Who made this head?

[Darcy Warner]

Its in a S970 30" double whitney I just picked up.

I am thinking Gladu, need to send them some pictures to see if they know if its theirs.

Does any know otherwise?
393947

[Van Huskey]

While I have no idea I am intrigued. It appears there are about 30 separate heads that index together? Does it have a central shaft?

[Darcy Warner]

While I have no idea I am intrigued. It appears there are about 30 separate heads that index together? Does it have a central shaft?

Yes, I believe it does and I believe gladu an one other company made one like this. I need to pull an insert and see if they are just two sided an indexable, vs. grinding them. I did get bottom head grinder stand and grinder, but no evidence of a finger that would follow knives.

[brent stanley]

Cool! Looks like they're on a slight shear, are the knives radiused? I have a Gladu head in a 24" planer but it uses the more popular 4-sided carbide inserts.

[Darcy Warner]

Thanks to the guys at Newman Whitney, the 970 was built in 1972 and head is a wesson. It was shipped to the customer without heads.

[Darcy Warner]

Talked to Wesson today, they may have a drawing for it still and can make new inserts. We are pretty sure it is not a grind in place head. I need to pull an insert tomorrow.

[Dan Jansen]

I didn’t realize the spiral cutterhead has been around for 45 years! I thought that was a fairly recent design. Thanks for sharing even though I’m no help at all.

[Van Huskey]

I didn’t realize the spiral cutterhead has been around for 45 years! I thought that was a fairly recent design. Thanks for sharing even though I’m no help at all.

They are kinda like pocket hole machines they had been around forever but Kreg brought them into the consciousness of hobbyists as did Byrd with insert cutterheads.

[Bill Adamsen]

Wonder why they didn’t use the Newman spiral heads? Those are ground on the machine. I was under the impression they were the “ultimate” head (and they’ve been around a long time).


https://youtu.be/ZgPBSCTr4sQ

[David Kumm]

Most of the old spiral heads had to be sharpened in place with a special grinder. I don't think there were many rotating insert designs but Darcy will know. Dave

[Darcy Warner]

Most of the old spiral heads had to be sharpened in place with a special grinder. I don't think there were many rotating insert designs but Darcy will know. Dave

The planer was ordered without heads, customer was supposed to install used Oliver itch heads. Apparently that didn't happen as this head is dated 1972.

This head actually has 4 sided inserts that you just rotate.

The Newman head was developed around the late 60s early 70s I believe.

[Darcy Warner]

All cleaned up, most issues repaired, just need my carbides I ordered and to change bearings in bottom head motor. 396313

[Mel Fulks]

For years I worked in a mill shop that had a big Whitney. We used it mainly for non trim type stuff. Looks like this one
has the coveted Princess endorsement !

[brent stanley]

All cleaned up, most issues repaired, just need my carbides I ordered and to change bearings in bottom head motor. 396313

Looking nice!

[Patrick Walsh]

Wow look at that thing. Just beautiful!

We just dint make anything close to anything like that anymore.

Not even close...

Just love it.

[David Kumm]

Newman bought Whitney and is still in business. Known for their roughing planers but also make a finishing planer. Not as pretty but the Newman head is still in use. Dave

[Darcy Warner]

Wow look at that thing. Just beautiful!

We just dint make anything close to anything like that anymore.

Not even close...

Just love it.

They made these up into the 90s. Only reason that they changed styles completely was because a fire destroyed a good part of their patterns.

The last 970's that were made were close to 200k.

This one was built in 72 and was almost 85k.