Jeff Horton
09-04-2006, 11:03 PM
Man, I had NO IDEA there was so much to setting up a planner! I am about to go through mine for the third time. I guess I am really not on my third set-up as much as I am working the bugs out of the thing. While I think most anyone could restore a Unisaw if they have moderate mechanical skills, I have to say if you not pretty mechanical inclined you might not want to tackle a planer.
Here are some lessons I have learned:
LESSON No. 1 Gears that were not properly installed and that have play in them will allow one side of the table to move before the other side does.
One time the left side was high and then the right side would be high. Took a while to find that one and get it all adjusted out. Now the table position is repeatable within .003.
LESSON No 2 always remember to TIGHTEN the sets screws when you done. Snug doesn't work.
LESSON No 3. Gibbs need to be very snug, but not tight. That was minor but when your dealing with these measurements it was causing some inconsistency. The only way to see it was with the dial indicator. Because you couldn't see any movement in the table but it was there!
LESSON No. 4 Remember that once you re-level the table with the cutter head to recheck everything else! (See Lesson No. 2)
LESSON No. 5 If your feeder rollers are not level with the table which is level with the cutter head your stock will try to creep to one side as it feeds through. (see Lesson No. 4)
LESSON No. 6 Make sure that your pressure bar moves freely up and down and doesn't bind.
LESSON No. 7 Double check everything before moving on the next step. (See Lessons 2 and 4)
Don't ask me how I learned this. :p
Here are some lessons I have learned:
LESSON No. 1 Gears that were not properly installed and that have play in them will allow one side of the table to move before the other side does.
One time the left side was high and then the right side would be high. Took a while to find that one and get it all adjusted out. Now the table position is repeatable within .003.
LESSON No 2 always remember to TIGHTEN the sets screws when you done. Snug doesn't work.
LESSON No 3. Gibbs need to be very snug, but not tight. That was minor but when your dealing with these measurements it was causing some inconsistency. The only way to see it was with the dial indicator. Because you couldn't see any movement in the table but it was there!
LESSON No. 4 Remember that once you re-level the table with the cutter head to recheck everything else! (See Lesson No. 2)
LESSON No. 5 If your feeder rollers are not level with the table which is level with the cutter head your stock will try to creep to one side as it feeds through. (see Lesson No. 4)
LESSON No. 6 Make sure that your pressure bar moves freely up and down and doesn't bind.
LESSON No. 7 Double check everything before moving on the next step. (See Lessons 2 and 4)
Don't ask me how I learned this. :p