Table of Contents
Advertisement
MAKE SURE THE MACHINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND UNPLUGGED FROM THE POWER SOURCE BEFORE PERFORM-
ING ANY MAINTENANCE OR ADJUSTMENTS.
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE
•
Inspect/test the ON/OFF switches before each use. Do not operate the planer with a damaged switch; replace
a damaged switch immediately.
•
Keep the machine as well the table clean and free of saw dust, woodchips, pitch or glue.Vacuum or brush off
any loose debris and wipe down the machine and the table occasionally with a damp rag.
•
An occasional light coating of paste wax can help protect the table surface and reduce workpiece friction.
Ask your local distributor for suggestions on aftermarket surface cleaners, protectant and dry lubricants based
on what is readily available in your area.
•
Avoid using silicon based products that may affect or react with wood finishing products such as oil, solvent or
water-based stains, varnishes and lacquers.
•
Periodically inspect the power cord and plug for damage. To minimize the risk of electric shock or fire, never
operate the planer with a damaged power cord or plug. Replace a damaged power cord or plug at the first
visible signs of damage.
•
The drive gears, chain and elevation screws should be cleaned of woodchips, dust, debris and old grease.
After cleaning, re-apply a generous coating of any common automotive bearing grease.
•
Regularly inspect planed workpieces for signs of knife/inserts damage or wear and replace damaged or
worn knives immediately.
•
Wipe the chains with a lubricated cloth for medium to slow speed operation.
•
If excessive build-up of dust, dirt or wood shavings occur ; coat chain with a light film of oil (never pour directly
on chain). Over oiling defeats the purpose of the lubrication, the chain will overly accelerate , and will require
constant replacement.
•
The bearings on the cutter head are factory lubricated and sealed, therefore they require no further attention.
INSPECTING CUTTER HEAD KNIVES/INSERTS
Cutter head knives (blades)/inserts are installed in the
planer at the factory. With usage and normal wear over
time, it will eventually become necessary to replace
the knives, or to reverse the inserts if applicable. When
needed, replacement knives (sold in sets of 3) or inserts
(sold in sets of 10) can be ordered through your local
General International distributor under part #30-362
or #30-364 (for model 30-360) or 30-443 (for model 30-
360HC). Observing planed workpieces as they come
out of the machine and looking for signs of knife dam-
age or wear is the best method to help you to deter-
mine when knives/insertions are due to be changed.
Signs to look for include:
1.
A raised ridgeline in the workpiece that runs a
straight line from beginning to end of the board A.
This is generally an indication that one or all of the
knives/inserts has been nicked or damaged by a
for-eign object such as a nail, staple or other hard
ob-ject hidden or embedded in the workpiece.
2.
A slight washboard or chatter effect, B, which can
be an indication of uneven knife wear/insertions or
causing one knife/several inserts to cut just deeper than the other.
3.
Rough, irregular, torn or fuzzy grain on a freshly planed surface may be a sign of worn or dull blades/inserts
causing the wood to tear out. Sharp blades cut crisply and leave a relatively smooth finish.
Note: fuzzy grain can also be a sign of high moisture content in the workpiece. If knives have recently been changed or
if you suspect that moisture content and not dull knives is the cause, set the workpiece aside and test by planing other
boards with known or acceptable moisture content. If the planed results using a different workpiece are smooth, then
moisture content in your wood is the problem - no adjustments can be made to the machine for this. Set the "wet" stock
aside and simply work with drier wood. To maintain even knife wear always replace all knives each time knife replace-
ment is required (only for the model 30-360).
A
EFFECT EXAGGERATED FOR CLARITY
B
EFFECT EXAGGERATED FOR CLARITY
19
Hide quick links:
Advertisement
Table of Contents
