Allan Speers
12-10-2015, 6:01 PM
I'm trying to get my 1980's PM 100 running. I was going to get a Shelix head, but I really can't afford it right now, so I want to get carbide-tipped straight blades instead. (This planer gives such a good finish, the only real advantage of a Shelix head is low noise.)
Infinity tools has one heckuva' deal right now: $129 for a set of three ! Except these are 12" long. While the 1960's (Green era) manual specs 12", The 1980's (Gold era) manual calls for 12 1/4" blades.
I don't know if Powermatic actually changed the head. most likely they just realized that the extra 1/4" allows some wiggle room, especially if you get a nick as you can then move that blade sideways a bit to offset it.
American National has the correct 12 1/4" blades, but they want $242. That difference in price would by a lot of coffee & donuts.
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So, would I be foolish to get the 12" blades? What would you do, if money was really tight?
Infinity tools has one heckuva' deal right now: $129 for a set of three ! Except these are 12" long. While the 1960's (Green era) manual specs 12", The 1980's (Gold era) manual calls for 12 1/4" blades.
I don't know if Powermatic actually changed the head. most likely they just realized that the extra 1/4" allows some wiggle room, especially if you get a nick as you can then move that blade sideways a bit to offset it.
American National has the correct 12 1/4" blades, but they want $242. That difference in price would by a lot of coffee & donuts.
----------------------------
So, would I be foolish to get the 12" blades? What would you do, if money was really tight?