Powermatic Planer Training

1. Overview

  • Purpose: The Powermatic Planer is used to remove material and create a flat, parallel surface on wood. Once the height adjustment is made, the machine does the work. Note that it will not straighten warped material.

2. Safety Guidelines

  • Eye Protection: Required for all users.

  • Blade Speed: Allow the blade to reach full speed before feeding material through.

  • Pre-Check: Ensure there are no nails, staples, screws, or other foreign objects in the material to be planed.

  • Self-Feeding Mechanism:

    • Set the height so the infeed roller pulls the material into the cutting blade.

    • Do not lower the blade more than 1/4 turn at a time to avoid damaging the cutting roller or the material.

  • Hand Safety:

    • Never hold the material with your hand underneath, even if it extends beyond the table surface.

    • Keep hands and clothing clear of the cutting area.

  • Kickback Prevention:

    • When feeding shorter pieces, use another piece of material to push it into the planer.

    • Do not feed material shorter than 12 inches into the planer.

  • Material Jam:

    • If the material fails to feed completely, turn off the machine, lower the feed table, and push the material through using another piece of wood. Never place your hands into the planer.

  • Reporting Issues:

    • If the Planer is not functioning properly, report it to the Monitor on Duty, unplug the device, and place an 'Out of Order' sign on it.

    • Notify the Maintenance Team; the Planer will be unavailable until it is certified for use.

3. Adjustments

  • No User Adjustments: The Planer’s settings should not be altered.

  • Reporting: Any adjustment or maintenance issues must be reported immediately to the Monitor on Duty and the Maintenance Team.

4. Common Mistakes

  • Inappropriate Material Size: Avoid planing wood that is too small, thin, or short.

  • Kickbacks: Often caused by improper control of the material.

  • Failure to Use Push Sticks: Essential for safety and control.

5. Limitations

  • Blade and Material Size:

    • The cutting blade is approximately 20 inches wide.

    • The maximum height for planing material is 8 inches, though it is not recommended for materials over 6 inches.

    • Ensure material is at least 12 inches in length to prevent damage to the planer.

  • Cutting Depth: A cutting depth >1/32 inch is not recommended. For deeper cuts, make multiple passes.

6. Usage Instructions

  • Pre-Check: Inspect the material to ensure there are no foreign objects that could damage the Planer blades.

  • Unlocking: Contact the Monitor to remove the lock.

  • Vacuum System:

    • Ensure the Central Vacuum System is on.

    • Open the Central Vacuum gate.

  • Surface Preparation:

    • If one side of the material is not flat, use the Jointer before planing.

    • Do not feed warped material through the Planer, as the pressure from the blades will not permanently straighten it.

  • Height Adjustment:

    • Raise or lower the the feed table so that the material can be fed into the feeder roller.

    • Improper height adjustment can damage the blades and material.

    • After a cut, if additional passes are needed, pass the material through several times without raising the table. If further adjustments are necessary, raise the table by no more than 1/4 turn at a time.

  • Repetition: Repeat the process until you achieve a satisfactory result.

  • Shutting Down:

    • Turn the Planer off.

    • Close the Vacuum gate.

    • Clean all areas around the Planer, including the feed table and floor.

    • Replace the lock