Powermatic PM15 - Manual (Page 27)

27
Troubleshooting: Operating Problems
Trouble Probable Cause Remedy
Snipe
(Note: Snipe can not be
eliminated, but can be
so minimized as to
become negligible.)
Dull knives Sharpen or replace knives.
Inadequate support of long boards. Use extensions to support boards.
Uneven feed roller pressure front to
back.
Adjust feed roller tension.
Corner screws loose. Tighten corner screws.
Lumber not butted properly.
Butt end to end each piece of stock
as they pass through the planer.
Fuzzy grain
Planing wood with high moisture
content. Remove moisture by drying, or use
different stock.
Dull knives. Sharpen or replace knives.
Torn grain
Too heavy a cut. Adjust proper depth of cut.
Knives cutting against grain. Cut with grain whenever possible.
Dull knives. Sharpen or replace knives.
Rough/Raised grain
Dull knives. Sharpen or replace knives.
Too heavy a cut. Adjust proper depth of cut.
Moisture content too high.
Remove moisture from wood or use
different stock.
Rounded, glossy
surface
Dull knives. Sharpen or replace knives.
Wavy molding pattern
Improper guide set-up. Review proper guide set-up
Horizontal play of planer bed. Remove play in planer bed.
Tear-out at end of
molding
Improper guide set-up. Review proper guide set-up.
Inadequate outfeed pressure. Adjust feed roller tension.
Poor feeding of
lumber
Inadquate feed roller pressure.
Adjust feed roller tension. If proper
tension cannot be achieved, replace
feed rollers.
Planer bed rough or dirty.
Clean pitch and residue, and was
planer bed.
Transmission v-belt slipping. Tighten transmission v-belt.
Surface of feed rollers too smooth.
Lightly roughen the feed roller surface
with sandpaper.