RIKON Power Tools 23-400H - Manual (Page 11)

OPERATION
11
PLANER OPERATION
Before turning on the planer, review the safety precau-
tions listed on pages 3 to 6, and the operating instruc-
tions on pages 6 and 10. Make sure that you fully under-
stand the features, adjustments and capabilities of the
machine that are outlined throughout this manual.
1. To feed the workpiece into the machine, assume
proper operating position, FIG. 8. Stand offset to one
side of the feed opening to avoid any kick-back, should it
occur. Do not push the lumber once the infeed roller has
been engaged. Let the infeed roller move the workpiece
into the planer at its own pace.
2. To remove the workpiece from the machine, position
yourself offset to one side of the outfeed opening. FIG. 9.
Do not pull the lumber as it exits the machine. Let the
out-feed roller move the workpiece out of the planer at its
own rate, but support the lumber as it extends past the
extension rollers, if needed.
- Do not plane boards that are less than 6" long. Short
boards should be planed end to end with other boards to
prevent kick-back and snipe.
- Boards longer than 24" should have additional support
as they enter and exit the planer, so that they do not tip
up or down, causing snipe on the ends.
- Run boards through the planer at different positions
along the width of the bed to utilize the full length of the
cutting knives. Planing only in the center, or through one
side of the planer, will quickly dull the knives in that area.
FIG. 9
SNIPE
The term 'snipe' refers to the depression that may occur
at the front or rear of a board during planing. It is caused
by uneven pressure on the cutterhead when a board is
fed into the planer, or when exiting. FIG. 10.
Avoid snipe by keeping your lumber firmly down onto the
planer bed at the beginning of the cut, and also at the
end of the cutting action, as the lumber exits the planer.
FIG. 10
FEED
ROLLER
ON/OFF SWITCHES
The planer is equipped with a standard, push button ON/
OFF safety switch (#204) located on the right side of the
machine. FIG. 11. Push the top green button to start the
planer. Push the lower red button to stop the planer.
An additional automatic OFF safety micro-switch (#206)
is located under the cover (FIG. 12, A). Should the cover
ever be opened, this switch will prevent the machine from
operating. NOTE: When working on the planer, the
machine should always have the red, OFF button
engaged and the cord unplugged from the power source.
FIG. 11
FIG. 12
PLANER BED
FIG. 8
A