Gustav Gabor
02-12-2020, 7:38 PM
I just finished the final install of a new helical (spiral) cutter head in my old CKM 12" jointer (virtually the same as the Powermatic 1285), and here are my thoughts.....
To be clear, I'm in no way affiliated with the company that makes this brand of cutter head, and it's the first time I'm using them.
This 12", 6 spiral, 80 insert cutter head is made in China and sold by Sheartak tools in Waterloo, Ontario. www.sheartak.com (http://www.sheartak.com)
They have a warehouse there, and from what I understand have a decent stock for various brands of machinery.
These cutter heads are also available through them on ebay.
The person I've been dealing with is Mike, and he's been very helpful.
The cutter head was shipped double boxed from Ontario to the Yukon and arrived in perfect condition.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49507248162_c5255b300f_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iqMA5b)
I found the machining to be excellent, and the dimensions to be bang on. The inserts are 15 x 15 x 2.5 with a 150mm radius and cut on a 30 degree shear angle.
For reference, Byrd inserts are the same size, but with a 100mm radius.
I used new SKF bearings during the install, and it was relatively straightforward.
I did have to have to source left hand threaded metric bolts and have a few custom washers machined, since the Sheartak cutter head has internally threaded shafts to retain the bearings and pulley, whereas my old one had external threads on the shaft ends. A bit of math and a friend with a metal lathe took care of that...
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49527430381_0ce267dbf1_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2isz2xt)
The cut quality is really, really good! Very smooth, well balanced, and quiet.
It's very hard to see (lousy picture), but absolutely no tear out on this piece of maple with some very nice curl on it.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49526921273_fe0463dbd4_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iswqcK)
Also, it's hard to see or feel the grooves created by the inserts. I believe the 150mm radius on these inserts helps with that.
When I hold the piece up to a light, I can see some very faint tracking, but can't really feel it. I checked for grooving with my Starrett straightedge, and while it's not 100% perfect since I can see a tiny, tiny bit of light between the straightedge and the wood, I'm confident that any faint grooving is less than .0003". I don't have any feeler gauges that would be able to measure it.
I have a Byrd cutter head installed in my little 13" Delta planer, but that one does leave grooves that I can see and feel fairly easily. (still a great product mind you!!) Perhaps it's because that one only has 40 inserts compared to the 80 on this one? Or perhaps the 100mm versus the 150mm radius??
In the beginning I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to use this cutter head for edge jointing, but now I'm certain this will work 100% for that!
Not sure about the longevity of the inserts, but time will tell....
I'm very happy with it! Excellent price, great customer service, excellent product. .......... Finally done with setting jointer knives!!!!........
My opinion is that it's a good alternative to Byrd cutter heads at a decent price, with the quality of the cut being as good if not better.
To be clear, I'm in no way affiliated with the company that makes this brand of cutter head, and it's the first time I'm using them.
This 12", 6 spiral, 80 insert cutter head is made in China and sold by Sheartak tools in Waterloo, Ontario. www.sheartak.com (http://www.sheartak.com)
They have a warehouse there, and from what I understand have a decent stock for various brands of machinery.
These cutter heads are also available through them on ebay.
The person I've been dealing with is Mike, and he's been very helpful.
The cutter head was shipped double boxed from Ontario to the Yukon and arrived in perfect condition.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49507248162_c5255b300f_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iqMA5b)
I found the machining to be excellent, and the dimensions to be bang on. The inserts are 15 x 15 x 2.5 with a 150mm radius and cut on a 30 degree shear angle.
For reference, Byrd inserts are the same size, but with a 100mm radius.
I used new SKF bearings during the install, and it was relatively straightforward.
I did have to have to source left hand threaded metric bolts and have a few custom washers machined, since the Sheartak cutter head has internally threaded shafts to retain the bearings and pulley, whereas my old one had external threads on the shaft ends. A bit of math and a friend with a metal lathe took care of that...
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49527430381_0ce267dbf1_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2isz2xt)
The cut quality is really, really good! Very smooth, well balanced, and quiet.
It's very hard to see (lousy picture), but absolutely no tear out on this piece of maple with some very nice curl on it.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49526921273_fe0463dbd4_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iswqcK)
Also, it's hard to see or feel the grooves created by the inserts. I believe the 150mm radius on these inserts helps with that.
When I hold the piece up to a light, I can see some very faint tracking, but can't really feel it. I checked for grooving with my Starrett straightedge, and while it's not 100% perfect since I can see a tiny, tiny bit of light between the straightedge and the wood, I'm confident that any faint grooving is less than .0003". I don't have any feeler gauges that would be able to measure it.
I have a Byrd cutter head installed in my little 13" Delta planer, but that one does leave grooves that I can see and feel fairly easily. (still a great product mind you!!) Perhaps it's because that one only has 40 inserts compared to the 80 on this one? Or perhaps the 100mm versus the 150mm radius??
In the beginning I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to use this cutter head for edge jointing, but now I'm certain this will work 100% for that!
Not sure about the longevity of the inserts, but time will tell....
I'm very happy with it! Excellent price, great customer service, excellent product. .......... Finally done with setting jointer knives!!!!........
My opinion is that it's a good alternative to Byrd cutter heads at a decent price, with the quality of the cut being as good if not better.