In woodworking, good tools make a big difference in the quality of your work. One tool that woodworkers are excited about is the Shelix cutter head. Made for the DeWalt DW735 planer, the Shelix cutter head has a spiral design with many small, sharp blades. These blades are set at an angle, which allows them to cut smoothly and with less noise than regular straight blades.
Many woodworkers swear by the Shelix cutter head for its ability to reduce tearout, improve cut quality, and extend blade life. The Shelix cutter head not only enhances the overall performance of your thickness planer but also offers a significant reduction in noise when compared to standard cutter heads, making your woodworking experience more pleasant.
What Are Snipe In Planers?
Snipe refers to a slight dip or gouge towards the end of a board that has been planed. Essentially, it’s a noticeable, undesirable cut at the beginning or end of the board.
Snipe can be frustrating because it often necessitates extra sanding or even wasting a part of the board. While snipe can occur with any planer, certain factors can exacerbate it, such as the weight of the board, the type of wood, or the alignment of the planer’s components.
Common Causes Of Snipe in DW735
The DeWalt DW735 is a highly acclaimed planer popular among woodworkers. However, users have reported occurrences of snipe with this planer. So, what are the common causes?
One of the primary reasons for snipe in the DW735 is the vertical offset between the feed wheels and the cutter head. If the offset is not set correctly, it can cause the board to lift slightly when it enters or exits the cutter head, leading to snipe. Another cause is the flex in the table, which can be influenced by the type of wood, the amount being cut, and the local hardness of the wood.
It’s worth pointing out that snipe is not a flaw with the DW735 or any other planer. Rather, it’s a common occurrence that can be minimized with the correct setup and handling.
Installation Of Shelix Cutter Head On DW735
Transitioning from a standard cutter head to a Shelix cutter head on your DW735 planer is a significant upgrade. It’s a move that many woodworkers make to benefit from the smoother cuts, reduced tearout, and extended blade life that the Shelix offers. However, the installation is not a mere drop-in replacement. It requires a careful setup to ensure optimal performance.
During installation, you need to pay close attention to the alignment of the cutter head. The height of the infeed and outfeed tables must be perfectly level with the cutter head to prevent snipe. Also, the cutter head’s alignment with the feed rollers is critical; a misalignment could lead to uneven feeding of the wood and potentially cause snipe.
Does Shelix Cutter Head Increase Snipe?
No, the Shelix cutter head does not inherently increase snipe. However, it doesn’t automatically eliminate it either.
Snipe is generally caused by mechanical issues, such as the vertical offset between the feed wheels and the cutter head or the flex in the table. While the Shelix cutter head improves the overall cutting quality, it doesn’t necessarily resolve these underlying issues. Therefore, even with a Shelix cutter head, snipe can still occur if the planer is not correctly set up or maintained.
So, while the Shelix cutter head does not increase snipe, it is not a magic bullet for snipe elimination either. It’s an upgrade that brings about improved cut quality and reduced noise, but like any tool, it’s effectiveness still depends on the user’s understanding of the device and attention to detail during setup and operation.
Adjustments To Minimize Snipe With Shelix
Although the Shelix cutter head doesn’t inherently eliminate snipe, it doesn’t mean you’re bound to grapple with this issue. It’s more about how you handle your DW735 planer and the adjustments you make that can help minimize snipe. Let’s get into more details.
One of the key adjustments involves the alignment of the infeed and outfeed tables. These should be perfectly level with the cutter head. If not, this can lead to snipe. So, once you’ve installed your Shelix cutter head, take the time to ensure these tables are level. This might sound like a minor detail, but it can make a significant difference in the quality of your planing.
Another critical adjustment pertains to the cutter head’s alignment with the feed rollers. Any misalignment here could lead to uneven feeding of the wood, which might result in snipe. So, double-check the alignment and make the necessary adjustments.
Additional Tips
Apart from the above adjustments, there are other measures you can take to reduce snipe in your DW735 planer. One such measure is using bed extensions. Extensions help support the wood as it’s fed into and out of the planer, reducing the chance of snipe occurring.
Also, be mindful of how heavy a cut you’re making. If the cut is too aggressive, it could lead to snipe. Try starting with a lighter cut and gradually increasing it if necessary. Remember, patience is key in woodworking!
Comparing Shelix With Other Cutter Heads
When we compare the Shelix cutter head with other cutter heads, we can see why it’s a popular upgrade for the DW735 planer. The spiral design of the Shelix cutter head allows for a smoother cut, which can reduce tearout and extend blade life. This is a notable contrast to straight knife cutter heads, which can be much noisier and cause more tearout.
Furthermore, the Shelix cutter head is made up of several small, sharp blades. This means that if one blade gets damaged, you only need to replace that one blade, not the entire cutter head. This can save you time and money in the long run.
However, it’s important to note that while the Shelix cutter head offers numerous benefits, it doesn’t automatically eliminate snipe. This is a common misconception that needs to be addressed. The prevention of snipe relies more on the correct setup and handling of your planer, rather than the type of cutter head you use.
Conclusion
So, is the Shelix cutter head worth the upgrade? When you consider the number of benefits it brings, such as smoother cuts, reduced tearout, extended blade life, and less noise, it’s easy to see why many woodworkers say yes. However, keep in mind that while the Shelix cutter head enhances your planer’s performance, it doesn’t guarantee the elimination of snipe. Proper setup, handling, and regular maintenance of your planer are still crucial.
So, the Shelix cutter head for DW735 doesn’t increase snipe, but it doesn’t necessarily eliminate it either. It’s an upgrade that boosts your planer’s performance, but its effectiveness still hinges on your understanding of the device and your attention to detail during setup and operation. So, if you’re considering the upgrade, go for it – but remember, the tool is only as good as the one who wields it.
