Wood Characteristics

The species of wood, as well as condition, will affect planing ability—the harder the wood, the more difficult it will be to plane. We have included a list of wood characteristics you may encoun- ter when planing, The following descriptions of defects will give you some possible answers to problems that may arise.

Chipped Grain (Tear Out) — Usually a result of cutting against the grain, or planing wood with knots or excessive amount of cross grain. Chipped grain can also be caused by dull knives or misaligned chip breaker. Often, chipped grain can be avoided by slowing down the feed rate and by taking shallow cuts, If those options do not work, inspect your lumber and determine if its grain pattern is causing the problem. If the wood does not show substantial crossgrain, inspect your knives for sharpness and inspect the chip breaker for proper alignment.

Fuzzy Grain (Raised Grain) — Usually caused by surfacing lumber with too high of a moisture content. Sometimes fuzzy grain is a characteristic of wood such as basswood. Fuzzy grain can also be caused by dull knives or an incorrect grinding bevel. Check with a moisture meter. If moisture is greater than 20%, sticker the wood and allow it to dry. Otherwise, inspect the knife condition.

Glossy Surface — Usually caused by dull knives taking shallow cuts at a slow feed speed. Surface gloss will usually be accompanied by overheat- ing. Lumber will often be scorched and eventually damage to the knives will occur. If the knives are sharp on inspection, increase feed speed or cut- ting depth.

Snipe — Occurs when board ends have more material removed them the rest of the board. Usually caused when one or both of the table roll- ers are set too high. Can also be caused by the chip breaker or pressure bar being set too high. However, a small amount of snipe is inevitable.

Snipe can be minimized by proper adjustment of the planer components, but complete removal of

snipe is unlikely. More likely, you will be able to reduce it to a tolerance of .002". If snipe under that level is a problem, consider cutting lumber longer that your intended work length and cut off the excess after planing is completed.

Uneven Knife Marks — Uneven knife marks can occur when the chip breaker is set too high. Inspect cutterhead bearings if re-adjustment of the chip breaker fails to remedy the situation.

Chatter Marks — Usually caused by incorrect chip breaker and pressure bar setting heights. Chatter marks can also be caused by running a narrow wood piece through the planer at either the right or left end of the cutterhead. Chatter, like uneven knife marks, will show in the form of a “washboard” look. Chatter marks are more likely to be inconsistent in appearance than uneven knife marks.

Wavy Surface — Caused by poor knife height adjustment, wavy surface appears when one knife is taking deeper cuts than the rest of the knives. Remedy by resetting the knives to a toler- ance of approximately .001" from one end to the other.

Pitch & Glue Build-Up— Glue and resin build- up on the rollers and the cutterhead will cause overheating by decreasing cutting sharpness while increasing drag in the feed mechanism. The result can include scorched lumber as well as uneven knife marks and chatter.

Chip Marks — Occur when chips are not prop- erly expelled from the cutterhead. The knives catch the chips and drag them across the lum- ber being planed. Chips tend to be random and non-uniform (compared to chipped grain). This problem can be caused by exhaust blockage or too much room between the cutterhead and the chip deflector. Using a dust collection system in combination with the planer can help reduce chip marks. Inspect the chip deflector and re-adjust spring tension.

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Extreme Duty Planers

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Grizzly G9740 instruction manual Wood Characteristics

G9740 specifications

The Grizzly G9740 is a versatile and powerful benchtop metal band saw designed for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Known for its robust construction and high performance, this machine stands out as an essential tool for any workshop that requires precise cutting of metal materials.

One of the main features of the G9740 is its powerful 1 HP motor, which delivers smooth and consistent cutting performance. This motor provides the necessary torque to handle a variety of metal cutting tasks, from simple cross-cuts to complex curves. Additionally, the saw operates at two different speeds, allowing users to adjust the cutting rate according to the material being worked on, which enhances its versatility.

The G9740 is engineered with a durable cast iron frame that not only reduces vibration but also contributes to the overall stability of the saw during operation. This stability is crucial for achieving accurate cuts, especially when working with thicker materials. The band saw is equipped with a precision ground cast iron table that provides ample support for the workpiece, ensuring that it can handle large and heavy materials with ease.

Another notable characteristic of the Grizzly G9740 is its large cutting capacity. The saw can accommodate stock up to 7 inches in height and 10 inches in width, making it ideal for a wide range of projects, from custom metal fabrications to intricate hobby work. The adjustable blade guide system ensures that the blade remains properly aligned, which is essential for maintaining cutting accuracy over extended periods.

Safety is a top priority with the Grizzly G9740. The machine comes with several safety features, including a blade guard that protects users from accidental contact with the cutting blade. Moreover, the saw is designed with a reliable tensioning mechanism that keeps the blade tight and secure during operation, minimizing the risk of blade breakage or misalignment.

In summary, the Grizzly G9740 is a highly capable benchtop metal band saw that offers a combination of power, precision, and safety. Its robust design, flexible speed settings, and generous cutting capacity make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to tackle metal cutting projects with confidence and accuracy. Whether for professional use or personal projects, the G9740 is a reliable tool that will deliver consistent and high-quality results.