Wen 6550 Instruction Manual page 12

HEIGHT OF CUT
Rotate crank handle (Fig. 7 - 1) to adjust height of cut-
terhead. The depth scale (Fig. 7 - 2) shows height of the
cutterhead above the main table. The quality of the planed
wood depends on the operator's experience and judgment
about the depth of cut. The depth of cut depends on the
width, species, hardness, moisture content, grain direction,
and grain structure of the wood. The maximum thickness is
3/32" for planing operations.
WARNING! Never plane against the grain direction
of the wood. Do not plane end grain, as the wood could
splinter or possibly explode.
WARNING! Do not plane any board shorter than 14-
1/2"; the force of the cut could split the board and cause
kickback.
DEPTH OF CUT
The front of the rollercase (Fig. 7 - 3) features a small (1/16") depth-limiting lip in the center of the cutterhead body
in order to establish the maximum cutting depth as 1/32", instead of 3/32", for boards wider than 5-3/4".
While the planer could handle a 3/32" cut on 12-1/2" wide boards, it will not only shorten the lifespan of the motor
and cutting blades, but also will give an imperfect finish. The smaller the cutting depth, the better the finished prod-
uct will be. It is best to take multiple shallow passes on a workpiece, rather than one deep pass.
Each full rotation on the depth-adjustment handle changes the height by 1/16". For example, 1/4 of a rotation is
1/64", 1/2 of a rotation is 1/32", and 1 full rotation is 1/16".
• The depth of cut should be 1/32" or less. Run the board a few times before adding depth to ensure the best pos-
sible cuts.
• For optimum planing performance, the depth of cut should be less than 1/64" per pass. Run the board a few times
before adding depth to ensure the best possible cuts.
• Boards should be planed with shallow cuts until the work has a level side (alternatively, use a jointer). 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, make 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.
12
OPERATION
3
Fig. 7
1
2