Planer/Thicknesser Upgrade
I have a Metabo planer/thicknesser probably around 10years old.
The machine has done a fair bit of work over the years so I decided to give it an overhaul.
Plan was for new bearings and drive belts and drive chain.
E-Mails to Metabo seeking parts supply prior to dismantling remain unanswered so I have fitted bearings from CBC.
The drive belts have been refitted as replacements in Bundaberg can not be sourced, the small size belt is rare I am told.
Anyhow the belts are still in reasonable condition giving me time to source supply elsewhere.
The drive chain is like new so a clean up and lube and it is refitted.
The big change, and one that I can highly recommend is changing the cutter head from the original 2 blade design to segmented spiral type by Helix.
Not an inexpensive choice but a lot cheaper than a new machine.
Today I selected a few Qld Blackwood boards that were badly cupped and rough sawn.
The boards were around 250mm wide.
Planing the cupped side took no effort at all from me or the machine, previously I needed to push with a little effort.
The finish is remarkably smooth, gunna save $$ on sandpaper.
Only downside is that the cutter head is a tiny bit larger in diameter which means that at zero setting on the machine I get a cut of around 0.5 mm.
I can live with that if I have to given the other advantages.
Hope that this info may assist anyone considering upgrading their planer/jointer etc.
Regards
Bob
