Using the DeWalt planer (outdoor)

A certified user policy is now in place for the DeWalt thickness planer. This is a policy is similar to that on the drum sander. The planer was purchased for members who work with mesquite and other toxic woods as these are not allowed in the milling room at the shop.

The policy is being instituted as a last ditch effort by the Board of Directors to stop the ongoing damage to the planer caused by misuse and abuse. If the policy is ineffective, say if unauthorized users use the machine (or authorized users damage the machine), the Board will permanently remove the planer from service and you will have to take your work to a place like Woodworker’s Source or a sawmill for planing. 

The biggest problem with this machine is that the user is taking too big a bite.  The absolute maximum amount of material that can be removed in a pass is 1/32″ or 1/4 turn of the height wheel.  Use the height gauge to determine the depth of cut.

Things to watch for:

• RESTRICTED MATERIALS: absolutely no bark or painted materials; no plywood, melamine or engineered flooring/planks.  Same rules apply as those for the large planer in the planer room.
• Depth of cut: Always check the depth of cut gauge by inserting your work just under the cutter head.
• Boards with high spots – raise the cutter head so the board passes freely under the head. Gradually lower the head just until the board catches and no longer passes freely. Lower the cutter head by turning the wheel 1/4″ turn or less.  Check the depth gauge to ensure that you are taking 1/32″ or less.
• Another way of doing this is set the head a bit high and feed the stock past the blades. Gradually lower the cutting head until it makes light contact with the stock. Incermentally increase the depth of cut by lowering the cutting head a maximum of 1/4 turn of the wheel.
• If boards get stuck, raise the cutter head and repeat the step above.  NEVER reach under the cutting head.
• 12″ board length is minimum
• 1/32″ is the maximum depth of cut with mesquite, that’s 1/4 of a turn of the wheel. Not one full turn, not a half a turn.  One quarter of a turn.
• When you are at your finished thickness, leave the cutter head where it is and make a two or 3 more passes. You will be rewarded with a fine finish that often needs no sanding.
• Use infeed and outfeed rollers to support long boards. It is prohibited to feed a long board through the planer as it is impossible to keep a long board from tipping up or down. The stock WILL get stuck in the machine or cause damage to the machine. Your workpiece may also be ruined.
• DO NOT change the speed of the feed. It must remain at the “1” setting at all times. FYI, damage to the machine will occur if you try and change the speed of the feed while the planer is not running.

List of Authorized Users of the DeWalt Planer (as of April 16, 2024)

Lance Johnson
Brian Gaffney
Dave Pittenturf
Danny Hooper
Julie Ginader
Bruce France
Ron Schuster
John Hillborn
Pat Bergen
Ken Heraly
Marilyn French-St. George
Greg Hugie
Mick Johnson
Cecilia Anderson
Jerry Herning
Dave Bourque
Andreas Alers