ST1007/12/14 15" & 20" Planers (Mfd. Since 3/16)
-41-
Machine Operation
PROBLEM
POSSIBLE CAUSE
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Excessive snipe
(gouge in end
of board that is
uneven with rest
of cut).
Note:
A small
amount of snipe is
inevitable with all
types of planers.
The key is minimiz-
ing it as much as
possible.
1. One or both of bed rollers are set too high.
2. Outfeed extension slopes down or is not level
with main table.
3. Chipbreaker/pressure bar set too low.
4. Workpiece is not supported as it leaves planer.
5. Some snipe is inevitable.
1. Lower bed rollers (Page 27).
2. Shim outfeed extension wing level with main table.
3. Raise height of chipbreaker or pressure bar (Page 42).
4. Hold workpiece up slightly as it leaves outfeed end of
planer.
5. Plane lumber longer than your intended workpiece
length, then cut off excess after planing complete.
Workpiece stops/
slows in middle
of cut.
1. Taking too heavy of a cut.
2. One or both of bed rollers are set too low or too
high.
3. Chipbreaker or pressure bar set too low.
4. Feed rollers set too low or too high.
5. Pitch and glue build up on planer components.
1. Take a lighter cut.
2. Lower/raise bed rollers (Page 27).
3. Raise height of chipbreaker or pressure bar (Page 42).
4. Lower/raise feed rollers (Page 42).
5. Clean internal cutterhead components with a pitch/
resin dissolving solvent.
Chipping (consis-
tent pattern).
1. Knots or conflicting grain direction in wood.
2. Taking too deep of a cut.
3. Feeding workpiece too fast.
4. Mis-adjusted chipbreaker.
5. Nicked or chipped knife/insert.
1. Inspect workpiece for knots and grain direction; only
use clean stock, and cut WITH the grain.
2. Take a smaller depth of cut. (Reduce cutting depth when
planing hard woods.)
3. Slow down feed rate.
4. Adjust both sides of chipbreaker to correct height.
5. Replace affected knife (Page 28), or have it sharpened;
rotate/replace insert (Page 30).
Chipping/indenta-
tion in workpiece
surface (inconsis-
tent pattern).
1. Chips aren't being properly expelled from
cutterhead.
2. Chip breaker not set correctly.
1. Use a proper dust collection system.
2. Correctly adjust chip breaker (Page 42).
Fuzzy grain.
1. Wood may have high moisture content or surface
wetness.
2. Dull knives/inserts.
1. Check moisture content is below 20% and allow to dry if
moisture is too high.
2. Replace knives (Page 28) or have them professionally
sharpened; rotate/replace inserts (Page 30).
Long lines or ridg-
es that run along
length of board.
1. Nicked or chipped knife/inserts.
1. Replace knives (Page 28) or have them professionally
sharpened; rotate/replace inserts (Page 30).
Uneven cutting`
marks, wavy sur-
face, or chatter
marks across face
of board.
1. Feeding workpiece too fast.
2. Chipbreaker or pressure bar set unevenly or not
low enough.
3. Knives not installed evenly/inserts not properly
installed.
4. Worn cutterhead bearings.
1. Slow down feed rate.
2. Adjust height of chipbreaker or pressure bar (Page 42).
3. Adjust knives with knife gauge (Page 28); remove
inserts, properly clean mounting pocket and re-install
(Page 30).
4. Replace cutterhead bearings.
Glossy surface.
1. Knives/inserts are dull.
2. Feeding workpiece too slow.
3. Cutting depth too shallow.
1. Replace knives (Page 28) or have them professionally
sharpened; rotate/replace inserts (Page 30).
2. Increase feed rate.
3. Increase depth of cut.
If workpiece twists
in machine.
1. Pressure bar set unevenly.
2. Feed rollers not parallel with table.
1. Adjust height of pressure bar (Page 42).
2. Adjust feed rollers (Page 42).
