The helical cutterheads have gradually become the top choice of many woodworkers in modern woodworking due to their excellent performance. With its shear cutting design, it can produce a smoother surface, reduce tearing, and has a long service life, making it ideal for professionals who pursue the best surface quality.
However, to enjoy such optimal performance, you must maintain and care for it properly. This post gives you some suggestions on maintaining the helical cutterhead of your jointer or thickness planer. Just keep reading and dive into it.
How to Maintain a Helical Cutterhead
Regular Check
Firstly, it is necessary to perform regular, comprehensive inspections of your helical cutterhead, including its shaft, bearings, and carbide inserts. Disconnect the power supply and inspect the blade for any signs of loosening or worn edges. Check for any unusual noises or vibrations during operation.
If there is wear and the blade becomes dull, you should resharpen it to prevent it from affecting the material and machine. Or, you can just rotate the worn cutting edge to a new, sharp one. After that, use a wrench to fasten the insert securely. Ensure to unplug the machine each time you change the inserts.
Cleaning
After each use of the helical cutterhead, clean it immediately. The debris will build up on the cutterhead and become difficult to remove. Use a soft brush or compressed air to clean and remove any accumulated wood chips, resin, and other impurities from the cutter. Make sure the area where the insert seat is clean to allow for proper installation.
Proper Use
When using a helical cutterhead, it’s essential to follow the user manual. Before starting work, inspect the material for metal, cement, or other debris to prevent damage to the cutting edges.
Apply different feed rates depending on the material being processed, such as softwood and hardwood. This ensures a smooth surface without overloading the cutterhead.
For thicker materials, it is best to take multiple small passes rather than attempting to process the entire thickness at once. Prolonged overloading can cause irreversible damage to the cutterhead and equipment, and in severe cases, may even destroy the equipment.
Lubricate
You need to regularly apply lubricant to the bearings at both ends of the cutter and other rotating parts to keep them running smoothly. This can effectively extend the overall life of the cutterhead and equipment.
Conclusion
Regular maintenance of the helical cutterhead involves proper cleaning, inspection, and lubrication. And the correct daily usage is for the lifespan and effectiveness of the helical cutterhead and the machine.
For additional replacements and tools, visit FindBuyTool and shop around. You can also choose the best cutterhead for your DeWalt 735 (if you have one). There is a 5% discount for newcomers, don’t miss it.
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Also Read: Spiral vs. Helical Cutterhead: Essential Differences You Should Know
