A surface planer used for generating a smooth and flat surface on a piece of timber, often starting from warped or rough-sawn timber. It is often followed in use by a thickness planer which produces a parallel surface on the opposite face of the board. Note - in the USA a surface planer is often called a jointer - there the word 'planer' confusingly often refers to a thickness planer

This planer has a maximum cutting width of 200mm and the overall table length is approx. 800mm

The blades for this machine are very expensive and time consuming to sharpen (we have to take them to an external workshop with paid access) - please do not do anything that could damage the cutting edges (see below). If you do notice damage to the blades, please notify the maintainers at the earliest opportunity

Specific rules for this machine:

Do not adjust the setting of the blades within the cutter head or the height of the outfeed table - setting these is a difficult and time consuming task carried out by the maintainers during a blade change
Adjusting the fence angle (to produce bevelled edges) is fine, but please set accurately back to 90° afterwards
Do not use any reclaimed wood (in particular pallet wood) on this machine - even tiny fragments of nails, screws or staples left in the wood will chip the blades
Try not to plane bark - it usually contains traces of soil or grit which wear the teeth quickly. Use a handheld electric planer to remove the bulk of any bark before taking to the planer
If your hands need to go anywhere near the blade (particularly when face-planing thin stock) always use a push stick or preferably, a pair of planer paddles
Always use the planer with the guard installed

This machine requires training and. To arrange training, ask in the 'lhs-induction-requests' channel of our Discord Server

For beginners better to start with Triton Thickness Planer [1] and get familiar with wood working.

Information for Maintainers

This is a Long Term Loan from Toby Molyneux

Risk Assessment - Wood Planers

Surface Planer (Erbauer ERB052BTE)
Sub-category	Woodworking
Status	Good working order
Last updated	2 September 2024 07:40:41
Training requirement	yes
Training link	lhs-induction-requests channel
ACnode	no
Origin	Long-Term Loan
Location	Wood shop
Maintainers	Woodshop team

This risk assessment is intended to provide guidance on the risk associated with the above equipment and activities in normal use. Please also check general risk assessments for the space as a whole. Any discrepancies, errors or concerns should be raised with the document maintainers or trustees - do not edit this assessment directly. For responsible persons and last update, see 'version log' of the assessment page.

Activity

Use of handheld or stationary wood planing equipment such as handheld planers, bench planers (aka jointers) or thickness planers

Signage

Understanding Risk Rating

LOW - Ensure current control measures are in place and continue with activity

MED - Control measures may be adequate, co-supervision is recommended

HIGH - Do not undertake activity without further consultation with area specialists

Risk Assessment

Identify Hazards	Who May be Harmed and How	Severity	Control Measures	Likelihood	Risk Rating
Incompetent user	User, bystander	HIGH	Members must not use tools that they are not competent to use. Members must challenge use that they believe is dangerous. Members must read the user manual for this tool. Members must read the risk assessment before using a tool. Members will be advised during induction which tools they will need supervision or an induction to use. Only authorised members will complete maintenance and calibration tasks.	LOW	MED
Contact with rotary knives	User	HIGH	Do not put hands within 10cm of blade. Do not push workpiece over blade with hands. Use a push block to push workpiece over cutting area. Use guard to cover unused cutting area. Use guard to cover entire cutting area when thicknesser is being used. Do not insert hands into thicknesser when machine is plugged in. Planer should be turned off immediately after use.	MEDIUM	MED
Drawing in (being pulled into the drum)	User	HIGH	User of the thicknesser/planer should not wear gloves, ties, scarves, or other long flowy clothing that could get pulled into the blade. Do not move hands past the blade. Do not use the machine on short stock.	LOW	MED
Dust (inhalation, fire, explosion)	User, bystander	MEDIUM	Stationary machines must be used with the workshop dust extractor. An extraction hose must be attached to the machine’s extraction hood, which must be positioned appropriately for use with the thicknesser or planer. Maintenance must include the cleaning of dust from within the unit housing where accessible. Check the extraction hood periodically for blockages. A respirator or mask should be used whilst operating this tool for prolonged periods.	LOW	LOW
Noise	User, bystander	MEDIUM	Ear protection is advised.	LOW	LOW
Flying splinters	User, bystander	HIGH	Eye protection must be worn In the workshop. Only cut wood, ensuring the workpiece is free from nails, screws or other objects.	LOW	MED
Lifting heavy object	User	MEDIUM	The machine must be lifted into a stable position on the working area using correct manual handling procedures.	LOW	LOW
Electrocution	User, bystander	HIGH	Do not use if any damage to plug, cables, or machine.	LOW	MED

Surface Planer (Erbauer ERB052BTE)