24
Performance Troubleshooting – Planer
Trouble Probable Cause Remedy
Snipe
Note: Snipe can be
minimized but not
eliminated
Inadequate support of long boards. Support long boards with extension
rollers.
Dull knives. Sharpen knives.
Lumber not butted properly. Butt end to end each piece of stock
as they pass through.
Fuzz
y
Grain
Planing wood with high moisture
content.
Remove high moisture content from
wood by drying.
Dull knives. Sharpen or replace.
Torn Grain
Too heavy a cut. Adjust proper depth of cut
Knives cutting against grain. Cut along the grain.
Dull knives. Sharpen knives.
Rou
g
h/Raised Grain
Dull knives. Sharpen knives.
Too heavy a cut. Adjust proper depth.
Moisture content too high. Remove high moisture content from
wood by drying.
Rounded,
g
loss
y
surface
Dull knives. Sharpen or replace knives.
Feed speed too slow. Increase speed.
Cutting depth too shallow. Increase depth.
Planer bed rough or dirty. Clean pitch and residue, and wax
planer table.
Surface of feed rollers clogged. Clear residue chips off of rollers.
Uneven depth of cut
side to side.
Knife incorrectly set. Adjust knives.
Board thickness does
not match depth of
cut scale.
Depth of cut scale incorrect.
A
d
j
ust depth of cut scale.
“Chatter” marks on
workpiece.
Knives incorrectly set.
Set knives properly as described in
the Cutterhead Knife Adjustment on
page 15. Check that knife slots are
clean and free of dust or debris.
Cutting too deeply. Make shallower cuts.