| Review by jwisbey | posted 580 days ago | 2364 views | 2 times favorited | 5 comments |  |
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- Wixey WR 550 - Remote Planer Readout
- Brand: Wixey | Category: Measuring Tools
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I recently installed a Wixey WR 550 digital readout to a 20 year old Bridgewood BW15P 15” planer. I purchased it from Amazon for $79 dollars. The contents were well packed in the box.
The reason I purchased this readout was due to the various options for installation on a machine. With my planer being so old, I wasn’t sure if I could find a digital readout for it. The installation took about 20 minutes, with most of the time determining where the best place to install it was. I considered installing it near the rear of the machine, but then I noticed that the top bracket aligned with 2 screws in a post support. Upon removing the screws, I determined that the existing machine screws were not long enough. Luckily I had 2 that were 1/4” longer that fit perfectly. I only had to drill 2 holes for the bottom bracket and 2 holes to hold the readout and I was done. Wixey provided the drill bits and the screws provided were self tapping which made installation a breeze.
I installed the batteries and planed a small board as was suggested in the installation guide, then cut a middle section out of it for calibration. I loosened the lock knob, placed the board between 2 ‘fingers’ on the scale mount and held the calibration button on the readout for 3 seconds. Then the board was removed, the fingers moved back together, and the lock nob retightened. Done!!!. It took all of about 2 minutes to perform including the planing of the test board.
I checked the board thickness with a digital caliper and the readout was within .002”. That is more than enough accuracy for me!
Overall, the readout was well packaged, provided various installation options, was easy to install and calibrate, and was well within the tolerances of accuracy that I will ever need. I highly recommend this if you are looking to add a digital readout to your planer, sander, or additional machine that has a moving table for thicknesses (12” range or less).
-- Joe, Ohio - Working with wood for over 25 years and still a beginner
5 comments so far
Jim Jakosh
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7651 posts in 1303 days
#1 posted 579 days ago
That is really a neat use of that digital readout tool. I could use on on the Z axis on my mill and will look into it. Currently I use a plastic digital caliper with the head cut off and mounted between two pins. I cna see a lot of uses for such a tool. Than you so much for sharing!!..............Jim
-- Jim Jakosh.....Practical Wood Products...........Learn something new every day!!
mikedddd
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143 posts in 1427 days
#2 posted 579 days ago
I have one on my planer as well as my drum sander, they make dialing in a specific thickness a breeze. Your going to like that edition to your planer.
-- Mike
Dusty56
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10727 posts in 1885 days
#3 posted 572 days ago
Nice review , great photos : ) Thank you !
-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.
RogerM
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318 posts in 596 days
#4 posted 551 days ago
I put one on a Delta 380 15” planer and absolutely love it. Really a great improvement for this older machine.
-- Roger M, Aiken, SC
HillbillyShooter
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1433 posts in 489 days
#5 posted 20 days ago
Great review—absolutely love the way you mounted the unit (rather than in the back). I’m thinking about getting one of these and if I do, plan to mount it like you have!
-- John C. -- "Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth." George Washington
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