Ask the Expert
IF YOU HAVE A PRODUCT RELATED QUESTION, PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT US FORM FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. THIS SECTION IS RESERVED FOR GENERAL WOODWORKING RELATED QUESTIONS.
Michael Van Pelt is the founder of American Sycamore Woodworker’s Retreat. He has a reputation as the tool guru. Mike has been in woodworking for over thirty years. His knowledge of tools comes from his many years of intertwining experience in the woodworking industry. Mike’s experiences include being active as an Industrial Arts Teacher, professional instructor of power machinery and tool techniques, tool sales, management and owner of woodworking tool retail store, Delta Machinery representative and technical advisory.
If you have a question for Michael, choose the Submit Question button to the right by November 30th. We will send you a reply with Mike's response in mid-December and then post it to this page for other members to view. You never know...someone else may have the same question
IF YOU HAVE A PRODUCT RELATED QUESTION, PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT US FORM FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. THIS SECTION IS RESERVED FOR GENERAL WOODWORKING RELATED QUESTIONS.
Listed below are questions and answers that have already been submitted.
Questions
[ Back To Main ]
4/16/2009
Wax on Planer?
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
What kind of wax do you use on the table and how often do put it on? |
| A. |
Never wax but "Top Cote" that has a Teflon like component that dries completely and never cause a contamination issue in gluing or finishing. It is by Bostitch. At Woodcraft 800 225 1153 |
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8/26/2008
Jointer vs. Planer
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
What the different between a PLANERS AND JOINTERS? What is each used for? Can a Planers be use as a jointers? |
| A. |
The old question of jointer vs. planer! I meet and talk with many beginning
wood workers and I am asked: “Which should I buy first, the planer or the
jointer?”
I answer the question “YES”. A planer can not be used
for a jointer and a jointer can not be used for a planer. They are a team and
each does a separate and most important function. A jointer flattens a board and
a planer will thickness a board. The process I use for preparing stock: I buy
my lumber rough so I can control the process and get good results. I lay out my
lumber and using a lumber crayon I mark project pieces out and rough cut to
length. I then face joint my lumber flat and then with the face I just planed
flat up against the jointer fence I joint one edge. The planer is next. Take
the flat face down and run it thru the planer to desired thickness. The table
saw is the next machine.
With the jointed edge against the saw fence I then rip
the other edge parallel In my opinion learning how to produce square flat
consistent lumber is the secret to woodworking.
|
[ Back To Main ]
6/20/2008
Planer Snipe
Answer provided by Mike Heavey
| Q. |
What is sniping and should I generally lock the cutting head to reduce it or not. |
| A. |
Snipe happens when the tail end of the board your feeding passes the first roller and the pressure of the roller is released and the board lifts slightly and more material is planed. To work with this, try following the board with a sacrificial scrap board against the edge of the good piece so the roller can’t lift the board up. Always lock the cutter head down. Mike |
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2/19/2008
Planer Rollers
Answer provided by Mike Heavey
| Q. |
I have an aging Delta Planer. The rollers do not grip and feed the board
like they should. They feel hard and
smooth. Can I treat them with anything?
A friend suggested linseed oil?
What do you think? |
| A. |
Slipping
usually this means the feed rollers are dirty. To remove the pitch build-up, use naphtha, or mineral spirits on the
rollers. Remember to unplug the machine
first for safety sake. This should take care of the problem. Never use any type of oil on your rollers, because
the oil will not dry and transfer to the material that passes across it. |
[ Back To Main ]
2/19/2008
Planer Slips
Answer provided by Mike Heavey
| Q. |
I
have a Delta 12 1/2 " planer that the infeed and outfeed rollers slip and
will not feed properly. They seem to have some kind of wax coating that I have
picked up from the wood. Mainly pine. How can I clean them? Short of taking the
machine apart? How can I prevent this? |
| A. |
Slipping
usually this means the feed rollers are dirty. To remove the pitch build- up, use naphtha, or mineral spirits on the
rollers. Remember to unplug the machine
first for safety sake. |
[ Back To Main ]
2/19/2008
Planer Snipe
Answer provided by Mike Heavey
| Q. |
I
WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY EVERY TIME I PLANE A PIECE OF WOOD THE LAST 2 INCHES OF MY
PIECE THAT COMES OUT OF MY PLANER IS ALWAYS A BIT LOWER? I ADJUSTED THE INFEED AND
THE OUTFEED TABLE. STILL THE SAME. |
| A. |
That’s
called snipe. Snipe happens when the tail end of the board your feeding passes the first roller and the pressure of
the roller is released and the board lifts slightly
and more material is planed. To work with this, try following the board with a sacrificial scrap board against the edge of the good piece so the
roller can’t lift the board
up. |
[ Back To Main ]
2/19/2008
Planer
Answer provided by Mike Heavey
| Q. |
When
I run a piece of wood through the planer it chips the wood. Would dull blades
cause this? |
| A. |
Chipping is caused
by one of two things, dull cutters or wrong grain direction when be feed into the planer. Here’s what to
look for in grain direction feeding.
Grain
usually runs from somewhere within (or through) a piece of wood to
the surface. If that high point
encounters the cutter first, the chipping
or separated ends. With the ends of the grain angling away from the cutter, the ends are more likely to
slice cleanly, leaving a smooth
surface. If the grain direction was correct, then the cutters need to be changed. |
[ Back To Main ]
2/14/2008
Planer Snipe
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q. |
I have a Delta Shopmaster and I am experiencing snipe at the front and
tail end of the boards. I am going crazy
making adjustments to the front and rear beds, as well as external support beds
- nothing works! Does anyone have any
suggestions on how to eliminate this problem?
|
| A. |
Here
are the tips. First lock the head before making a planning pass. Take very
light cuts. Second, feed the board under the infeed roller then lift up gently
on the board before it engages the cutter head. This helps to keep the board
flat to the table. As the board exits the planer again lift the board to help
keep it flat to the table. These tips will help! |
[ Back To Main ]
8/6/2007
Delta Portable Planer
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q: |
I was planing some very rough mesquite with my
22-560 and hit a high spot that bogged the machine down and killed it before I
could shut it off or raise the blade. Is there any kind of circuit breaker
reset switch on this machine, or have I just pretty much toasted the
motor? If the latter, wouldn't it be almost as cheap to buy a new one
rather than repair the old one? |
| A: |
You are indeed correct….Mesquite is very hard. Mesquite
is also very beautiful and worth the effort.
I am sorry that you are having a problem with your planer. I suggest that you take your planer in for
service and have an estimate for repair.
This will give you the facts and then you will be able to make a
decision. My gut feeling is that the motor will be OK….just have it checked out
and we will go from there. Let me know
what happens.
|
[ Back To Main ]
8/6/2007
Dulling Knives
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q: |
I have a 12 1/2" delta planer that when I am planing 6
inch wide oak boards, I only plane 7 boards on one side of the knives. How do I
extend the knife life? I don’t take deep cuts because I can’t afford to buy knives
every few days.
|
| A: |
Ouch! Yes I agree
with you that it would become expensive going through knives that quickly. We must have a problem. I have sold hundreds of small planers with no
reported problems and talked with 100’s of satisfied owners of this
machine. I called the local service
center and they report that have not had any service issues with the 12 ½ “
planers. A few things come to mind:
1. Are you using dust collection? Not having dust collection will result in
premature wear of the knives.
2. Perhaps the knives are defective. A bad grind or not
being manufactured correctly?.
3.
The lumber is dirty and contains sand
and imbedded gravel dulling the knives?. |
[ Back To Main ]
8/6/2007
Infeed Roller Marks
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q: |
With the 22-785x 15" planer, when I am
taking thin cuts, I get infeed roller marks. These are deep in soft woods
and sometimes difficult to get out. What is the best operating
practice for always getting a smooth cut? |
| A: |
If you are getting
infeed roller marks I believe you have a knife setting problem. The knives simply are not cutting deep enough
to remove the marks, the knives are perhaps set too low of a projection out of
the planer head, Perhaps you have one knife that is set higher and is doing all
the work alone. I suggest that you
re-set your knives according to your owner’s manual.”
|
[ Back To Main ]
6/29/2007
Guards on Planer
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q: |
What is a kidney guard when referring to a
planer? I am filling out a risk survey form in a school and I have a question
that states: Is the "kidney guard" in place a spring loaded on the
planer? What is a kidney guard? I am thinking they are referring to a
large planer like I have in the shop---but now I am wondering if this question
isn't directed toward a hand held planer? |
| A: |
I think they are referring to the guard on a
jointer not the planer. Shoot this one back to the insurance company and ask if
this is correct. Thanks for teaching one of the world’s most important skills!
Keep up the fine work! |
[ Back To Main ]
6/25/2007
Maintenance on Planers
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q: |
I have a Delta 12" planer and wonder
what preventive maintenance - especially gears and bearings - is
required? |
| A: |
I have two of these. Great
tools! The bearings are sealed so just keep the chips and dust cleaned out. The
best recommendation I have is to buy a dust collector and a dust collector hook
up to put the chips where they belong in the first place. Believe me, youll
enjoy it! |
[ Back To Main ]
6/25/2007
Carbide Knives
Answer provided by Scott Phillips
| Q: |
Is there any company that sells
carbide knives for delta joiners and planers? |
| A: |
I am sure there is but I
might suggest this first. High quality steel can be sharpened to a keener edge
than carbide. Carbide is great for certain things but in my opinion not for
jointer and planer knives. Years ago I tested carbide knives in a prototype
planer and got lots of tear out on every species of wood tested. I was very
disappointed because I thought carbide would eliminate frequent blade
changes.
With modern steel planer and jointer alloys we get the best of
both worlds smooth cuts and long blade life. I recommend staying with all steel
blades for planers and jointers for this reason. Plus they cost a bucket full on
money less than carbide. Buy the magna jig to help with quick blade changes. |
