Keeping my DW733 thicknesser running

[The Bear]

Hi
After thicknessing a fair bit of oak, the wood is now not feeding though properly and keeps stopping. I think first is to clean the rollers. What with?
Also as it has steel beds what should I lubricate them with? Will liberon lubricatingwax be OK?

Mark

 

[OLD]

Its usually the beds need lubricating and that is the correct stuff. If the rollers are serrated dig the residue out with something pointed.

 

[The Bear]

Thanks OLD, will do the beds.
The rollers are smooth rubber in feed and out feed. When touched they have a light layer od sawdust on them, so they are not as "sticky" as I think they should be. Remember a post about wiping them with some thing like meths/white spirit/lighter fluid, something like taht to clean them off, but can't remember what.

Also, can these rollers be turned by hand while cleaning them?

Mark

 

[jameslee30]

It would also help if you keep your bed waxed whilst feeding through. just a rub over with a candle every 20mins or so should have it running with no problems!

*note...please stop thicknesser before rubbing wax on..dont want accidents!

james

 

[Digit]

I used meths and fine wire wool on mine Mark.

Roy.

 

[brianhabby]

Second Roy's comment, meths & wire wool. I also made a board to extend the bed and keep it well waxed. I think the extra length givea a bit more stability to the piece being planned and helps reduce snipping.

regards

Brian

 

[Peter T]

On the DW733, if the wood stops feeding, it's because the knives need sharpening.

Cleaning rollers etc helps slightly, but the only real cure is to sharpen/replace the knives.

Good luck,

 

[The Bear]

Peter, I would be surprised if the knives need sharpening considering how much cutting they have done, and the finish I am still getting I have tried to understand why this would stop the wood feeding, but can't really fathom it out, prehaps you wouldn't mind explaining.

Also how often would you expect the knives to last between sharpening, bearing in mind I never take off more them 1/2 - 3/4mm at a time. They have been used exclusively on oak kiln dried oak

regards

Mark

 

[Peter T]

Peter, I would be surprised if the knives need sharpening considering how much cutting they have done, and the finish I am still getting I have tried to understand why this would stop the wood feeding, but can't really fathom it out, prehaps you wouldn't mind explaining.

Also how often would you expect the knives to last between sharpening, bearing in mind I never take off more them 1/2 - 3/4mm at a time. They have been used exclusively on oak kiln dried oak

regards

Mark

Hi Mark, I belive that the failure mechanism is that, because the knives are dull, the cutting force is higher. Since this cutting force is in the opposite direction to the feed, the rollers start slipping and, eventually, stop feeding altogether.

I bought my 733 some years ago to use on some American white oak cabinets I wanted to make. At the end of the project, the feed was starting to slip and it wasn't long before I was having to push the wood through by hand. The finish though was unchanged.

I tried all the recommended roller cleaning techniques and these made no difference. On changing the knives, the machine was restored to its former glory!

The second set of knives lasted for years, despite being used for more oak and a lot of maple. I had a similar problem on the SIP planer that I bought. As new the knives were not very good and it wasn't until I put new ones in that the machine worked properly.

Changing the knives on a 733 is relatively easy and should take about 30 minutes if you use the magnetic setting blocks provided. New knives are not expensive and you can get the old set sharpened while they are out.

I hope this helps,

 

[The Bear]

Thanks Peter, makes more sense now

Mark

 

[Peter T]

Thanks Peter, makes more sense now

Mark

No Problem.

The first time I encountered this, I struggled for a while pushing the wood through the thicknesser. Hardly ideal!!

After I changed the knives I was kicking myself for wasting so much time and effort on the old ones!!!

 

[The Bear]

Anyone know of a good place I can post these knives off to to get them sharpened?

Mark

 

[Peter T]

Axminster have new ones for £32.90 -

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-resharpenable-hss-planer-knives-for-dewalt-dw733-prod826379/

 

[Joints]

Although I wouldnt do this untill a good day before using the machine give the rollers a quick wie with a damp cloth as after a while the rubber sort of dries up and isn't as grippy