Thread: Shelix cutter for a De Walt

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Have you tried this bloke in Brisbane...

R.D.G. International Agencies
T/a Woodcraft Supplies
PO Box 12
Howard QLD 4659
Phone: (07) 4129 4644
Phone/Fax: (07) 4129 0367
Mobile: 0418 184 048
Email: [email protected]


The R & the G stand for Robert Gregory.

Originally Posted by crowie

Have you tried this bloke in Brisbane...

R.D.G. International Agencies
T/a Woodcraft Supplies
PO Box 12
Howard QLD 4659
Phone: (07) 4129 4644
Phone/Fax: (07) 4129 0367
Mobile: 0418 184 048
Email: [email protected]


The R & the G stand for Robert Gregory.

He's the Aus rep. We got our heads for the work machines through him - nice guy too

Yep, I ordered one, should be here for the weekend, only $25 post. Competitive price when taking in the cost from the US.

SB

Well I just finished installing the cutter and will do a review when I've given it a go.

SB

Originally Posted by Superbunny

Well I just finished installing the cutter and will do a review when I've given it a go.

SB

Well done "SB",
How easy or otherwise was the process of installing the cutter head, please.
Any extra tips or insights you might offer for others considering the upgrade, thank you.
Looking forward to the "review" when you've given it a good run with the new cutter head..
Cheers, crowie

I had time to give it a go today and here is my beliefs of a hobby woodworker. It is easy to install but there are some points to keep in mind. First, go to the instruction web page as it has it all there except: 1. I would remove the tensioner by unscrewing the single screw holding it on. This gets it out of the way of the drive belt and anything else. 2. The instructions refer to a key when you take off the cutter head pully. They mean a little piece of metal that fits into the shaft in the slot that is cut in the pully to stop it from slipping on the shaft, don't lose it. 3. Get a good set of snap ring pliers to remove the snap ring that secures the main bearing in its housing. 4. The 3 screws to remove the gearbox on the opposite side require a larger allen key to the one supplied by De Walt so get the right size before you start. 5. To get the old cutter head out you have to use a bit of hard wood on the end that goes into the gearbox, do this with a good piece of hardwood as I split several bits when I hit them. Treat this process with some respect as you need the gearbox drive for the shelix head so you don't want to hit it with a metal hammer and damage it. 6. You will not require the the cutter rotate lock plate so don't try to put it on, it wont fit over the new cutter shaft. 7. Just before you put back the final side cover check the top belt pully to be sure it is fully on. You can check this by looking through the little peep hole grid and if it is not fully on just take the grid off and force it fully on with your finger and turing at the same time.


So what do I think about the Shelix cutter head, well you can see from the pictures a length of red cedar I thicknessed. Pics 1 and 2. You can see what they looked like before I thicknessed them pics 3 and 4. You can see the same timber thicknessed with the standard De Walt blades, pic 5 and 6. I also did a very large piece of red cedar, pics 7 and 8 and you can see the result, pics 9 and 10. the Shelix cutter did come well packed and protected.

Well the finish is better and no tearout and it's not so noisy in use. Is it worth the $650 including post upgrade and a couple of hours of your time? Well considering the 3 blade De Walt does a very nice job in the first place but you do get a little tearout at times and that as a hobby woodworker maybe it is worth it in the long run, but the standard blades in the De Walt do a very good job. Can you see my problem, I can't say yes or no. Did I get the inprovement every one is talking about? I had high expectations of this upgrade and I don't think it meets them, the truble is the 3 blade De Walt cutters are that good on my machine and for a small improvement in my view, it will take a lot more timber through it to convince me the cost is worth it, at $400 yes, at $ 650 you be the Judge.

SB

Thanks SB for the installation info plus your report...sorry the photos need to be bigger for this old bloke.
Just wondering how you think the following stacks up please???
1: The machine runs quieter when cutting the timber...
2: The finish is as good as a sanded finish so saving a process.....
3: The ability to just replace the individual worn or damaged cutter insert over dressing or resharpening the whole blade....
Again thank you, cheers, crowie

Originally Posted by crowie

Thanks SB for the installation info plus your report...sorry the photos need to be bigger for this old bloke.
Just wondering how you think the following stacks up please???
1: The machine runs quieter when cutting the timber...
2: The finish is as good as a sanded finish so saving a process.....
3: The ability to just replace the individual worn or damaged cutter insert over dressing or resharpening the whole blade....
Again thank you, cheers, crowie

Yes, it does run quieter and that is a big improvement.

I just finished doing some Silky Oak today and a very good finish. You would still need some sanding but it is well on its way to being finished. I did to my surprise, get some tear out and some very faint lines. I get a faint line through some of the Red Cedar I did the other day and I'm not sure what to think about that at this stage.

With the original DeWalt setup you don't sharpen the blades, they are double sided blades and easy to replace. You can get TC tipped blades from the USA for the DeWalt. As to replacing the Shelix cutters I guess I will not need to for a long time as I never put recycled timber through my machine so I don't expect to hit a nail. You get the tool and some replacement cutters with it.

Update, impressed with the overall finish with Silky Oak but I got a good finish with the DeWalt blades also, It still needs a little sanding but with the quieter running it' a pleasure to use.

SB

Next time you are up my way you can install mine.

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

Next time you are up my way you can install mine.

Damn Cliff you haven't done yours yet - it'll be growing things soon in Far North Queensland wet season....lol,
Cheers, crowie

Few other jobs in the way but it will happen, eventually.