If you recall I picked up a Powermatic 16" planer early last duck season for a restoration project and use in my crowded little shop. The planer sat over the winter while duck season was underway. Once done chasing ducks the restoration began.
The restoration consisted of taking every single piece apart, pressing off all bearings, stripping almost everything down to bare metal in a hot lye tank I made from a turkey fryer, wirebrushing all fasteners and steel parts, priming, and repainting. Jeff Smith and I went in together on a Dake 25 ton hydraulic press and used it quite a bit for this restoration. One of the cutterhead bearings alone required 12 tons to break free. Stuff gets stuck after 40 years of light rust. Between the Dake and borrowing some OTC pullers from Jeff I was pretty well equipped to break her down and press on new bearings. All bearings were replaced including the motor. Although the planer never saw a lot of use in the tech school where it lived for almost 40 years but it did have a few broken parts. Luckily I was able to get everyone of them from a parts supplier in Atlanta called Redmonds. Other than making a dust hood and putting the knife grinder back on it she is done. A very satisfying project but my last for a while. Too many other projects ahead of the Oliver shaper that waits in the shed.
It's quite easy to see for myself why Powermatic planers get the nod from so many woodworkers. The design is stout and robust. Thomas recently told me he wanted my tools when I was done using them. This planer should be going strong when that day comes.
Video of planer in action - http://duckboats.net/pics/eric/PM160Vid.wmv I know someone is going to tell me I wasn't wearing eye protection, especially in light of my recent eye injury, and they are correct. I plead guilty with the reason being I got very distracted trying to get the camera set-up and film by myself.
The restoration consisted of taking every single piece apart, pressing off all bearings, stripping almost everything down to bare metal in a hot lye tank I made from a turkey fryer, wirebrushing all fasteners and steel parts, priming, and repainting. Jeff Smith and I went in together on a Dake 25 ton hydraulic press and used it quite a bit for this restoration. One of the cutterhead bearings alone required 12 tons to break free. Stuff gets stuck after 40 years of light rust. Between the Dake and borrowing some OTC pullers from Jeff I was pretty well equipped to break her down and press on new bearings. All bearings were replaced including the motor. Although the planer never saw a lot of use in the tech school where it lived for almost 40 years but it did have a few broken parts. Luckily I was able to get everyone of them from a parts supplier in Atlanta called Redmonds. Other than making a dust hood and putting the knife grinder back on it she is done. A very satisfying project but my last for a while. Too many other projects ahead of the Oliver shaper that waits in the shed.
It's quite easy to see for myself why Powermatic planers get the nod from so many woodworkers. The design is stout and robust. Thomas recently told me he wanted my tools when I was done using them. This planer should be going strong when that day comes.
Video of planer in action - http://duckboats.net/pics/eric/PM160Vid.wmv I know someone is going to tell me I wasn't wearing eye protection, especially in light of my recent eye injury, and they are correct. I plead guilty with the reason being I got very distracted trying to get the camera set-up and film by myself.
