How do I know when my planer blades are dull

[cyclopentadiene]

I have planed about 700-800 bf of lumber using my Dewalt 13 inch planer using the current blades. During my last time using the planer, the reset switch clicked out three different times. I was using cherry which is soft and only removing 1/64 (1/8 turn) at a time so i do not think it was taking off too much material. The surface still looks good on lumber so I am not sure if the blades are getting too dull or not. How do I know when it is time?

 

[FredP]

I have planed about 700-800 bf of lumber using my Dewalt 13 inch planer using the current blades. During my last time using the planer, the reset switch clicked out three different times. I was using cherry which is soft and only removing 1/64 (1/8 turn) at a time so i do not think it was taking off too much material. The surface still looks good on lumber so I am not sure if the blades are getting too dull or not. How do I know when it is time?

look at the shavings. are they nice clean shavings or are they dust? dust indicates they need sharpening. feel the knives. new ones feel sharp [old ones do too until you compare them to the new ones] old ones not so much. if in doubt change em. you will see and hear the difference. after that amount of lumber i have to assume they are dull.....

 

[Mike Davis]

I change my blades when the wood loses that silky smooth open texture. I have seen people go until the wood is glazed and has lines raised on the surface.

But your problem sounds like maybe something else is happening. Are you using a longer cord than usual or is there something else on the same circuit drawing current?

 

[Joe Scharle]

Symptoms include:

Slow / jerky feed
Glazed or burnished finish
Heated wood smell
Popping reset breaker

 

[cyclopentadiene]

Rotated by blades today. I did not realize how slow surfacing had become. The task was somewhat enjoyable with the sharp side of the blades.

Thank you for all of the hints. I guess it will be obvious next time. I had noticed the burning (on cherry) jerking etc.

 

[Mike Davis]

Ahh, motor reset! I thought you meant panel circuit breaker.

 

[CDPeters]

My key indicator is noise - when it starts to get noticeably louder, time to change 'em. My grandfather called the increased noise "hammering".

C.

 

[charlie jones]

I change mine after each major job,weather they need it or not. It's a lot better on the machine and the wood.