Possible problems when using the aircraft and how to solve them
Common problems with using a hand planer can result in unwanted marks on the surface of the wood, such as tears, or the planer suddenly stops cutting. These problems can usually be solved with some readjustment or sharpening of the iron, as described below. Some of these can be solved by using an electronic wood router instead. Wood router bits are used on router tables and create a smooth wood surface.
Chatter
- Chatter is when your planer stutters and skips a cut, often leaving a grooved surface in the wood.
- Make a lighter cut (pull the iron back slightly) or apply more pressure on the handle as you begin to cut.
- Another possibility is that you have a dull iron - see below. How to level and sharpen a planer iron for a walkthrough.
- Also make sure that the iron and chipbreaker are screwed tightly together and that the lever cover is applying enough pressure on the chipbreaker to hold the iron firmly in place.
- Vibration can also be caused by the iron not sitting flat against the cross or the cross itself not sitting flat. Remove and check for debris on the bed or seats.
Tear out
- This is a common problem - instead of neatly shaving off the wood, the iron pulls out the wood fibers, leaving a rough surface.
- A lighter incision and reduced mouth opening can solve the problem. If the texture is difficult, changing the planing direction can sometimes help.
- Sharpening iron may be part or even all of the answer.
- You can also try using a higher iron pitch planer if available. The greater the angle of the blade, the less likely it is to pull out the wood.
Airplane stops cutting
- Sometimes the planer stops cutting or makes the chips thinner or less consistent after several successful passes. The problem may be clogging the mouth with chips, or play.
- Plugging occurs when the inlet is too small, or the bottom edge of the chipbreaker, if present, does not fit perfectly on the iron. Widen the entry hole or flatten the edge of the chipbreaker - see How to set up a planer for metal for complete information.
- Backlash is the upward movement of the blade due to free play in the depth adjustment mechanism. See What is a backlash?for a more detailed description and solution of the problem.
