Here is my problem,

Today I planed down 2 pieces of Oak ( each were 12" by 16" ) on my Delta 12" planer. The pieces were made of about 6 boards glued together and were 3/4" inch to start with. I wanted to clean them up and get a

smoother surface.  When I got the surface I was looking for, I shut

things off proceeded with some other work I had going.

When I returned, I could see that the boards had  different thicknesses across the 12" width.  One end was 1/8" thicker than the other and the center

was a bit thicker than that. Both of the boards I planed were identical

with the same errors. 

 

I have used this planer many times and have never had any problem with it at all. This is the first time I have planed anything over 6" wide.

 

Any ideas of what is going on?

check under your planer bed for debris build up also

My first guess is that you have some snipe at each end. If the thinness at each end is about 2-4 inches long, this is probably the problem. You can minimize snipping a couple of ways. assuming it is not snipping or attempts to reduce it improperly then it is mechanical malfunction. Check to make sure your planner head is not loose, Tighten all screws and nuts where required. Second check to make sure your blades are properly seated and locked in tight. Third, check the platten that the board rides on as it goes through the planner. Is it loose? Is there debris under it? is it misalligned?

One other thing to check is edge to edge thickness. Is it the same? If not again check alignment of head, blades and platten.

Thanks for everyone's ideas. I don't know about the head lock feature, but will check it out. Today I will disassemble the planer, clean, inspect, lube and change the blades. I'll let you know what I find. These small panels I was planing, were old and I did not glue them. I am wondering now if maybe they were moving slightly when I planed them.

I also should have mentioned that it is a bench planer, not one of the large ones and that I have had it a number of years, so it don't have all the features of a newer one. Maybe it is underpowered for a 12" Oak piece. Lots of possibilities.

Anyway you look at it, something is really wrong.

Ron, I have that same planer and I run 12" pieces through it all the time. I think I would look to see if something has gotten update the plate at the bottom or something has slipped to put it out of alignment. A 12" board is a good load for it, but taking small bites it should plane it out nice and smooth.

When I glue up cutting board panels they are 11 3/4" and I run them through after the first glue up just to get them all even.

Let us know if you find anything. I will give mine a look and see if I see anything that might help.

Problem solved.

I found the problem. One of the 2 blades had slipped about 1/16" on one side. I am sure now that it slipped when I was planing the large pieces. I remember that the first few cuts went easily, then it sounded like it was working harder and was skipping a bit. It all makes sense now. While I was there I did a complete clean and dry lube with dry Teflon spray wax. I also found the chain cover was not in place and this allowed wood to go up into the drive. I cleaned that all out and lubed with the grease that Delta recommended. I cleaned the rubber drive rollers with a soapy rag . My planer does not have an adjustment lock.

It does a great job now. Thanks for the help.

Ok, that accounts for 1/16th, how about the other 1/16th?

Check your outfeed/infeed table to make sure they're below the cutting table or at least even with it.

I planed both sides. 1/16 +1/16 = 1/8. So there you are. I may still salvage the piece, it depends on how much more effort I want to put in it. By the way, I got the wood from an old Oak desk that was going into some landfill. This little table is one of 3 projects I have made from it. None of the oak matched, so I selected pieces that did and glued up my own pieces. The table top was made of the pull out flat pieces that you use to put typewriters.

I'm sure you all understand how I feel about wood, I hate to see nice wood go to waste. I will use it, if all possible.