1. Thickness Planer

2. AIM: what are the components of a Thickness Planer?

3. 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.

4. Planer Anatomy - External

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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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