Mother's Thickness Planer Survey

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The mechanism used to drive the cutterhead and feed rollers varies between tools produced by different manufacturers, but—if it's to offer the best possible cut—it's essential that the feed system drive be linked with the cutterhead. That way, if knives meet staunch resistance and slow momentarily, the rate of feed will slacken too, providing a consistent surface on the stock.

Some of the heavier stationary machines use geared transmissions and chain drives to make this connection, while the less massive tools might rely upon belt systems. Usually, multiple V-belts are employed as primary drives to transmit power from the motor to the cutterhead assembly. Naturally, belts require more frequent maintenance than do gears or chains, but they're also less expensive to replace.

When you're choosing a machine, it's important to consider how you'll use it. If your work involves surfacing large pieces of roughsawn hardwood, a stationary model with a 3 or 5-horsepower, 220-volt motor and a higher (or variable) feed rate will probably serve you best. On the other hand, if you're more of a hobbyist and tend to work with smaller pieces of mixed-species stock, perhaps a 1-1/2 or 2-horsepower tool set up with a slow feed would be more to your liking. At any rate, don't judge a machine's capability by the horsepower claims alone; some manufacturers quote peak, rather than continuous, power, so it's best to use the motor's amperage rating as a yardstick. Ten amps equals roughly 1 horsepower at 110 volts . . . or 2 horsepower at 220 volts.

It's also critical that you establish the capacities of the machine you intend to buy before you put your cash down. Determine how wide and thick a piece of stock it will accept, and how thin a board it's able to produce. Too, give some thought to the maximum depth of cut it can make in one pass without stalling (in hardwood), and to how short a section it'll feed without skewing or jamming.

SOME FINER POINTS

In addition to these essentials, there are other details you'll want to keep an eye out for as you shop around. For the sake of convenience, make certain that the knives on the cutterhead are accessible and reasonably simple to replace and adjust. At least one manufacturer utilizes a built—in shaft lock that makes this process safer and easier. Likewise, consider the adjustment of the feed rollers and the chipbreaker; if these don't work correctly, neither will the tool. Finally, check out the depth-of-cut mechanism, including the scale. It should travel smoothly and consistently, without requiring an excessive amount of hand effort.

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