Photo Index - Unknown Manufacturer - Thickness Planer

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Manufactured/Badged by:
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True Manufacturer:
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Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Planer, Wood
Machine Size:	12 Inch
Submitted By:	Daniel McLarty

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	Thickness Planer
Date of Manufacturer:	Early 30's??
Serial Number:	None
Last Updated	5/29/2012 12:08:07 PM

Comments:

Purchased in Northern KY as a Parks but no known Parks model looks like it. It is mostly cast iron and weighs, perhaps, 300 - 500 Lbs. The main cutter bearings are babbit. It was put out on the OWWM discussion board for identification but no one has yet been able to identify it. Most seem to feel it is a prototype or some sort of one-off project that never was in production. It is well made and very simple but had several design flaws, requiring modification. The first stage feed reduction was a flat leather belt with no tensioner or adjustment driven directly off the main cutter shaft. It is difficult to understand how this could have worked very long, let alone 80 or so years. Also, the belt was located right up against one of the babbit bearings exposing it to oil. The 2nd stage feed reduction is a v-belt drive and although it has a tensioner, it appears that initially it did not, as the clearance for it in the belt guard has been machined in, not cast in. The main cutter shaft/coupling connection was with two set screws engaging two milled flats in the shaft and showed signs of slippage. I made several modifications to it. These were:
1. Replaced 1Hp, 3 Ph motor with 1-1/2 Hp 1 Ph motor. ( Required motor mount adapter)
2. Added a belt tensioner to 1st stage feed reduction as there was no adjustment or tensioner.
3. Moved 1st stage feed reduction belt 1/2 away from cutter shaft bearing and added oil slinger to protect belt from oil.
4. Cut keyway into cutter shaft and added key and new Lovejoy coupling. Original design was two set screws to carry cutting torque.
5. New belts
6. Added wheels and axle on planer end and leg and handles on motor end

Photo 1:

Comments: Finished Machine
Source: Dan McLarty

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Photo 2:

Comments: Finished Machine showing 1st stage feed
Source: Dan McLarty

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Photo 3:

Comments: End View
Source: Dan McLarty

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Photo 4:

Comments: Machine as Purchased
Source: Dan McLarty

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Photo 5:

Comments: Original 1st Stage Feed Drive
Source: Dan McLarty

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