Do any of you sharpen your own planer/thicknesses blades? How?

[hlvd]

A few moo

A few moons ago I used a grinder to rest the bevel and then sharpened individually, I did end up with knives of sufficiently different weight that it caused vibration. Using the approach of working them as a pair I have not had the same issue. The one thing that can happen with the jig is that the end of the knives gets more removed than the middle and you end up with a convex edge, if you are aware of this you can avoid it by hand position/pressure and regular checking that the edges are staying straight.

I was taught that the knives should be done as a matched pair to avoid vibration and imbalance.

I’ve never attempted to do them myself as I don’t believe it’s safe, and if HSE were called I’d be in big trouble if an accident were caused because of this.

All you need is two pairs of knives, one on the machine and one at the sharpeners.
It costs around £12 to do a 260mm set, which isn’t much.

With modern PT you can’t even sharpen the blades yourself as they’re disposable.

 

[Spectric]

I use disposable blades in my Record PT107 which are cheaper than the original blades and very easy to change since fitingthe Esta Bruck holders.

 

[Fitzroy]

I was taught that the knives should be done as a matched pair to avoid vibration and imbalance.

I’ve never attempted to do them myself as I don’t believe it’s safe, and if HSE were called I’d be in big trouble if an accident were caused because of this.

All you need is two pairs of knives, one on the machine and one at the sharpeners.
It costs around £12 to do a 260mm set, which isn’t much.

With modern PT you can’t even sharpen the blades yourself as they’re disposable.

Fair enough. I'm just a hobby woodworker so thankfully don't have to interact with the HSE, I do in my day to day profession as an engineer in a high hazard industry so can appreciate where you are coming from. No one should go home from work in a worse state than they arrived.

I also really enjoy making things sharp and the finish they give. A set of knives sharpened to 2000 grit then honed to a mirror finish make the most delightfull shavings, and then you knick them on a knot, ..................

F.

 

[hlvd]

Fair enough. I'm just a hobby woodworker so thankfully don't have to interact with the HSE, I do in my day to day profession as an engineer in a high hazard industry so can appreciate where you are coming from. No one should go home from work in a worse state than they arrived.

I also really enjoy making things sharp and the finish they give. A set of knives sharpened to 2000 grit then honed to a mirror finish make the most delightfull shavings, and then you knick them on a knot, ..................

F.

I disagree that the HSE regulations are a bad thing.
I adhere to those rules without having to compromise on anything. Basically it’s just like having to adhere to the Highway Code when driving a car, it’s second nature.

Do you need to sharpen planer knives to 2000 grit?

 

[Sandyn]

I just checked a set of blades I have ground quite a bit to remove nicks on the edge, there was 3g difference between the blades. I also checked a new set of Wadkin blades. There was 1g difference.
I don't think 3g will make much difference, considering the force of impact as the blade strikes/cuts the wood. It's a 230Kg planer, so it will take a lot to make that bounce. I think it is still a good idea to have the blades balanced, so I might do a bit of grinding on one.
I don't have to worry about HSE and I don't have to worry about the highway code while driving on private land. I let my 4 year old sit on my lap and drive the car and without a seatbelt In the workplace, it's a different matter, but these days are gone for me.

 

[Fitzroy]

I disagree that the HSE regulations are a bad thing.
I adhere to those rules without having to compromise on anything. Basically it’s just like having to adhere to the Highway Code when driving a car, it’s second nature.

Do you need to sharpen planer knives to 2000 grit?

I was unclear. I support the HSE regulations and the improvement of safety in the workplace that has resulted from them.