get a cupped edge. I'd like 12", but wouldn't we all.... :D. For a commercial shop, what would you recommend?
Thanks for any insight. Todd.
I've used a friend's shaper that had a sprial, indexable carbide head. Very nice cut and somewhat quiet. These are the heads that come with a bunch of little square carbide cutters, arranged around the head in a spiral manner. Supposedly good for figured woods and quiet. Also, if you get a nick, you can loosen the individual cutters that are nicked, turn them 90° and tighten them back down. The cutters are eventually disposable when all 4 sides get dull, and replacements costs less than $3 each. How many cutters depends on the length of the cutterhead.
Tersa knives, I think, are drop in knives, turn the machine on, and they set themselves in place via centrifugal force. No adjustments. I think they come disposable and sharpenable - I'm not sure.
So, what planer/head configuration should I get? (This is my livelihood - I'm not looking for a portable planer. And, I don't have 3 phase - yet).
As for it's sidekick, I have an 8" (green) powermatic jointer that works fine when the knives are sharp (actually, it works excellent), although the bed is a bit cupped in the center through years of use. When I need to joint edges, I have to ride at the front or rear of the bed - not in the middle, else I get a cupped edge. I'd like 12", but wouldn't we all.... :D. For a commercial shop, what would you recommend?
Thanks for any insight. Todd.