Restoring my little planer

[Gilman]

Well, after a couple of months of trying to arrange to pick up the 6" x 15" planer I finally made it.
I bought it from Frank Pender who's about 1 1/2 hours away from me.  Frank tricked my into buying it from him by asking, "do you want to buy it?" That tricky little phrase gets me every time.

The delay in picking up the planer came from the lack of hualing capacity of my trailer.  I was going to pick up the planer with my friend's grandfather with his truck and trailer.  But unfortunately his health hasn't been too good lately and we had to keep delaying the trip.  I was looking forward to a trip with him, I've never met the man, but by what I hear he has plenty of character. He got arrested when he was 80 for punching out a hippy.

To improve my odds of making it back to Washington, I changed the trailer tires over from passenger tires to the biggest tires that would fit under my fenders.  I got the new rims and tires and was off.

Once I got to Frank's he asked if I was going to hual the planer with, "that."  "yep," I reply.  Frank's eyes widen and says, "Oh David."

Somehow over the few months it took to pick up the mill, my mind trimmed about 4,000 lbs off the planer.  I was even shaking my head and wondering what I'd gotten myself into.

Here's the planer after it was loaded.  We only broke one old chain trying to lift it up.  Frank had a self loader hauling for him that we used to lift the mill.  Once lifted, I backed the trailer under it and the operator gently lowered it down.  Down Down Down the trailer frame went until it stopped due to the fenders resting on top of the tires.

First step, trick out the trailer.


Second step, More air please.  Frank was kind enough to put some more air in my tires.


Made it home.  Kathy shows me how to use the planer.




This trailer mod is patented by Frank, He had the good idea of only cutting one side of the fender.  I think the air ram design might of even helped!



The next time I buy something from Frank and he tells me it weighs about 10,000 lbs, I'm going to believe him.

Still haven't figured out how to unload it yet.

[Jeff]

Are you sure you didnt load the bull dozer by mistake?

[Gilman]

  , If I mounted tracks on it I guess I could just drive it off.

Jeff,
I called Kathy's father about a spring boad for Pender to trade with you.  He's an old horse logger.  He didn't have one but said he'd look around for one. I want to see that charged wedge on my next visit to Frank's.

[etat]

I agree that sure looks like a lot of iron for just a 'little' planer.

  Be sure to let us know how you manage to get it off your trailer and parked in your shop.

[Fla._Deadheader]

 Just back it into the shop, and stick a fork in the tires 

[pappy]

Good steel rollers and some railroad ties and lots of hardwood blocking a few good hyd jacks 

or about 12 guys the size of Unclebuck   

[Doc]

Good steel rollers and some railroad ties and lots of hardwood blocking a few good hyd jacks 

or about 12 guys the size of Unclebuck   

Pappy, at 10k you may want to change that or 12 guys the size of Uncle Buck to AND 12 guys the size of Uncle Buck.


That puppy is BIG! WOW!

Doc

[pappy]

Doc,
I stand corrected   

[Rockn H]

Alright Gilman, just what does that planer do?  What kind is it?  Do you have to saw the tree into boards first or can you just put it in whole?

[Norm]

I know you folks have big trees out that way but HOLY COW! I'm thinking the same as Rockn H, just stick in a old growth DF and stand back while it spits out 2X4's.

[Doc]

the trees would sprout legs and run off seeing that thing coming!

Pappy....I am opting for cheap insurance and saying 14 guys the size of Uncle Buck. That thing looks like a hernia on wheels! Have rupture....will travel.....

Doc

[sprucebunny]

I think it would be easier in the long run...(think "moving day ") to block up the trailer with the planer on it and buy another one.
Then build a floor up around the planer and trailer.

Get a more heavy duty trailer this time .......... That dumps

[tnlogger]

joan i done think ya gots it figged out. 

[Gilman]

Sprucebunny, That might just be the easiest.

It's a four sided planer/moulder.  It also came with T&G knives and some moulding knives.  I'll have to post some more pictures of the innards.

[FeltzE]

Cool idea installing it on that trailer like that. Don't forget to take those tires off and store them somewhere safe until you need to move again.

What ya going to power it with?

Eric

[Frank_Pender]

It was being powered with a short block 250 Cummins.  He still has more part to get, a side delivery pully system and a set of mounting brackets that attatch to a cement floor.  To take the unit from the trailer when I hauled it home I used a ten ton jack  and a piece of 2' piece of iron pipe.   I tilted the trailer and it came off in a hurry.

[Gilman]

I think I changed my plans a bit.  I was wanting to convert over to five independent electric motors.  One for each head and the power feed.  However, this will require 3 phase, motors, sheeves and belts, which I don't have yet.  However, If I keep things simple and return it to original, I could simply use an old tractor for the time being and convert over when the demand requires.  I imagine I could run quite a few bf in an hour. I'm going to keep the guards simple for now too.  I'll just build two area guards for each side.  That would make cleanup easier too.

I have two 3600 cfm blowers in God's storage shed. I bought them about ten years ago and was going to use them for my woodshop and metal shop.

[asy]

Don't worry Gilman...

ONE DAY you'll get a big planer... 

Just make do with this one for now...   

asy

[Gilman]

Here's question #1.
Anyone know where I can get square wrenches for the planer and moulding clamping bolts?




Straight knife moulding head


I got the collets free in these three heads, but the last head is still in the moulder.  It should be a real bugger to get out.

Here's a few more close up photos of the moulder
Infeed end, two of the six powered feed rollers.  Better let go of that board!


Moulder and planer section

[Fla._Deadheader]

  Hey, that's pretty slick, taking it all apart, so you can lift it off the trailer. I never wooda thunk a dat. 

  Getcha some 8 point sockets. 

[Stump Jumper]

mabey some rust reaper is in the future.

[Furby]

I belive 12 point sockets will work.

[etat]

Furby's braver than me.    I 'think' I could see how a 12 point would work but I just can't get it in my head how a 8 point would.  I tried to draw it out with both a 8 and a 12 and I kept coming up with a problem with a 8 point in the corners.  Unless I ain't lookin at it right.

One things fer sure, if I could once get em out I'd replace em with some regular bolts!

[Corley5]

8 point or sometimes referred to as double square.  Sometimes a twelve point will work but you run a big risk of rounding off the corners.  Just not enough contact between the socket and the bolt or nut head.  Sears has them and so does SnapOn.  Sometimes you'll find old ones at tractor shows but be wary of these as many were slightly over sized for use on galvanized windmill hardware

[etat]

8 point or sometimes referred to as double square

So what yer sayin is Fla.'s done tricked me and weren't even talking about a regular socket!

[Fla._Deadheader]

  No trick. They make regular 8 point sockets. They are used by the power company, on the electric or hydraulic drill motors, for taking out lags and stuff from the hardware on the poles.  If you look into the 8 point, it has a square opening.  6 point and 12 point are for a HEXAGON head bolt or nut.

  I even have a ¼" drive socket set with a couple of 8 point sockets. 

  If I HAFTA, I'll dig 'em out tomorrow and take a picture.

[trim4u2nv]

4 or 8 sockets should work.  If you can find 4 point you can just measure across the flats.  The more common 12 points may require some trial and error but I have used them in a pinch on our moulder.   Don't be tempted use cheap bolts to replace these gib bolts or you could have a real wreck or worse. 

[etat]

I think I've done showed enough of my ignorance on this thread and am just a gonna shut up!!!!!

[Furby]

Yep Corley, your right.
I REALLY hate having to use 12 point, but sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do to get the job done!
Can't say for sure I done them as big as Gilman has on there, but sometimes you do get lucky and they break loose before knocking the corners off.

Gilman, any chance you can get an open end wrench on one and see if it will give?

[Gilman]

Thanks for the advice on the 8 pt sockets, I'll have to look around for some.  Turns out, I lucked out, the square heads were 1/4" and 1/2".  I just reversed a socket extension and used a tap handle.



I just love my Dynabrade, it was painful when I bought it $$$, but well worth the investment. I have extra attachments that allow me to get into about any corner.  Here I'm using a non woven abrasive belt to remove the rust build up.


Here's one of the collets. I just know somebody was dieing to see a collet

[Gilman]

Here's another question. 
How do you setup your knives on these heads?  Do I need to build a jig with a dial indicator or something?  The head for straight knives doesn't have any kind of depth adjustment like modern planer heads.  I figure I'd better build some kind of jig before even attempting to get 8 knives aligned. 

[Norm]

These guys do a bunch of planer and moulder work, may try them.

http://www.woodtechtooling.com/

[Gilman]

Started to loosen up the planer clamp bolts, one free, then two, three, fou <SNAP>...

Lets see 25% failure rate x 8 bolts/knive x 6 knives/head x 2 heads = I just ordered a gallon of rust reaper.

[caryr]

Way to go Gilman. Frank tried the “do you want to buy it?” on me about a year ago, but I showed a bit more restraint. Make sure you leave enough room for adequate in feed and out feed. I had a 20' 6X12 the other day that could have used some trimming.

Cary

[caryr]

Hi Gilman,

I hope the bolt extraction is going well. I forgot about this earlier since I don't spend too much time working on old rusty equipment, but something you may want to look into is an industrial penetrating oil called Kroil made by Kano Labs. I have not used it personally, but I have heard it works well.

Cary

[beenthere]

caryr
I'm of the impression that the rust reaper is better'n (or as good as) the Kano products. Mr. rust reaper may have some info on that, as I believe he has a pretty good idea of his competition.  I've used the Kano and it's good, I will admit.

Another thing I watched work real well was on stud bolts in engine blocks. The guy was using an acetylene torch directed at the stud, and when the stud was getting red hot, touched it with a wax candle. The wax apparently cools the bolt quickly and wicks down around the threads. Could then remove them with a pair of pliers. This was being done just before the engine block was steam cleaned, if I remember correctly.

[Den Socling]

That idea with the hot stud or bolt and wax sounds great. And it's so simple.

I use stuff called 'tapstick'. It's kinda like candle wax but has a lower melting point. I suspect that it's PEG. I'll have to try that on the next stuck bolt I come across. It wouldn't need to be very hot.

[Gilman]

I used up my Koil on the moulding heads.  I really like the product, smells good too.

Since the planer head has been soaked with both products, I don't know which one works better.  I would however recommend both products.  I would have ordered more Kroil, but I'd rather give one of our sponsors a try first.

I had one bolt on the moulding head that was really stuck, started to shear it off.  I built a little dam out of monkey dope and filled the pond with rust reaper and then let is soak over night.  The next day it broke free easily.  Thanks rust reaper.


I'll have to give the wax trick a try too.

[Norwiscutter]

You could maybe just leave that thing on the trailer and start a portable moulding business.

[Gilman]

It's off the trailer now.  Didn't hardly bend an axle either!

A friend of mine unloaded it with his loader.  He's also letting me store it there. 

I guess I could have just jacked the rear end of my truck up and powered it with a rear tire.

[Jeff]

Poor the Kroil out in the used oil barrel and order some rust reaper. Rust Reaper is tons better plus they sponsor the Forestry Forum.

[Gilman]

 

Started to loosen up the planer clamp bolts, one free, then two, three, fou <SNAP>...

Lets see 25% failure rate x 8 bolts/knive x 6 knives/head x 2 heads = I just ordered a gallon of rust reaper.[/b]

The Rust Reaper works as good as my Woodmizer, Baileys customer service, and my Logrite Peaveys.  The more time you give it to soak in, the better.

Woodshed watch out, here I come!

[Corley5]

We've got the back spark plug on the 8N tractor soaking in Rust Reaper as we speak.  The other three plugs came right out.  Dad had sprayed some PB Blaster around it and it soaked for a day with no results.  I soaked it up with a rag, blew out around the plug and filled the depression with R.R.  Should be just about done now

[Ironwood]

The planer is one of those "don't makem like this anymore" deals, for sure! The old stuff can be SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much nicer than the new. Good Luck. REID

[Quartlow]

S&K maks a set of pipe plug sockets which work nicely on square head bolts also,

Great new toy, at least you never have to worry about somebody carting it off 

[Gilman]

It works great for locking up my bicycle 

Thanks Quartlow, didn't even think of pipe plug sockets, I'll look around for some.

[Gilman]

Wow, May '05 was my last post.  Apparently I didn't get this planer running as soon as I'd planned.

When I bought it I had no idea where I'd put it when I got it home.  It has been stored in a maintenance yard for the last 4 years.  Timing finally worked out to have a trailer, a loader, and an operator available at the same time.  I had to use my T100 and the same trailer to get it to it's final resting place.  I suspected the clutch was going out on my truck but wasn't sure.  After I was loaded up and chained down, I tried to leave the yard in 1st gear.... Nothing...  Rev and try again.... nothing, but this time I got clutch smoke stink.  The good news, I know now that I have a warn out clutch.

To get it out of the yard, which is pretty much flat I had to use 4 low and then shift to 2 High.  The worrysome part was down the road, the hill that climbs to 400'.  First gear and hit it hard, nope.  I had to stop and restart in 1st low.  A little bucking and we (baby Sarah and I) were off at an astounding 2 mph.  I tried 2nd low but no deal, back to 1st.  I found out it takes a long time to climb a short hill when you're topped out at 2-3 mph.

Now I have my transmission removed and need to install the new clutch today. 

[StorminN]

Hi Gilman,

Sorry to hear about your clutch. Did you at least get the planer set where you're not going to need to move it for a while??

I'd be interested to hear about any process on your planer. I'm looking to move a similar "little" planer as soon as the ground gets dry enough to do it. Some pics of it are here:
http://www.forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,36733.0.html

I'd also be interested to hear what you've learned about the shaper heads and such on your planer. The side heads on the one I'm looking to move are similar. The top and bottom heads are square. I've been reading and posted at owwm to gather some knowledge there, too.

I've never moved anything this heavy that didn't move itself (big excavators, etc.)... so I'm talking to folks and reading and trying to learn about it... seems every first timer has a scary story, I'd like to try and avoid that...

Thanks,
-Norm.

[Gilman]

seems every first timer has a scary story, I'd like to try and avoid that

Don't think about it too much Norm, or you won't do it.  There's no way I'd haul that thing again from 75 miles away again.    Ignorance is bliss. 

Currently the planer is parked on fresh gravel so I can get to it with the big fork lift.  My little 4wd forklift won't lift it. My aunt is giving me a V6 out of her son's Mustang to power it.  A person shouldn't store their junk at her house and then pith her off. 

I might also try to run it of my Ford 860 tractor.