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Lightweightladylefty

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Planer cutterhead bearing replacement #3: UPDATE: IT’S ALL FIXED!! HOORAY!

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This is part 3 in a 3 part series: Planer cutterhead bearing replacement

Most important: Thank you to the helpful woodworkers who were kind enough to guide me on this endeavor. You are the ones who gave me the courage to attempt this.

I received the order of the bearings last Monday afternoon and proceeded to get them installed without any major problems. I made several jigs to hold things in place while I pressed and pounded the bearings onto the shaft.

Here are the bearing pads I first used.

I made them to fit on either side and hold the shaft at the exact center of the opening.

It was a good idea, but not perfect. I was not able to get the drive side to stay centered front-to-back, but by tightening each clamp equally, I was able to seat the opposite end. Next I turned the cutterhead on end with the pad under the side that was seated and held the other end centered while using the old bearing to tap the new bearing into position.

I again placed the pads on either end and tightened the clamps as much as possible. By then each bearing was on about 1/3 of the way.
With the drive end setting on the bearing pad, I tapped the other bearing into place using an oak donut with my deadblow hammer.

Once that bearing was in place . . .

I flipped the cutterhead the opposite direction and finished installing the second bearing with my “custom-built” pad. (The oak split when I inserted the PVC so I just electrical-taped it back together).

I had attached my camera to a headlamp and wore it while I had taken the planer apart so I would remember how to put it back together. (Once I release the video clips, I expect the box office returns to put Star Wars to shame!)

I’m trying not to be too prideful since we know that “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18, but I must admit it did feel good to get the planer working again for less than $12. . . and all the priceless assistance from YOU! Thanks again!

“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Benjamin Franklin

planer cutterhead bearings repair replace

8 Comments

Jeff B commented almost 9 years ago

Hooray! Glad to hear you are up and running again. I’m also glad to hear you were able to get parts for a planer that isn’t made any more. I bought my Steel City planer about 6 months before they went under. I had been wondering how replacement parts were going to work out.

Lightweightladylefty commented almost 9 years ago

Jeff,

Years ago when needing to replace bushings, I was able to determine that it was similar to a Delta planer and the bushings were interchangeable. That doesn’t seem to be true with all the parts though. I was able to replace the bearings because the number is shown on the bearings and they’re pretty standard. (They weren’t the same as the Delta planer that we thought was similar. Also, it’s much cheaper to buy standard parts from some place other than the original company. Those two bearings from Delta would have cost me over $50!) As you can see, one roller has a bad gash through it, but I can’t determine the exact replacement part so I will continue to use it as it is. I hope you never need replacement parts! May your planer live forever!

L/W
P.S. I looked up hurray and found it was an alternative to hurrah. I wondered why it was marked as misspelled; now I know. It probably should have been hooray! It’s probably just my archaic English.

“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Benjamin Franklin

Brian commented almost 9 years ago

Good job. I almost threw in the towel when I had problems with my planer, which didn’t require as extensive repairs as yours. Well done!

Losing fingers since 1969

Lightweightladylefty commented almost 9 years ago

Brian,

It’s only my frugality (cheapness) that kept me at it . . . and the help from numerous fellow woodworkers.

L/W

“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Benjamin Franklin

RobsCastle commented over 6 years ago

OK 2 years ago ..how time flys… so how is it purring?

Did you finish your Bearing University degree? tee hee!

Regards Rob

Lightweightladylefty commented over 6 years ago

Rob,

The planer is working just like new! I haven’t used it as much in the past year as I usually do, but I’m glad I was able to fix it. It is so much better than the newer one that we have.

I only completed Bearing Basics 101 so they wouldn’t bestow a degree on me. I’m hopeful that eventually they’ll see the error of their ways and give me an honorary doctorate!

The help I received on fixing my planer is why I like this site so much. Everyone is so generous with good advice.

L/W

“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Benjamin Franklin

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