nervous starting up new rigid planer

seriously?

i always stand to the side
when starting up new tools

just in case

ready to turn off the switch

-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle

As Patron said, also remove valuable breakable items from the potential trajectory path. Lol. Also remember that the full warranty is in effect. Go for it!!!

-- Randy-- I may not be good...but I am slow!

Don’t sweat it, brother. Raise the planer where the board will slide completely through. Ease it down until you feel the slightest resistance. When you flip the switch, it’s going to be LOUD. Don’t be startled while you hold the board. If you have dust collection, have it running before you flip the switch. Make sure the outfeed is well supported, as you don’t want it tipping into the cutter head.
.
I’m irresponsible but I wear hearing protection with the planer. In my tiny shop, it’s like a jet taking off.
.
Once that thing comes out the other side, you’ll be all smiles.
.
Powerplaning a board is probably the most rewarding feeling in my shop. It’s the first glance of what the piece is likely to look like. I think you’d have to try hard to injure yourself doing it. You’re going to be so happy.

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

If you might be afraid of the initial noise or fear of unwanted flying objects , use an extension cord to plug it in from a safe distance . Of course you would turn the power switch on before plugging it in to the extension cord while hiding behind a sheet of 3/4” plywood…just in case : )
Once it’s up to speed , gradually peek around the plywood and look for smoke coming from the machine. No smoke means you’re good to go : ) Now you can cautiously approach the machine and turn it off at the switch. Adjust the cutter head to your board that you want to plane and make several light passes instead of one or more heavy passes to arrive at your final thickness. Most importantly , stand to one side of the machine in case of kick back : ) You’ll be fine : )

-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.

Be afraid…...very afraid. I usually summon the fire department every time I fire-up one of my machines. You know, just in case. Since I lose an appendage every 3rd or 4th time I use my planer, its good to have a medic close by who can quickly sew it back on. LOL.

Just jokin ya.In all seriousness its good to be weary when using an unfamiliar machine. Most accidents are products of complacentcy. As Bertha said, the powered planer is the woodworking version of instant gratfication. It can take a piece of pallet wood, and turn it into a thing of beauty. If it wasnt so damn loud, it’d probably be my favorite tool.

^awesome, fellas:). ‘sucker’s loud, Ted. It’s like when my compressor fires up out of nowhere and I feel like someone goosed me:)

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

As long as you have checked everything written in the instructional manuals for any power tool, you have done a complete checklist,, no need to add any thing more, they know how to write the manuals for the proper operation of there products, therefor, any time you start up a new machine, knowing you followed all instructions given, proceed as follows.

1. Unplug the machine,
2. (If possible) manually turn shafts and cutter heads and other easy to reach movable parts, to check for unusual binding rubbing or noise. With a thoro knowledge of what the machine is used for you should have some instinctive knowledge if something is wrongly binding or rubbing or making noise.
3. After everything feels and looks safe, plug in the machine.
4. (very important step) Stand to the side and PULSE THE POWER SWITCH TO THE ON POSITION AND TURN IT OFF AFTER A QUICK 1 SEC. PULSE) this will loosen up anything that is loose, and you could hear for any unusual sounds.
If all sounds well, then pulse the power on switch again, leaving it on for around 5 seconds, then turn it off, and listen for any unusual sounds.
When it all sounds well, proceed to turn the machine on and let it run, while continuing to listen for any unusual sounds, when all is well, then you have properly set uo your machine for use.

Like Al said, wear hearing protection. The planer is the only machine in my shop I actually do this for.

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

There should be nothing at all to fear if your gonna put wood through it take light cuts at first always stand to the side like Patron said and make shure there’s a lot of space to put the wood through and take out also hook up some sort of dust collection or u will be sweeping up a big mess another safe way to run it is have a person who knows about tha machine show u how to run it !

-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop, http://www.icombadaniels@yahoo.com

I feel your pain! I remember when I first cranked up mine. Two really important items to check for and do. number one Make sure the exhaust is on Tight because there is a safety cut off switch that it holds down and if it’s not on tight it will stop the planer and it’s a loud screech! yuck. and Secondly although you may not need it yet wax the bottom where the wood feeds in and out because it will eventual stick causing some concern. Also I find that the exhaust will get clogged from time to time causing the chips to fly out the front. No need to worry just clean her out and crank her up again. Good luck and have fun!

-- Steve - Wasilla, Alaska

Just be cautious and respect the planer but do not fear it. I always raise my planer blades higher than the thickness of the wood to where it does not even plane the board on the first pass…it just goes through. Then I lower it ever so slightly until it skims the board and then gradually lower it from there on additional passes. I am never in too much of a hurry to be careful…and after 64 years I still have all my fingers and toes.

-- Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. http://www.FineArtBoxes.com

Don’t do anything if it makes you uncomfortable. Incidentally, anyone who gives anybody grief for being nervous while using a new power too for the first time….probably has no business using power tools themselves. now the fact

Try approaching it in baby steps.

Start it, stand back, and let it run for a bit. That way you know nothings gonna fly off and hit you. Just get use to the noise.

Then edge your first piece…make it a pine 2×6 or 1×6….something soft that keeps your hands far enough away to feel comfortable. Do 10 or so passes.

Then try face joining the pine….10 passes or so should do it After that you should have all the confidence you need.

To be extra sure, go through the safety instructions like a checklist the first 5 times you use it.

-- Isaac- Decatur, GA - "Your woodworking....NOT machining parts for NASA!!!"

It is times like these everyone should have a ex-wife…... They do come in handy ;-).....

But serious note, After putting together a new machine and starting it up for the first time we all have a little anxiety. With it unplugged, turn your cutter head by moving the belt of course several times and make sure you do not have some left-over parts, plug it in, stay to the side and turn it on. It’s good to be cautious.

-- What we do in life will Echo through Eternity........

IsaacH,
Then edge your first piece…make it a pine 2×6 or 1×6….something soft that keeps your hands far enough away to feel comfortable. Do 10 or so passes.
Then try face joining the pine….10 passes or so should do it After that you should have all the confidence you need.

The OP is operating a planer , not a jointer as your directions seem to imply : )

-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.