It has been a long time since I installed Byrd Tool's Shelix carbide cutter heads in my Delta DJ-20 8" jointer (May 2009) and DeWalt DW735 13" planer (June 2012). The videos showing the installation of the cutter head in my planer have been viewed almost 75,000 times! Although the machines still produced tearout-free cuts, they did … Continue reading “Sharpening” Carbide Insert Cutter Heads
One of the most common questions I am asked is how I flatten the large pieces of wood I often use in my work. This table top, for example, is approximately 45 inches wide and 96 inches long. Machinery is Not the Answer Perhaps one of the quickest ways to surface a board is to … Continue reading Flattening Big Pieces of Wood
My next project is a commissioned loft bed for a child. It has a set of stairs up to the bed on one side and a slide down from the other side. There will be drawers in the side of the stair case and the top will be draped with cloth to complete the canopy. … Continue reading Child’s Loft Bed, Session 4 – Assembly of the Headboard and Footboard
After Session 1, I received a lot of feedback showing interest in this build so I will continue to document my struggles with straight lines and flat surfaces. :) My next project is a commissioned loft bed for a child. It has a set of stairs up to the bed on one side and a … Continue reading Child’s Loft Bed, Session 2 – More Stock Prep
This video is the third of three (duration – 5:36). In case you missed them, here are links to Part 1 and Part 2. In this video, I start by reassembling the planer, working a 4x speed. Then I briefly share my thoughts about the procedure and show the tools used.
This video is the second of three (duration - 14:42). From where I left off at the end of Part 1, I continue to disassemble the planer in order to remove the stock cutterhead. To guide me through the installation, I followed the Installation Manual (PDF) written by Byrd. In the next video, I'll put the planer … Continue reading Installing a Shelix Cutterhead in a DeWalt DW735 Thickness Planer, Part 2
The DeWalt DW735 Thickness Planer is probably the best benchtop planer on the market today. However, the stock HSS (high-speed steel) planer knives don't last very long. Replacement carbide knives are available from Infinity Tools and are a longer-lasting option (the set of carbide knives I am replacing in the video remained sharp for two years). … Continue reading Installing a Shelix Cutterhead in a DeWalt DW735 Thickness Planer, Part 1
Sculptural Woodwork by Chris Wong 