12"planer

[mark downing]

I just bought a used Parks 12" planer, model 97. Just hoping someone is familiar with this machine. Not sure what year it is.

It needs knives which appear to mic at 5/32" thickness. I was able to locate 1/8" thick knives from CGSchmidt Co but no 5/32" available. Will they work?

Also, the gear box to the machine's side cab be described as an "oil bath". In removing the cover, the machine oil needs replacing. Does anyone know what quantity and type of lube is correct?

advice appreciated

[Bill Dufour]

I used 90 weight gear oil. I extended the drain plug to the side with a street elbow and a nipple a with a cap. The bronze bushing for the bed rolls were worn and I needed to replace 2 of the 4.
Bill D.

http://wiki.vintagemachinery.org/Getting%20Peak%20Planer%20Performance.ashx

[Matt Day]

Lots of those planers out there being ran. Search OWWM and you’ll find lots of information on it.

[Bill Dufour]

I have heard of folks replacing the oil with light grease maybe cornhead or cotton picker grease. I fished a almond out of the gearbox in mine when I first got it. I added a rubber washer to keep stuff out. It prevents some splash. On mine there is no gasket and one gear slung oil into the top gap. I added a small piece of aluminum under the top to deflect the slung oil down and away from the leak area.
If the gear cover is Aluminum it is newer. They were also sold under the sears label.

[Bradley Gray]

http://wiki.vintagemachinery.org/Restoring%20a%20Parks%20Planer.ashx

[mark downing]

http://wiki.vintagemachinery.org/Restoring%20a%20Parks%20Planer.ashx


Thanks Bradley. I'm new to machine surgery but this seems doable. In your opinion are 1/8" thick knives a good alternative to 5/32"?

[Bradley Gray]

Not sure about that but I think thicker is better and there are no gib screws supporting the knives on my parks so thinner might be more likely to slip.

Did you find these set up instructions? http://wiki.vintagemachinery.org/Parks%20Planer%20Settings.ashx

[Bruce Wrenn]

Global Tooling lists 12" X 7/8" X 1/8" knives for your machine, for about $45

[mark downing]

yes I saw the set up instructions also, thanks.

[Jon Grider]

NLGI #1 grease is recommended on Vintage Machine site for red metal bushings[copper, brass, bronze] for your Parks. Automotive EP grease is not recommended.

[Joe Drozd]

I have the same planer. when i filled the gear box i used a real thin grease but it was not thin enough. I mixed in some sae 140 oil i got from amazon. If i had to do it again i would have used john deere corn head grease. this would be perfect,look up on youtube. i don't remember if i used 1 or 2 tubes,manual says 1/2 to 1 lb. I put some foam on the one open shaft to stop any splash out. The unit came with blades, 1 standard and 1 solid carbide. I think there 1/8. here is the amazon oil pn. it is 400wt

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000M8IHI2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

[Mark Wooden]

Go to American National Knife https://www.americannationalknife.com/8To12.asp They list two 12" sets one 7/8" wide, one 1" wide but both 1/8" thick. I'd look up the specs on the machine over on Vintage Machinery .org http://www.vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/pubs.aspx. to be sure. They do have 5/32" knives, but for a Yates 12" jointer