Retrofitting a Shelix Planer Head
#14
Well I think I resolved the dust collection issue - I did two things that I found on the web.  1) moved the chip breaker closer to the cutterhead - it is now very close;  2) removed a piece of foam that was applied to the underside of the dust hood cover.  Unfortunately I made the classic mistake of experimental design - changed two variables at once so I'm not sure which solved the problem - maybe both?

I'm down to one problem - the squeal.  This noise comes and goes - typically you can't hear it when first started, and after a short running time you can hear it.  Then it comes and goes.  I loosened the belt tension a bit and that didn't help.  The Byrd instructions indicate to tap the gear box when installing to seat the motor side bearing.  In my case I was able to simply slide the cutter head assembly into place - it moved very easily into place and I was able to easily slide it in and out.  Right now I'm thinking the bearing may be spinning on its outer race - when I installed the head I did put a little shaft retainer on the bearing/housing because of this ease of assembly.  I think  the most likely issue is the bearing.  The bearing I'm using came with the head and I can't remember if the bearing on the straight knive cutterhead was as much of a sloppy fit.

So what do you think - I can disassemble and try to get more shaft retainer (is that the same as bearing retainer?) on the housing.  This would also tell me if the bearing is still as loose in its housing.  I can use the OEM bearing (by the way these two bearings are marked the same).  I can ignore the noise - likely going to be a longer term problem.  Any other suggestions?

Thanks
Rick

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#15
If the outer bearing race went in freely, and there was no means provided to capture it from spinning, that would be a recipe for early failure, and perhaps of more than just the bearing.  I would take it apart and inspect where the outer race fits into its housing for signs of galling.  

John
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#16
John - I agree so I did enough disassembly to get an eyeball on the bearing.  Fortunately it is not spinning - the sleeve retainer is working.  Yesterday I ran it for 20 minutes without hearing the squeal but did notice that the cutter head pulley and belts got warm - not hot but warm to the touch.  I couldn't detect any heat at the cutter head shaft or bearing.  I let it sit for awhile and then started it back up - after a minute the squeal returned but then stopped and it ran fine for awhile.  I now think the noise is coming from the motor area - I would expect a bearing to be consistent - not come and go?  The only thing I have done on the motor side is take a little tension off the belts.  This is a three belt design.  I've got everything back together at this point but I suspect I will be revisiting this problem.
Rick

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