NEW! Faster Search Option

DeWalt Planer feed problems

DeWalt Planer feed problems (post #169645)

CaptinGreg on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 16:50

Power Tools and Machinery

I recently purchased a used DeWalt 735 13 inch planer. It appears to be in excellent condition but I am finding some problems with the feed. when I look at the table I see what appears to be tree sap on it. The feed rollers appear to have the same substance over 2/3 of their length. If I place a narrow board where there is no "sap" it feeds fine. A board placed in the center of the table, however, stops just after entering the cut.

I can clean the table and wax it to reduce friction, but how do I clean the substance off from the rollers? Unfortunately the DeWalt manual does not cover removing and/or cleaning the rollers.

I've had similar issues with (post #169645, reply #1 of 7)

by blopar in reply to CaptinGreg [original] on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 18:15

I've had similar issues with mine, lacquer thinner should remove any residue. It only takes a few minutes for the thinner to evaporate. Acetone or mek would probably work as well.

I would definitely clean the (post #169645, reply #2 of 7)

by PhillipB in reply to CaptinGreg [original] on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 07:10

I would definitely clean the rollers of any sticky residue as best you can. Goo Gone is a citrus solvent that may work well for you. And, because your planer was purchased used, I would check it very throughly for accuracy because you have no idea how it was used - or abused.

I just purchased a new 735 and took a look at the rollers before I used it and did notice some residue on the feed rollers. I also noted that the infeed roller had much more reside than did the outfeed roller. I can only assume that the unit had a board run through it before it was shipped, but who knows?

Having said that, keeping the rollers clean is a great maintenance idea, but you may want to check the infeed/outfeed support tables and make certain that they are in the same plane that the planer bed is. The fold-up support tables on my 735 were way out of alignment.

I use an 8 ft planer table that runs through my planer and the pre-set support tables were disrupting the alignment of this table. A quick readjustment solved the problem.

I would consider laying a flat board or better yet, a carpenter's level, across the bed and tables and make certain that both tables are in perfect alignment with the planer bed.

Lastly, I would run a flat, freshly jointed 8-inch x 2-foot board through your planer and check each corner with a caliper to to determine how accurate it is cutting.

Best of luck with getting your problems resolved.

Regards

~ Phillip Anthony

http://doggonegoodapps.com/

Cosmoline ? (post #169645, reply #3 of 7)

by roc in reply to PhillipB [original] on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:33

That was a great post Mr. Anthony.

You sure gave a whole lot of information in a small package.

I am just cruising here and learning.

I am wondering if that goop, at least on your new planer, may have been cosmoline?

Even kerosene takes that off. Paint thinner probably would be better. The OP may want to be careful with lacquer thinner that could attack the roller if left on very long at all and could even start to take the paint off the planer.

If Goo Gone it needs to be washed off with water.

roc

Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

Dewal;t planer feed problems (post #169645, reply #6 of 7)

by CaptinGreg in reply to PhillipB [original] on Mon, 01/23/2012 - 05:28

Thanks for all the advice. I had thought of using Acetone to clean the rollers, but was fearful of damaging the cover on the rollers. I will try the Scotch Brite trick first and Yes, Mr Anthony, I will cerainly chreck the performance as you suggest.

How time flies (post #169645, reply #4 of 7)

by roc in reply to CaptinGreg [original] on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:47

Here is a thread I remember from a while back that was pretty good.

http://forums.finewoodworking.com/fine-w...

roc

Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

Feed rollers (post #169645, reply #5 of 7)

by BruceS in reply to CaptinGreg [original] on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 14:38

I'm not real crazy about using any solvents on the "rubber rollers" I hate the thought of really messing them up with some sort of solvent. I just cleaned mine the other day by picking off the big "gubbers" with my fingernail. And them very lightly hit them with a fine maroon scotch brite pad to take off the "glaze" and very little pitch. They are now like new !

Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

Bruce S.

DeWalt Planer Feed problems (post #169645, reply #7 of 7)

by CaptinGreg in reply to CaptinGreg [original] on Wed, 01/25/2012 - 04:05

Used Scotch Brite on the rollers and they cleaned up nicely. Waxed the table. Now the machine feeds nicely. I also planed a 12" by 24" X 1 1/2" piece of maple and checked side to side, end to end and corner to corner with calipers. I found less than .005" total variation. I will work on improving this.

Thanks again for the advice.