Planer Feed

It could be that the roller is worn out. See if it’s possible to replace or even upgrade it. Just a thought.

-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken

i blow mine down after every pass as the dust builds up on the rollers

-- -erik & christy-

I’ve been trying to take really thin cuts off my boards with my planer (a DeWalt 735), and have had similar problems. I think it does a lot better if I take a good solid layer off rather than just trying to kiss the face of the boards with the blades.

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/User:DanLyke

I’ve had the same problem with my DeWalt 734. I’ve cleaned the rollers which doesn’t seem to make much difference. A good table waxing before use seems to be the best solution I’ve found.

-- -Dale

I had that same experience on my 13” Delta. I read a post indicating to clean the rollers with alcohol, and then wax the table. I’ve been doing that ever since, no problems!

-- Matt, Houston Texas

Alcohol can harden rubber rollers over time. I use some stuff called Rubber Renue, http://www.gatewaycatalog.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=2400-00083&type=store. You can go a lot longer between cleanings than with alcohol as well. This size bottle will last for years. Just be sure to have some ventilation. The stuff will make you light headed. I wipe what ever part of the roller is exsposed, toggle the power switch and wipe the next bit. It’s kind of hassle pulling the power cord lose ever time, but it’s quicker than tearing everthing down. Like Matt and Dale said waxing the tables really helps.
I also had to replace the springs that put tension on the infeed roller on my Ridgid. They only cost a couple of bucks and take 30 or 45 min. to replace. Ridgid CS can give you the number of a place in Ohio that sells replacement parts.
Greg

maybe the outfeed roller is to loose ?

-- david ,new mexico ,allheart

I just got the Ridgid planer and was putting it through its paces for the first time yesterday. I had the same thing happen on one particular board, even though it didn’t look any different from the others I was working with.

The first time it failed to feed. I shut down the planer and removed the board. When I tried again and the same thing happened, I gave it just a slight push and it fed right through.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

I have a Dewalt planer and had this same problem. I was doing reclaimed American chestnut. After a few boards, the planer wouldnt pull the board through. I couldnt figure out what was going on. I think it was from the old wood and it had a dark sticky surface. I decided to wax the planer table…that fixed it…worked fine. You might try that.

-- Wayne - Plymouth MN

Thanks for all the comments. I have not used the planer all that much so nothing is really worn. I do keep the table waxed so it may be a combination of dirt on the roller and my not taking off to much at a time. I will try some of the suggestions and see what happens. If I am able to identify one specific cause and cure I will report back because it sounds like this is common with planers.

-- Ron, Kutztown, PA "The reward is in the journey."

Did you register your planer when you bought it? If so take advantage of the Ridgid Lifetime Service… Call them and get this straightened out…

Honestly though, it sounds like a slick / slipping roller.

-- Trying to follow the example of the master.

Hey I had a dewalt planer thicknesser and the roller was worn badly easy to replace it was the fault of the guy I bought it from five minute job. Seriously check the rollers if one is worn just replace it.Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

I had a dewalt 734 that worked fine. Never had a problem until I upgraded to the Dewalt 735. Then the problem started with the rollers stalling. Brought it to Dewalt service center and after the had it for 2 weeks it worked for 1 day. What a lemon!
I finally gought a Grizzly 15” planer and it has worked flawlessly in the last year I have had it.

-- Each and Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. Greg Little