TROUBLESHOOTING
Problem
Motor will not start.
Motor does not develop full
power.
Motor overheats.
Cutterhead slows down or
squeals when cutting, especially
on start-up.
Vibration when running or cutting.
Excessive snipe.
(A small amount of snipe is
normal, but must be minimized
as much as possible).
Workpiece slows down or stops
in the middle of the cut.
Fuzzy grain.
Uneven knife marks or wavy
surface across the face of the
workpiece.
Probable cause
1. Open circuit in motor.
2. Starting capacitor is at fault.
1. Undersized cord or too long.
2. Running capacitor is at fault.
1. Motor overloaded during operation.
2. Restricted motor air circulation.
1. V-belt(s) loose.
2. V-belts worn out.
1. Loose or damaged knife.
2. Damaged V-belt(s).
3. Worn cutterhead bearings.
1. One/both table rollers are too high.
2. Outfeed extension table slopes down.
3. Chipbreaker set too low.
4. Workpiece not supported as it leaves
the planer.
1. Too heavy of a cut.
2. One/both table rollers are too high or
too low.
3. Chipbreaker set too low.
4. Feed rollers are too high or too low.
5. Head not parallel with table.
6. Pitch or glue build-up on components.
1. High wood moisture or wet surface.
2. Dull knives.
1. Feeding workpiece too fast.
2. Chipbreaker set unevenly.
3. Knives installed unevenly.
4. Worn cutterhead bearings.
Probable solution
1. Inspect all motor leads for loose or open connections.
2. Test/replace starting capacitor.
1. Increase cord size and/or reduce cord length.
2. Test/replace running capacitor.
1. Reduce cutting load, take lighter cuts.
2. Clean out motor to provide normal air circulation.
1. Tighten V-belts.
2. Replace V-belts.
1. Tighten or replace knife.
2. Replace V-belts.
3. Check/replace cutterhead bearings.
1. Lower table rollers.
2. Level the outfeed extension table.
3. Raise the height of the chipbreaker.
4. Hold the workpiece up slightly as it leaves the outfeed
end of the planer.
1. Make a lighter cut.
2. Lower/raise table rollers.
3. Raise the height of the chipbreaker.
4. Lower/raise feed rollers.
5. Adjust head parallel with table.
6. Clean the internal cutterhead components with
pitch/resin dissolving solvent.
1. Check moisture content, allow to dry if too high.
2. Replace or sharpen knives.
1. Slow down the feed rate.
2. Adjust height of the chipbreaker.
3. Adjust the knives using the knife gauge.
4. Replace cutterhead bearings.
