Comments on: When things go wrong

By: Al Navas (Sandal Woods)

Al Navas (Sandal Woods) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:10:03 +0000

The planer is truly great, although many complain about how loud it is. I always wear hearing protection anyway, so the noise is never really an issue unless Sandy or one of the granddaughters is in the shop. The quality of finish is superb, provided the blades are sharp.

By: Torch02

Torch02 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:33:15 +0000

How do you like the DW735? I’m in the market for a power planer in the near future and the 735 is at the top of my interest list. Hearing about the ease of accessing the blades certainly will keep it near the top.

By: Al Navas (Sandal Woods)

Al Navas (Sandal Woods) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:07:46 +0000

Great point, Rob! Maybe the key is to keep some sort of checklist, and stick to a schedule. January is usually the month for my machines, but it arrived a little early for the planer.

By: Rob Young

Rob Young — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:56:06 +0000

I haven’t changed them yet but I did decide on a strategy for at least CHECKING the blades. They (and you know “they” are always right) say to check/replace smoke detector batteries twice a year when we change our clocks? Well, I’ve added a few other things to that list including planer and joiner blades (as well as other general shop machine maintenance, i.e. table saw, etc). So far, so good. Really kills off the whole Sunday too. Those in non-daylight savings areas (Arizona) I guess you are just screwed and will never change your batteries or maintain your blades…

By: Al Navas (Sandal Woods)

Al Navas (Sandal Woods) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:43:21 +0000

Do it now, while still fresh in your memory, Jeff! LOL

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:41:11 +0000

Glad you solved the problem. Your post is a reminder that I need to change my planer blades!

By: Al Navas (Sandal Woods)

Al Navas (Sandal Woods) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:25:53 +0000

That is a great one, Bob! I will make a sign to hang on the chair at the desk in the shop – starting today, it will be known as The Moaning Chair.

By: Bob Easton

Bob Easton — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:34:04 +0000

Good result Al! It typifies the use of “the moaning chair.”

Howard Chapelle, a noted naval historian and author of many books about boats and boat building, prescribed the following:

“The boatbuilder is well advised to place a comfortable chair within easy walking distance, but out of sight of the project. When the builder has done some damn fool thing, like cut two left garboards, or put a drill bit through a newly varnished Honduras mahogany panel, they must immediately retire to the moaning chair, until the period of moaning is complete, lest they turn the whole project into firewood.”

It sounds like you have, and made good use of, a moaning chair. It’s not only boat builders who need em.