Okay----So I could use a little help on this one… Did a search under the above title but came up with nothing concerning alignment. I just recently turned my Skil over to Pete C and he checked it out for me. He cleaned it up, replaced the trigger, installed a new cord and replaced the old blades with a set of Swiss/German blades that I had purchased new several years back. I pick it up this week . He was ridicously reasonable. The only thing he doesn’t do is align the blades. So I will have to find a shaper who can do this for me or attempt to do it myself via someone’s instructions. I remember being told how to do it many years ago, but my memory is a little vague on the subject and don’t want to screw up. If anyone here on Sways can help me I am all ears. Otherwise when I go down to SC to pick it up I’ll have to try and find someone to show me.
It is really very simple, but can be extremely intimidating the first time.
The blades have 3 lock, socket head screws that tap into the cutter head and an adjustment screw recessed into the head.
With the lock screws loosened, insert the blades and the adjustment screw might need to be removed, then replaced with the blade to get them into the blade slots.
Slightly tighten the lock screws enough to be able to still move the blades with a slight effort.
Using any machined straight edge, lay it along the rear bed of the planer, rotate the cutter head ( MACHINE UN-PLUGGED) until the apex of the blade tip is below the straight edge. Use the adjustment screw to raise or lower the blade, it is offset to one side, so the blade does not move evenly on both sides of the cutter head. When the blade is just barely touching the straight edge, slightly torque the lock screw on that side, only enough to keep it in place.
Go to the opposite side and adjust that lock screw, the first side may have moved, so go back to it and re-check.
I will take several attempts to get the blades even, but you will figure it out. With the blades set correctly and the lock screws secured, lower the adjustment screw down to the lowest postion to keep the blades from rising outwards in the cutter head, it will happen and will cause extreme damage to your planer, the blades will snag on the lip of the bed or front shoe and kill your planer. Make sure the blades are facing the right direction to rotation.
Know your tool and keep it sharp
Jim thanks for the reply and Info. I picked it up in San Clemente thurs. and drove from there to SD where Bill Thrailkill met me in a Denny’s parking lot. He pulled out his stuff, laid out a towel on the trunk of my old Volvo and proceed to give me visual instruction on alignment. I could envision the process, but to see it actually done was great. So thanks to you and Bill for replying and taking the time to share your knowledge. Special thanks to Pete C who did the bearings, cord, trigger and general clean up of my Skil. I highly reccomend him. He’s got it down and can access just about any part. My skil was used by a carpenter for years before I traded a surfboard for it in '98. It was full of sawdust and rusty on the interior. I had’t done anything do it over the last few years except replace the belt. I admit I was a little intimidated about taking it apart. I used my Hitachi quite a bit over the last few years to give the Skil a rest. But with those German/Swiss blades it will cut foam like a hot knife cuts butter. Planning on using it next week in a borrowed shaping bay. Can’t wait! Lowel