Planer giving me problems - Woodworking Talk

bigredc · 02-07-2008, 03:15 PM

I got about a 10 year old Delta 12" planer about 6 months ago. Like I do with most used tools, new to me, I took it apart to inspect it and look at the blades etc. Everything looked good I adjusted the blades. It worked great. I has continued to work great for the last 6 months. In the last week I've been getting snip. I think that's the right term. When you put the board in, it over cuts the first 1" or 2". I haven't looked at it yet. does it have something to do with blade adjustment? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks Chris.

dbhost · 02-07-2008, 03:28 PM

I believe the term is snipe, like the semi fictional bird of countless boy scout pranks...

Take a look at the following URL for an explanation of what snipe is, and how to fix it...http://www.woodezine.com/08_2004/0804_snipe.html

bigredc · 02-07-2008, 04:49 PM

thanks dbhost. I just left the e off. That's what I meant. I was afraid there wasn't an easy fix. I think the woodworks guy had said just always make your boards longer. That's something I need to remember. I'm strugling as it is trying not to screw up.
Chris

dbhost · 02-07-2008, 05:19 PM

LOL, I totally know that feeling. I am learning all I can, as fast as I can, and am ending up with some successes, and some failures. But each failure brings more learning, so it isn't really a failure.

JON BELL · 02-08-2008, 12:08 PM

There is an easy fix...if you put a series of boards through continuoslylyly,only the first and last boards will get snipped.Use scrap for these and the good boards will be safe.
Also I haven't tried it yet,but a Delta rep. told me to put a dime on the beginning of the infeed table.Put a straight edge on the bed and raise the infeed table until it's level.Do the same for the outfeed.Maybe that'll work.

bigredc · 02-08-2008, 01:43 PM

Everybody talks like it's a design problem, but the machine has worked fine for 6 months. So the way I see it is something has changed. I extended both in-feed and out-feed tables. It didn't do any thing. When you put a strait edge from roller to roller there is about a 1/16" gap between the strait edge and the knives. So something compresses in order for the knives to contact the board. I thought it was just the rubber of the roller. I stick my level in and lift. I can easily lift up on the front roller (in-feed). It's spring loaded. I try to push up on the rear (out-feed) and it won't budge. I dig into it a little further, I take the top and side covers off so I can get at things. from the side, with my thumbs I can fairly easily push up on the front roller. I try the same with the rear and it doesn't budge. After head scratching for a while, I start to unbolt the bearing caps (for lack of a better word) The rear spring pushes down as I unscrew the bolts. Once I get some tension off, I can compress the spring a little. I bolted it back together till I get a manual. I think the front springs have worn a little. It fits. When the board hits the rear rollers, it presses down on the board and tried to lift the other end. The springs aren't strong enough to resist. The part that doesn't make sense is that I've only been woodworking 6 months. I looked at the machine for an hour. How is it that I figured out what no one else has. The springs can't cost that much. I'm going to replace them and see what happens. Maybe someone else with the same problem can check the spring tension on there rollers.

JON BELL · 02-08-2008, 02:25 PM

It can't be that

Can't wait to see if it works for you.

Rob · 02-08-2008, 08:27 PM

I've got a Delta 12" planer and it has given my boards snipe since I bought it new 16 years ago. It only happens on the leading edge if I pick up gently on the board as it is coming out. (No snipe on trailing edge)
I have danced through all the hoops years ago to rectify it, to no avail. Now I just cut my boards 2" longer than needed.

bigredc · 02-09-2008, 11:10 AM

Darn I was hoping I caught this before anybody read it. Like Rob says If anything you want LIFT on the board. The fact the springs are week if anything would help. I am placing my foot in my mouth now. O well. I did say how can it Be that I figured it out. Most people would have enough sense not to put there idea where everyone can see without proving it first.

Chris

bigredc · 02-09-2008, 11:16 AM

The owner of the woodcraft near me said he has a 13" Delta planer that came in for repair. Before he got it done the guy passed away. He said he'd sell it to me for a couple hundred bucks. I wonder how much I could get for my 12" Delta?
Chris

Paul K · 02-09-2008, 12:17 PM

You might look at the thread in OWWM recently on adjusting snipe in a powermatic 100, (12 inch) planer. Quite detailed and will help you. Yes, if you lift the board at the end, it helps, but if the pressure rollers are adjusted correctly, that will solve the problem.

bigredc · 02-18-2008, 04:52 PM

I got the new springs for my rollers. I had said the rear roller was much stiffer, and thought it was because the fronts were worn. It turns out the rear springs are about 1/4" taller. I replaced them and did a very thorough going over. the gear box was packed with a thick mixture of grease and saw dust. I could hardly turn the gears with my fingers. After I cleaned it I could make them spin with the air nozzle from my compressor. So that was putting a little extra strain on the motor. I made sure the seat's were very clean that the rollers moved up and down in. The snip is pretty much gone. Some passes had a very small amount. It is way better. I also adjusted the blades, they were way out. I don't think The bladed's had anything to do with it. They were in to deep. So I'm happy with it. I repainted the cabinet that it sits on,Put new wood under it, and made a little dolly to sit the whole thing on. It was kind of tippy before (narrow wheel base).
Chris

Marko · 02-18-2008, 10:07 PM

theres a 12" Delta Planer parked in your designated Harley Davidson parking space...what gives?lol