MODEL PL1303 13-INCH PLANER WITH 3-BLADE CUTTERHEAD Instruction Manual NEED HELP? CONTACT US! Have product questions? Need technical support? Please feel free to contact us: 1-800-232-1195 (M-F 8AM-5PM CST) TECHSUPPORT@WENPRODUCTS.COM IMPORTANT: Your new tool has been engineered and manufactured to WEN’s highest standards for dependability, ease of operation, and operator safety. When properly cared for, this product will supply you years of rugged, trouble-free performance.
CONTENTS WELCOME 3 Introduction...................................................................................................... 3 Specifications.................................................................................................... 3 SAFETY 4 General Safety Rules......................................................................................... 4 Planer Safety Warnings..................................................................................... 6 Electrical Information.
INTRODUCTION Thanks for purchasing the WEN Benchtop Planer. We know you are excited to put your tool to work, but first, please take a moment to read through the manual. Safe operation of this tool requires that you read and understand this operator’s manual and all the labels affixed to the tool. This manual provides information regarding potential safety concerns, as well as helpful assembly and operating instructions for your tool. Indicates danger, warning, or caution.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES WARNING! Read all safety warnings and all instructions. Failure to follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury. Safety is a combination of common sense, staying alert and knowing how your item works. The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless) power tool. SAVE THESE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS. WORK AREA SAFETY 1. Keep work area clean and well lit.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES WARNING! Read all safety warnings and all instructions. Failure to follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury. Safety is a combination of common sense, staying alert and knowing how your item works. The term “power tool” in the warnings refers to your mains-operated (corded) power tool or battery-operated (cordless) power tool. SAVE THESE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS. 7.
PLANER SAFETY WARNINGS WARNING! Do not let comfort or familiarity with the product replace strict adherence to product safety rules. Failure to follow the safety instructions may result in serious personal injury. PLANER SAFETY 1. Whenever adjusting or replacing any parts on planer, turn switch OFF and remove plug from power source. 10. Do not plane material shorter than 15”, narrower than 3/4”, wider than 13”, or thinner than 1/2”. 11. Never make a cut deeper than 1/8”. 2.
ELECTRICAL INFORMATION GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS In the event of a malfunction or breakdown, grounding provides the path of least resistance for an electric current and reduces the risk of electric shock. This tool is equipped with an electric cord that has an equipment grounding conductor and a grounding plug. The plug MUST be plugged into a matching outlet that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with ALL local codes and ordinances. 1. Do not modify the plug provided.
UNPACKING & PACKING LIST UNPACKING With the help of a friend or trustworthy foe, such as one of your in-laws, carefully remove the planer from the packaging and place it on a sturdy, flat surface. Make sure to take out all contents and accessories. Do not discard the packaging until everything is removed. Check the packing list below to make sure you have all of the parts and accessories.
KNOW YOUR PLANER TOOL PURPOSE Resurface boards, flatten workpieces, and much more with your WEN Thickness Planer. Refer to the diagram below to become familiarized with the parts and controls of your thickness planer.
ASSEMBLY & ADJUSTMENTS ATTACHING THE DEPTH ADJUSTMENT HANDLE 2 1. Secure the depth adjustment handle (Fig. 2 - 1) to the top of the planer using the included socket head cap screw (Fig. 2 - 2). Fig. 2 1 2. Flip the depth adjustment handle over so the socket head cap screw is covered. NOTE: Each full rotation of the depth-adjustment handle adjusts the planer’s height by 1/16”. For example, 1/4 of a rotation is 1/64”, 1/2 of a rotation is 1/32”, and 1 full rotation is 1/16”. PREPARING THE TABLES Fig.
ASSEMBLY & ADJUSTMENTS MOUNTING THE PLANER TO A WORK SURFACE Fig. 5 The planer should always be mounted to a stable, level bench or table in a well-lit area. Make sure there is plenty of room for maneuvering the workpiece through the entire cut. Neither the operator nor bystanders should stand in line with the workpiece while the tool is operating. 1.
OPERATION AVOID DAMAGE TO BLADES Fig. 7 Thickness planers are a precision woodworking machine and should be used on quality lumber only. Do not plane dirty boards; dirt and small stones are abrasive and will wear out the cutting inserts. WARNING! REMOVE NAILS AND STAPLES. Use planer to cut wood only. Avoid knots. Heavily cross-grained wood makes knots hard. Knots can come loose and jam blade.
OPERATION DEPTH OF CUT • The depth of cut depends on the width, species, hardness, moisture content, grain direction, and grain structure of the wood. • The maximum depth of cut is 1/8” for workpieces less than 6” wide, and 1/16” for workpieces wider than 6”. The wider the workpiece, the shallower the depth of cut should be. The harder the species of wood, the shallower the depth of cut should be. • The smaller the depth of cut, the better the finished surface.
OPERATION PREPARING WORK Thickness planers work best when at least one side of the lumber is flat. Use a surface planer or a jointer to create a flat surface. Twisted or severely warped boards can jam the planer and should not be used. Rip lumber in half to reduce the magnitude of warpage. Work should be fed into the planer in the same direction as the grain of the wood. Sometimes the grain will change direction in the middle of the board.
OPERATION THE DO’S AND DONT’S OF GRAIN DIRECTION re cti on of G ra in Fig. 9 Di Always plane with the grain of the wood (in the same direction as the grain). There are six sides to every board: two face grains, two side/edge grains, and two end grains. Never plane with the end grain facing upwards. Only plane side and face grains. Otherwise, the board could splinter and explode inside the planer, which could cause serious injury and damage.
MAINTENANCE REPLACING BLADES WARNING! Always turn the planer OFF and disconnect it from the power source before starting any maintenance work. Blades should always be reversed or replaced as a matched set (at the same time). WARNING! NEVER grasp the cutterhead with unprotected hands. This will result in serious injury. 1. Get the magnetic blade tool. Fig. 10 2. Adjust the rollercase to a height of about 2-1/4” (refer to the depth scale, Fig. 7 - 2). Remove the dust chute. 3.
MAINTENANCE REPLACING BLADES (CONT.) 8. Reverse or replace blade. Place it on the center of the magnetic blade tool, and carefully position the blade on the two pins on the cutterhead. Then remove the blade tool. 9. Using the star wrench, tighten the 7 bolts loosened in step 4. This will clamp the gib snugly against the blades. 10. Repeat the steps above to change the second and third blades.
MAINTENANCE CLEANING THE PLANER Keep planer clean of any wood chips, dust, dirt or debris. We strongly recommend always using a dust collection system. Make sure to clean out the planer after every use. After 10 hours of operation, the drive chains and sprockets should have wood chips, dust and old grease removed. While wearing ANSI-Z87.1-approved safety glasses, use a couple puffs of compressed air (do not exceed 50 PSI) to blow dust and chips out of the gearbox and drive chains.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE WARNING! Stop using the tool immediately if any of the following problems occur. Repairs and replacements should only be performed by an authorized technician. For any questions, please contact our customer service at 1-(800) 232-1195, M-F 8-5 CST or email us at techsupport@wenproducts.com. PROBLEM CAUSE Wrong extension cord size used. Circuit breaker keeps tripping. Drive rollers do not work, or excessively loud grinding noise. Marks on the workpiece. Dull cutting inserts.
EXPLODED VIEW & PARTS LIST 20 NOTE: Not all parts may be available for purchase. Parts and accessories that wear down over the course of normal use are not covered under the warranty.
EXPLODED VIEW & PARTS LIST No. 1_S Part No. PL1303001_S 2 K4 R6 7 8 9 PL1303-007 PL1303-008 PL1326-009 12 13 14 15 16 17 18_S K19 20 21 R22 23 24 25 R26_S R28 29 30 31 33 34 35 36 37 PL1303018ASM PL1326-020 PL1326-021 PL1326-025 PL13260R26ASM Description Qty. No. Top Cover Assembly 1 38 12 39_S Socket Head Cap Scew, M6x8 Elevation Nut Rollercase Left Cover Right Cover Knob Self-Tapping Screw, M3-1.
EXPLODED VIEW & PARTS LIST No. Part No. 78 81_S PL1326081ASM 87 88 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 102_S PL1326-100 PL1326102ASM 113 115 116 117 118 119 121 128 129 133 134 M135 136 137 140 141 22 PL1326-119 Description Qty. Hex Socket Button 13 Screw M5-0.
WARRANTY STATEMENT WEN Products is committed to building tools that are dependable for years. Our warranties are consistent with this commitment and our dedication to quality. LIMITED WARRANTY OF WEN PRODUCTS FOR HOME USE GREAT LAKES TECHNOLOGIES, LLC (“Seller”) warrants to the original purchaser only, that all WEN consumer power tools will be free from defects in material or workmanship during personal use for a period of two (2) years used for professional or commercial use.
THANKS FOR REMEMBERING V. 2021.11.
