Shopmade Jointer #2: Getting the motor and cutterhead from Ryobi AP13AK Thicknesser

Proceeding with the jointer build. Before i started disintegrating all the parts of the thicknesser, I tested it first a few times and there was no snipe and other issues pertaining to its function, the machine was still in its prestine condition. Momentarily I hesitated to tear it down but i have to build this Jointer out from this machine. The only objective of demolishing this valuable machine is just to get the essential parts for the Jointer, the motor and the cutterhead.

1. The Ryobi AP13AK without the top and side covers. This machine is solidly built and very heavy but it took me only a few minutes to expose the innards.

I then begun taking out the in-feed roller and the anti-kickback pawls so i can gain access to the screws holding the motor.

2. This is the left side showing the chains and sprockets that drives the feed rollers.

3. The main body without the motor and cutter head assembly.

4. The motor separated from the cutterhead housing.

5. The main motor. It took me a while thinking how to remove the plastic cover because even after removing two screws, the cover still won’t go. I finally decided to use my utility cutter to split the sticker that might be hiding the locking mechanism. I was right, after slitting the sticker the left cover just fell off by its own.

6. The motor without the plastic covering the gear box and the electrical wiring taken apart from the housing.

7. For 3 consecutive days I didn’t progress with this demolition coz i can’t remove the retaining rings for the bearings at both ends of the cutterhead. I don’t have the tool for it so i had to bring it somewhere where someone can do it for me.

And there they are, all necessary parts taken out from a good thicknesser. The motor and the cutterhead. There’s just a minor problem here, the sizes of the shaft at each end are different. No wonder the bearings in the picture are not same in size too. This would mean that the two pillowblocks that i’m going to use will be in different sizes. I’ll just need to put a thick shim under the smaller pillowblock to level with the bigger one.

....next, putting all these together into a frame to become a Jointer.

-- My Master is Mankind's Greatest Carpenter.