pt260 planer thicknesser setup

[sean_in_limeric]

Hello all, i am new to this forum so hello to everyone. I recently purchased one of these machines (made by record, where i come from) - and despite several evenings spent adjusting blades and infeed/outfeed tables i cannot get accurrate results when planing (havn't even tried thicknessing yet!) If anyone owns one of these machines, did you have any problem getting the infeed/outfeed tables parallel across the entire width of the blades? I can't seem to manage this - thanks for looking.

[beejay1]

So Sean if I may recap:

There is a young man with a planer
Has a problem that seems a real brainer
Hes wanting advice from some pros, who'll be nice
An expert or maybe a trainer?

His problem is that, the beds arent flat
All he knows has been tried to cure it
His outfeed is in and his infeed is out
And hes feeling a bit of a prat

Its clear he needs help, an encouraging hand
So between us lets think what to do
The solution must be here from one in command,
of same problems thats happened to you

So we'll all have a think and forumular chin wag
And advise you of what we suggest
Im sure that we'll get there in no time at all
Cause this Aussie forums the best


Sorry mate but just couldnt resisthttp://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/images/icons/icon10.gifhttp://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/images/icons/icon10.gif
Im sure that we will come up with the solution.
beejay1

http://community.webshots.com/user/eunos9

[ryanarcher]

Bravo BeeJ!

Sean, My planer (jointer!) has eccentric adjustments at the 4 support corners of each table. Can't say about yours though. I guess I'd suggest calling the manufacturer. Those adjustments should be dead on from the factory, but I'm sure they can put you on line with a technician.
-Ryan

[beejay1]

Sean I looked at the record but went for the dewalt and had similar problems. Its unlikely to be the blades as they are normally set true at the factory. My problem lay with the outfeed table which had to be fine set by twiddling with four little adjustment bolts. I eventually got it level by doing this and checking for parallel to the blades using a straightedge. It took me a couple of hours however.
If all fails, phone Record in Sheffield as I always find their tech guys very helpful. Even if you have to leave a message they always call you back.
beejay1

http://community.webshots.com/user/eunos9

[SammieQ]

Sean, greetings from "De Nort" (Northern Ireland in a Southern accent for all you non-etymological types). There are several reasons for non-parallelism in planer tables... one of which can be sussed by adding shims between the table and the 'rail' that it runs on in the main planer casting. I got this tip from an old FWW tip. Try cutting up Coke or beer (Guiness?) cans as a source of reasonably uniform thin metal.

Sam

[sean_in_limeric]

Thanks guys - especially for the sonnet! The closest i have got to getting everything parallel is by using shims - i will try the cutting of the can approach and see if this helps - but is seems to me that there is a design floor in the '260 because they didnt' allow for easy adjustment on both the infeed and outfeed table. I suppose you get what you pay for - this is the second Record machine i have bought and they are both less than i hoped for - or maybe i am just useless at setting them up (a distinct possibilty!)