21
Preparing the Work
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A thickness planer works best when the
lumber has at least one flat surface. Use a
jointer to create a flat surface.
!
Twisted or severely warped boards ca n jam
the planer. Rip the lumber in half to reduce
the magnitude of the warp.
!
The work should be fed into the planer in the
same direction as the grain of t he wood.
Sometimes the wood will change directio ns
in the middle of the board. In such c ases, if
possible, cut the board in the middle so the
grain direction is correct.
Do not plane a board that is
less than 6" long. It is reco mmended that
when planing short boards you butt them
end to end to avoid kickback and re duce
snipe.
Feeding the Work
The planer is supplied with planer blades
mounted in the cutterhead. Feed direction is left
to right (see Figure 10). The planer feed is
automatic; it will vary slig htly depending on the
type of wood.
Preparation:
!
Feed rate refers to the rate at w hich the
lumber travels through the planer.
!
The operator is responsible for al igning the
work so it will feed proper ly.
!
Raise or lower the table to get the depth of
cut desired.
!
The surface that t he p la ner pr oduc es w ill be
smoother if a shallower depth of cut is used.
!
Stand on the front side of the machine.
!
Boards longer than 24” should have
additional support from free standi ng
material stands. These can be p urchased
from JET – Stock # 709207. See Optional
Accessories on page 7.
Planing:
1. Position the w orkpiece with the face to be
planed on top.
Note: Feed direction is left to right (see
Figure 10).
2. Turn the planer on.
3. Rest the board end on the infeed s ide of t he
table and direct the board into the planer.
4. Slide the workpiece into the infeed side of
the planer until the infeed roller begins to
advance the workpiece.
5. Let go of the workpiece and allow the
automatic feed to advance the workpiece.
6. Do not push or pull on the workpiece. Move
to the rear and receive the planed lumber by
grasping it in the same manner that it was
fed.
To avoid the risk of injury
due to kickbacks, do not stand d irectly in
line with the front or rear of the planer.
7. Do not grasp any portion of the board that
has not gone past the infeed roller.
8. Repeat this oper ation on all of the boards
that need to be the same thickness.
Avoiding Snipe
Snipe refers to a depression at either end of the
board caused by an uneven force on the
cutterhead when the work is enter ing or lea ving
the planer.
Snipe will occur when the boards are not
supported properly or when only o ne feed r oller
is in contact with the work at the begi nning or
end of the cut.
Precautions for avoiding snipe:
!
Push the board up while feeding the work
until the outfeed roller starts advancing it.
!
Move to the rear and receive the planed
board by pushing it up when the infeed roller
looses contact with the board.
!
When planing more than one board of the
same thickness, butt the boards together to
avoid snipe.
!
Make shallow cuts. Snipe is more apparent
when deeper cuts are taken.
!
Feed the work in the direction of the grain.
Work fed against the grain will have
chipped, splintered edges.