axminster aw106pt

[head clansman]

Hi all


Yesterday i won on eBay on of these planers , picked it up yesterday and today unloaded it, it took four to carry it down to my workshop.

So today clean it up a wee bit and tried it out , and all's OK , as someone hear said it's very quite and planes really well .

However , i know it's early days yet I'm not sure about the ally fence on it bit strange , i know i can get a metal one from axminster if i decide to, someone hear said replace all nut with locking washer and nylon nuts i think that might be a good idea as when i was fiddle with the blade guard the nut did keep coming loose anyway with time I'll sort it all .

what i would like to know, tomorrow I'm going to oil up all the chains and cog wheels and was wondering what sort of tension should i expect to find on the chains & drive belt , any body know this :?: ,any hint or tip as servicing this machine would be welcomed .hc

 

[OPJ]

It's great that you are looking to lubricate this machine before putting it through its paces. I'm sure many of use don't bother until it's almost too late... As for the tension, I'm not sure what to suggest. If you have a manual, it may be mentioned somewhere towards the back. If not then, you could still download one from Axminster's site. You're probably looking for 10mm deflection and I can't imagine why it should be any different to when the machine was bought new, really.

Personally, I don't have a problem with the aluminium fence either. Only I did make soon after buying the machine was to over-tighten one of the Bristol levers.

 

[head clansman]

Hi olly

I did download a manual an i cant see any mention of what of sort of tension it should have on either the chains or the drive belt , hence why i asked the question , as we all know chain and drive belt will stretch with time , don't want to over tighten or in fact leave it too slack either way it may cause unnecessary wear , but not knowing what the tension is it'S difficult to say yes it all OK . hc

 

[OLD]

Tension is automatic and quite strong(bed needs wax) with a spring. check condition of chain i had one break due to a cog moving along a shaft so check firmness and alignment of drive train.

 

[head clansman]

HI old

OK thanks , I'll post again tomorrow to let you all know what I find. hc

 

[OLD]

http://www.stapeley1.plus.com/manual_aw106pt.pdf
This is a copy of the handbook.
My fence was not perfect so i fixed and shimmed up a piece of mdf to correct it as i only require 90 degrees.
Others have had problems with planer table and adjusting bolts check o/f is parallel with cutter block body then align i/f and o/f and check with straight edge always lock tables after adjustments.

 

[head clansman]

hi all

lets try again third time I've tried to post this reply get it all ready to post and blink it gone ahhhhhhh.

OK opened up the back cover this morning no tension left on the drive belts, bolt securing the motor loose so just the weight of the motor stretching the belts , to be replaced .

oiled all chains and pulley all with no wear visible except the rear chain does not seem to have any tension-er and does have a sag in it both at the top of cogs and the bottom don't know if this is the norm , but I'll replace that as well the other thing was the rubber ring on the main drive wheel are just showing a little whisper around the edge so I'll replace them as well , won't use it till i have them fitted then hopefully it will be fine for years to come. hc

 

[RogerS]

Slight hijack....what's the benefit of a cast-iron fence over the aluminium one? Must be better otherwise why would they introduce it?

 

[wizer]

Slight hijack....what's the benefit of a cast-iron fence over the aluminium one? Must be better otherwise why would they introduce it?

People believe CI is the most flattest material known to man and therefore is an indicator of quality. Which is about half true. Ali's got a bad name because it is easy to bend it. But made right, it can be very flat\true.

 

[DeepBlue]

Slight hijack....what's the benefit of a cast-iron fence over the aluminium one? Must be better otherwise why would they introduce it?

I have the original with the ali fence, and it is a bit micky mouse. I had a look at the new cast iron one at axminster on Saturday and it does look like a big improvement.

 

[head clansman]

hi deepblue

I have considered getting the cast iron fence , did you by chance happen to notice is it still the same fittings at the back of the fence or have they upgraded all that as well . in fact any one who has upgraded some pics would be nice .hc

 

[wizer]

Martin. Before you look at the CI fence, think about either fettling the Ali fence to work for you. Or better still making one of your own. You can keep the ali fence if you ever want to make angled cuts (probably never). By making your own you may even be able to make it so it remains on the unit when in thicknessing mode. This is one of those thing I have on my tuit list.

 

[head clansman]

hi tom

neat idea , have to get our heads togeather on that one.hc

 

[DeepBlue]

did you by chance happen to notice is it still the same fittings at the back of the fence or have they upgraded all that as well

IIRC, it has the same sliding dovetail arrangement as mine, but I could be mistaken.

It's also worth pointing out that I've been happily using my ali fence for two years now without a problem, and I guess the lightness of the fence makes it less of a PITA to take it off. Saying that, I'm too mean to pay £90 for a new fence, but supposing Axi decided to give their existing customers a free upgrade I'd take their hand off!

Cheers
-Tom

 

[head clansman]

hi all

ordered a few parts for the aw106pt a few days ago , now i get a phone message to day from axminster no drive belts till end of august , any body know of a good supplier i can them from for the 106 :?: . hc

 

[OPJ]

I guess you could try Fox (Rutlands, Hamiltion Group) and Charnwood; they both stock identical machines.