This product is absolutely amazing and is the best upgrade you can do to any tool or woodworking machine I can think of. Amazing how quite it is compared to the blades that SCREEM as they chop along. The thing is slicing and the finish is just beautiful and every woodworker deserves this quality for their projects. Seriously the finish produced with this cutter head in the DW735 is as good or better than any planer I have own and I have owned a number of large, expensive machines.
Just a few comments of those negative reviews, most of which have come about with people not understanding the proper procedures for installing the Shelix head and especially removing and installing the cutters. Many of the on line videos of this installation are being done incorrectly, especially installing the individual carbide cutter.
Follow the directions closely and you will not have any problems, especially installing the cutters which must be positioned FLAT on the head allow the screw to pull/push the cutter back against the alignment wall. Do NOT allow the cutter to sit against that back wall until they are dead flat on the bottom surface.
The screws and screw holes are not designed to align exactly over each other, which is what some are doing, and that means the cutter segments are not flat on the surface and they are misaligned and can be broken when tightened, and they will produce streaks that some are talking about. Just watch the companies website videos and you will be fine.
I found it helpful to wrap the head without the cutters, in blue painters tape and slowly insert it into the planner. When resistance is felt, try moving the end of the cutter head slowly, left or right, up or down and you be able to step the each segment platform through the cutter hole one at a time.
I had to remove the small gear on one end of the shaft and install it after the cutter head was installed in the machine, as it was preventing me from moving the shaft forward as it approached the far end bearing race.
I found it easy to set the bearing and head into the planner races by putting the shaft pulley nut flush on the shaft and then striking it lightly with a large rubber hammer. It provides a much larger surface to distribute the rubber hammer strikes. A little light weight oil wiped on the races and bearing also help with the install.
Most of the videos on line show the cutters being installed with a power driver, or one handed just cranking away, big mistake. One hand should be sliding the carbide and holding it FLAT on the base and the tightening screw will help pull it back to the alignment wall. You can use your thumb to make sure it is flat, then slide it toward the wall and tighten. The SCREW HEADS will not be flush in the cutter holes, they are designed to be slightly offset as that is what holds the carbide cutter tight and properly aligned.
Hope this helps others, this is a fantastic product but you have to install it correctly.
| Manufacturer | Byrd |
|---|---|
| Part Number | Dewalt P131519-1/B |
| Item Weight | 5.99 pounds |
| Package Dimensions | 20.39 x 6.22 x 4.09 inches |
| Item model number | Dewalt P131519-1/B |
| Material | carbide |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
