DEWALT dw733 thicknesser

[happyhero]

Hi, Can any one advise me a bit, I just got one of these machines, as I do quite a bit of carpentry for myself and others. It has settings that allow you to remove up to 3mm in one go, and a drive belt that is designed to snap if the internals lock up to prevent any damage internally.

Question is how much should you remove in one go, I worry the belt will snap if I put it to the full 3mm in one go and I have read (I can't remember where) that you should do it in small amounts i.e. 0.5mm at a time, but this seems silly if say for example you want to take 3mm off, that would mean 6 goes at it to reach 3mm.

Basically some guidance needed please from anyone who has one. All answers appreciated.

 

[petewood]

Can be a bit of trial and error with planers/thicknessers until you get the hang of it. Try 1mm and see what it sounds like and how well the motor takes it. It largely depends on the width and the type of wood. If planing a bit of 2" x 2" softwood I would take off 4 or 5mm with mine (not dewalt) but if planing a bit of ash or oak 12" wide I would stick to about 1mm.

Better to take it slowly and do more passes. It's safer, you will get a better finish, the knives will stay sharper and the machine will last longer.

Hope this helps.