What is a backlash?

Backlash is a term that refers to the amount of free play in the iron's depth adjustment mechanism and the problems it can cause.
Problem
	When using a planer, the free play sometimes allows the blade to move up on its own after it has been adjusted to the desired position. This occurs after the blade has been adjusted up or retracted slightly with the knurled adjuster.
	What types of regulators are affected? There are two main types of iron depth adjustment mechanism on wood planers.
	One of them is a mechanism designed by Leonard Bailey in the USA and then used by the major manufacturer Stanley. The other is the Norris regulator, developed in the UK (see photo). What is a Norris style adjuster?).
	Aircraft with any type of governor can suffer from backlash.
decision
	Remove free lift up The solution is to always make the final depth adjustment by pushing the blade forward (turning the wheel adjuster clockwise as shown) rather than retracting it. This eliminates the free play that can cause backlash in the mechanism and ensures that the iron stays at the correct depth. When reducing the blade protrusion to produce thinner chips, retract it a little more than necessary, then retract it a little to complete the adjustment.
	Sometimes it may take a few turns of the wheel adjuster to eliminate free play in the mechanism.

Posted

February 20 2023

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