Wen PL1252 Instruction Manual page 13

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 depth of cut is 1/8" for workpieces less than 6" wide, and 1/16" for workpieces wider than 6". The
wider the workpiece, the shallower the depth of cut should be. The harder the species of wood, the shallower the
depth of cut should be.
• The smaller the depth of cut, the better the finished surface. It is better to take multiple shallow passes on a work-
piece, rather than one deep pass; this is better for the motor and cutting inserts, and will prolong their lives.
• If boards are cupped or bowed, use a jointer to flatten them out, or take multiple shallow passes until the work has
one flat side. Once a level surface has been created, flip the workpiece and create parallel sides. It is easiest to do
this if you can rip-cut the boards into multiple pieces beforehand.
• As a rule of thumb, it is best to alternate sides of the board being planed until the desired thickness is reached. This
will result in the board having a more-uniform moisture content, since half of the total depth of cut has been taken
from each side. Any additional drying should not cause warping or cupping.
• Scrap wood is your best friend. Make a cut on a test piece to verify the finish produced, as well as the accuracy of
the depth of cut and the thickness of the finished product.
PREPARING 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 the magnitude of warpage.
Work should be fed into the planer in the same direction as the grain of the wood. Sometimes the grain will change
direction in the middle of the board. In such cases, if possible, cut the board in the middle before planing, so that
the grain direction is correct. Always plane with the grain.
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.
OPERATION
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