Wen 6552, Instruction Manual

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OPERATION
HEIGHT OF CUT
Rotate crank handle (Fig. 7 - 1) to adjust height of cut-
terhead. The depth scale (Fig. 7 - 2) shows height of the
cutterhead above the main table. The quality of the planed
wood depends on the operator’s experience and judgment
about the depth of cut. The depth of cut depends on the
width, species, hardness, moisture content, grain direction,
and grain structure of the wood. The maximum thickness is
3/32” for planing operations.
A spring loaded depth-of-cut gauge (Fig. 7 - 3) is attached
to the front of the rollercase. The pointer on the depth-of-cut
gauge accurately displays the depth of cut per pass when
the workpiece is positioned below the gauge.
WARNING! Never plane against the grain direction
of the wood. Do not plane end grain, as the wood could
splinter or possibly explode.
WARNING! Do not plane any board shorter than 14-1/2”; the force of the cut could split the board and cause
kickback.
DEPTH OF CUT
The front of the rollercase features two small (1/16”) depth-limiting lips on either side of the cutterhead body to
establish the maximum cutting depth as 1/32”, instead of 3/32”, for boards wider than 6”.
While the planer could handle a 3/32” cut on 13” wide boards, it will not only shorten the lifespan of the motor
and cutting blades, but also will give an imperfect finish. The smaller the cutting depth, the better the finished
product will be. It is best to take multiple shallow passes on a workpiece, rather than one deep pass.
NOTE: Each full rotation on the depth-adjustment handle changes the height by 1/16”. For example, 1/4 of a rotation
is 1/64”, 1/2 of a rotation is 1/32”, and 1 full rotation is 1/16”.
• For optimum planing performance, the depth of cut should be 1/32” or less per pass. Run the board a few times
before adding depth to ensure the best possible cuts.
• Boards should be planed with shallow cuts until the work has a level side (or alternatively the use of a power jointer
can be employed). Once a level surface has been created, flip the lumber and create parallel sides.
• Plane alternate sides until the desired thickness is obtained. When half of the total depth of cut is taken from each
side, the board will have a uniform moisture content. Any additional drying should not cause it to warp.
• Depth of cut should be shallower when work is wider.
• When planing hardwood, make light cuts or plane the wood in thin widths.
• Make a test cut with a test piece and verify the thickness produced.
• Check accuracy of test cut prior to working on finished product.
Fig. 7
1
2
3
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