Helical Planer Head

[redlee]

Im trying to build a Helical head for a Thickness Planer. Anyone have any info on them or know where I can find it. I have a dimensional Dwg. for the shaft I need info on the insert pockets or mounts. Thanks

[ramdan]

Byrd Tool carries helical cutterhead.

[redlee]

Yes I know, I dont want to buy one I want to make one.

[advt001]

I dont know if this is revalant of not but I used to work for Powermatic almost 30yrs ago.The engineers would somes bring these prototype heads into the patternshop for us to try.What I remember was short pcs of carbide brazed into angular grooves then ground paralell.I dont know if we are taking about the same thing but then again maybe so.

[ramdan]

I hope this helps - shop machined helical cutterhead:
http://lumberjocks.com/alanealane/blog/3862/
http://lumberjocks.com/alanealane/blog/4843

[CarbonKevin]

Yes I know, I dont want to buy one I want to make one.

May I ask why? Knowing the motivation behind this may help us come up with ideas...

[redlee]

I want to try and make one , have the tools , Over $1000.00 to buy.

[harryn]

Hi, I looked at the Byrd tool web site. It looks like they are:
- an array of cutters
- mounted on a spiral
- Offset from each other so that the break in the cut lines are offset
- Designed to cut at an angle to the grain vs straight like a normal blade.

The dimensions should be the same as any other cabide cutter mount, just wound in a spiral.

A simpler way to build it - 80 + % as good, would be to not spiral wind it, just do it in straight lines across the cutter. Then you just need to make sure the screws are offset at each horizontal line.

The largest cost is probably the carbide cutters, so if you make a straight line proto version first, then a final version in spiral, you can still re-use the carbide cutters.

Just some thoughts.

[redlee]

Thanks