Samco FS 300 combo planer / thicknesser

Hello all.

I am hoping that some kind person might have some information for the set up of a Samco FS 300 planer / thicknesser. I purchased this machine for use in my shed but unfortunately there seems to be a problem with the set up as the infeed and out feed rollers seem to be too tight on the timber. I would like to get the cutting diameter for the cutter head so I can start setting this machine up. It is an excellent machine quality wise and just needs setting up correctly.

Many thanks in anticipation for some welcome help.

Cheers

Dwano,I had a similar problem with my machine which worked out to be that my blades were too low.It left marks on the timber from the drive rollers and sometimes jammed.
I was using a set up gauge that referanced the blade hight off the outfeed table, this type of gauge is for use on a planer not a como. machine. Therefore if your outfeed table is too low so will your blades and then too low to cut correct in the thicknesser mode.ie.not below the drive rollers.You must set the blades to the cutter head.
Your manual should tell you how high the blades should be above the cutter holder,you can get a set up gauge that does this very well and once set correctly can be used time and again without resetting the gauge.
After setting your blades then check the position of the outfeed table hight to the blades (make sure that the blades are at top centre, their highest point) The table should be at the same hight as the blades.
When you check this I would guess that it is lower.
Set the outfeed table to the blade high, the infeed about 1mm lower,don't try to remove too much timber in one pass and you will have sucess.
Cheers
There are several machine,many brands,but the same, if you would post a pic I may be able to see if I have a manual.

I agree that the first place to check is the blade height being level with the out feed table. One thing about this type of machine there is no real technical details because they are a basic machine. When you have checked the blade height and you still have problems the rollers should have an adjustment to re- leave the downward pressure (if you think it needs it). The rollers will have a coil spring exerting the downward pressure, by unwinding the cap above the spring less pressure will be exerted. Just make sure there is even pressure on both ends of the rollers.

Just another thought, the rollers could even be stuck and not responding to the timber being fed in and not jumping up as the timber is fed in. (Is that clear??) Its much easier to use hand signals.

Thanks for your input. I am not able to put up a pic just yet but I will do this. The problem is I do not have a manual for this machine so everything is trial and error. The blades are at the outfeed table height but the timber will not feed through as it seems to be too tight on the roller.

I will check to see if the rollers are stuck and not jumping up. I have a blade setting gauge which I bought from Carbatec. They set from the head and not from the table.

I will try these things you have suggested and report back. It may be after the weekend, but thanks very much so far for your help.

Cheers

Dwano,check out the drive rollers as suggested.
That is the correct gauge to use for our machine,I had a look around and I think you have the same as mine but another brand,I set the blades at .7 mm above the holder cylinder and all is well.( this is what my manual says)
When you set up using the Carbatec gauge you will find that they suggest making them 1-1.5 mm above,that is too much.
Mark your gauge left and right and your blade holder L +R and them use them each time the same,I when I bought mine the guy in the store told me how to set up,THIS MADE IT HARDER THAN WHAT THE INSTRUCTIONS SAY !
I may be telling you how to suck eggs but here goes.
Set the gauge so that the adjustable part in over the body of blade holder,screw down so they just touch,use a feeler gauge to get it to about 2 thousands of an inch,unwind the adjusters to .7 mm and lock in place.(you could use feeler gauges to do this as I didn't trust the scales on the gauge)
DO NOT MOVE THESE SETTINGS AGAIN,they will stay for ever unless you want to rise higher,then lock and leave.
This is a one only setting.
Move your gauges to the ends of the blade holder with the blades in place,they will be held there by the magnets on the gauge,make sure that all parts of the gauge are in contact with the three contact points ie. the two that hold down to the blade holder and the blade,now lock up the centre blade holding screws,the end ones will be covered by the gauge,lock them up after you have taken off the gauges.
Good luck If you can't follow I am happy the speak to you live,just leave a message
I assume that all parts are clean before you start.

Hi NRB

Sorry to jump in with a completely separate issue but I noticed that you mentioned that you have a manual for this machine. I am trying to source a part for my Samco FS300 and am struggling. Is there any chance you could PM me with an exploded picture of the machine so I can try and source the right bit?