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OPERATION
A spring loaded depth-of-cut gauge is attached to the front of
the rollercase. The pointer on the depth-of-cut gauge accu-
rately displays the depth of cut per pass when the workpiece
is positioned below the gauge. Cranking the handle moves the
rollercase down while the pointer shows the desired depth of
cut.
Start by adjusting the depth of cut to make an inital light cut.
Note that each revolution of the height adjustment handle is
equivalent to 2 mm.
CAUTION: A 3/32" depth-of-cut on hard, softwood 6-12"
Figure 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, 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.
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 direc-
tions in the middle of the 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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