Setting the Thickness

Figure 21-3. Always make thickness adjustments from a greater to a lesser thickness, turning the thickness adjustment crank clockwise and raising the table.

Turn the thickness adjustment crank counterclockwise to lower the table and accommodate thicker stock. Turn the crank clockwise to raise the table and decrease the final thickness of the planed lumber (Figure 21-3).

Always make this adjustment from a greater to a lesser thickness. For instance, if you want to plane a board 3/4" thick, first lower the table so that it goes down past the 3/4" mark on the thickness scale at least one full turn of the crank. Then raise the table up to the mark. This maneuver takes up any slack in the thickness adjusting mechanism. If you don't set the thickness from greater to lesser, there's a chance the planer table may "drift" down slightly during the pass and you'll get a tapered board.

By adjusting the thickness, you also adjust the depth of cut-how much stock the planer removes from a board in a single pass. To remove 1/16" of stock from a 3/4" board, turn the thickness adjustment mechanism clockwise one full revolution. Warning: Never turn the thickness adjustment mechanism while you are planing stock.

Continue to Thickness Planer Speeds & Feed Rates
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