Thickness Planer

AIM: what are the components of a Thickness Planer?

Thickness Planer Basic function: The "thickness" or surface planer is designed to one make the broad surfaces of a workpiece flat and smooth and two create a even thickness throughout it's length.

Planer Anatomy - External

Planer Anatomy - internal Adjustable table: Adjusts up and down via a rotating handle. Cutterhead: Typically holds two to four knives.

Planer Anatomy - internal Bed Rollers: Most planers have two bed rollers mounted in the table, one in front of the cutterhead, and one behind it. They roll due to the pressure created by material being fed by the upper rollers, which are motorized.

Planer Anatomy - internal Infeed Rollers: The infeed roller moves the stock into the cutterhead Located in front of the cutterhead Often made in sections Entire roller is slightly striated so it can grab the wood The tension of this roller should be great enough that it actually depresses lines into the wood

Planer Anatomy - internal Chip Breaker: As the knives of the cutterhead exit the wood, the upward thrust can chip out, tear, or splinter the wood. The chip breaker, which is sometimes sectionalized, prevents this.

Planer Anatomy - internal Pressure Bar: Piece of metal located between the cutterhead and the outfeed roller Its purpose is to help hold the wood down on the table to decrease vibration. The chip breaker performs this function on the infeed side.

Planer Anatomy - internal Outfeed Roller: Smooth metal or rubber roller Works with the pressure bar to keep material flat on the table Like the infeed roller, it is spring-loaded to accommodate variations in wood thickness Some roller springs are adjustable so the pressure on the wood can be varied.

Planer Anatomy - internal Anti-kickback fingers: Anti-kickback fingers help prevent stock from being thrown from the machine. These fingers operate by gravity and should be inspected for pitch or gum buildup.

Planer Safety and Techniques Chip guard (cutterhead cover) must always be in place Stand to one side while planing, not in line with the stock The planer will not flatten twisted or cupped lumber. One side must be flat prior to planing. Never plane a board that is too short. The board should be a minimum of 12” longer than the distance between the infeed and the outfeed rollers. The workpiece should be supported beyond the outfeed table to prevent snipe

Planer Safety and Techniques Allow the machine to reach full speed before feeding stock Always release the board once the feed rollers take hold. Do not follow stock with your hands. The planer is self-feeding. Place boards in such a way that your fingers don’t get pinched Never surface used, dirty or painted lumber. If a board gets stuck in the machine, lower the bed and turn off the power Use a dust collection system – otherwise you will get chip build-up which will cause dents in your material

Complete the following diagram Complete the following diagram. Word bank: Base, Elevating handwheel, Pressure bar adjustment, Safety push button magnetic controls, Depth of cut gage, Cutter head motor, Variable speed feed roll control

For homework complete the following diagram For homework complete the following diagram. Word bank: Bed rollers, Infeed roller, Outfeed roller, Chip breaker, Pressure bar