Planer

Our Planer
Where the planer is stored when not in use

Information:

A planer is used to quickly and consistently mill rough wood stock so that it has a smooth surface and a uniform thickness parallel to its opposing face. The user can adjust the exact amount of material removal desired, at which point they feed the stock into the machine and rotating cutting blades shave off material from its upper face.

Other than removing rough segments, planers are typically used to turn longer stock of wood of one dimension into another one, such as planing the sides of a 2x4 until it becomes a 2x3.

Safety Basics:

  • Personal Safety:

    • Wear safety glasses at all times.

    • Avoid loose clothing, tie back hair

  • Environmental Safety:

    • Attach shop-vac vacuum to machine for ventilation (see below).

    • Sweep up excess sawdust after operation

  • Operational Safety:

    • Have a trained AMS mentor present with you in the wood room during operation.

    • Never place your hands through the planer; let the machine pass your piece of wood by simply sliding it in through the front and collecting it from the back. Conversely, do not force your stock through the machine.

    • Do not plane material shorter than 14'' or narrower than 3/4''

How to Use:

Ventilation

  • Attach chip collector to the back of the planar using the 3 screws

  • Connect vacuum to the side of the chip collector and turn on vacuum

Guide adjustment

  • WITH MACHINE OFF: Raise blade height using wheel on side above the height of your piece

  • Place your piece under the very front of the entrance and lower the height, keeping an eye on the tolerance indicator on the front of the machine

  • Raise/lower the blades until the tolerance indicator shows your desired amount of material removal

Operation

  • Flip toggle switch up to power on machine

  • Stand to the side of the planar and feed the front of your stock into it

  • The planer will "grab" the piece, feeding it through itself

  • Do not pull the stock through. The machine will "release" the wood after it has finished cutting. It is safe to grab when it is no longer moving

  • If further material needs to be removed, lower the blade height by desired amount and pass stock back through until desired smoothness/height is reached

  • To ensure truly parallel sides, flip you piece and level the other side using the same procedure

OEM Manual:

Manual Link

Specifications:

  • Max planing depth: 1/8''

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