Wen 6550 Instruction Manual page 10

OPERATION
DEPTH OF CUT (FIGURE 8)
Depth-of-cut is adjusted by raising or lowering the rollercase us-
ing handle. Each full rotation of the handle moves the rollercase
1/16". Quality of thickness planing depends on the operator's
judgement about the depth of cut. Depth of cut depends on the
width, hardness, dampness, grain direction and grain structure
of the wood. Maximum thickness of wood which can be re-
moved in one pass is 3/32" for planing operations on workpiec-
es up to 5" wide. Workpiece must be positioned away from the
center tab on the rollercase to cut 3/32". Maximum thickness
of wood which can be removed in one pass is 3/32" for planing
Figure 8
operations on workpiece from 5" up to 121/2" wide.
CAUTION: A 3/32" depth-of-cut on hard, softwood 6-12" wide can be made. However, continuous operation at
this set-up can cause premature motor failure.
• For optimum planing performance, the depth of cut should be less than 1/16". Run the board a few times be-
fore adding depth to ensure the best possible cuts.
• Boards should be planed with shallow cuts until the work has a level side (or alternatively the use of a power
jointer can be employed). Once a level surface has been created, flip the lumber and create parallel sides.
• Plane alternate sides until the desired thickness is obtained. When half of the total depth of cut is taken from
each side, the board will have a uniform moisture content. Any additional drying should not cause it to warp.
• Depth of cut should be shallower when work is wider.
• When planing hardwood, take light cuts or plane the wood in thin widths.
• Make a test cut with a test piece and verify the thickness produced.
• Check accuracy of test cut prior to working on finished product.
PREPARE WORK
Thickness planers work best when at least one side of the lumber is flat. Use a surface planer or a jointer to create
a flat surface. Twisted or severely warped boards can jam the planer and should not be used. Rip lumber in half to
reduce magnitude of warp.
Work should be fed into the planer in same direction as the grain of the wood. Sometimes grain will change
directions in middle of board. In such cases, if possible, cut board in middle before planing so grain direction is
correct. NEVER PLANE AGAINST THE GRAIN DIRECTION OF THE WOOD. DO NOT PLANE END
GRAIN, AS THE WOOD COULD SPLINTER OR POSSIBLY EXPLODE.
CAUTION: Do not plane board which is less than 14-1/2" long; force of cut could split board and cause kick-
back.
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