Trouble removing set screws to change the blades in a Craftsman 13'' planer.

I usually rest a straight edge, flat hardwood across the drum.

Rotate the drum by hand/pencil tip, till the blade is top dead center..
It should lift the hardwood 1mm.
Tighten the fixings.

Rotate and repeat for remaining blades.

as with any planer you need an alinement Jig this device "Holds" the blade at proper level to allow you free hand to tighten set screws if not it's lots of "lets try it here" sort of stuff

hi if you look at the drum where the blades fit you should see the screws holding the clamps on for the blades just slaken off screws and slide out blades.

You can find the manual online at:

http://www.managemylife.com/mmh/owner_manuals/24889/CRAFTSMAN-Planer-L0403001?brand_name_search=315173700+CRAFTSMAN

Cheers,

DIYPro

You need to remove the right side cover, indicut knob, crank, and cutterlock knob. Remove the top cap (4 screws) crank the motor asssembly to the top exposing two hidden screws in side wall, remove those and the two at the top and remove sidewall. . Tension adjustemnt screw is right near the motor pulley. Loosen it and push motor inward while sliding belt over pulleys. It is a little tough getting the belt in between the pulley and main carriage. If you attempt to put the belt on one pulley at a time, you are working a diagonal, which is longer that the inline dimension. Apply a drop of liquid dish detergent to each pulley for lubrication. Start the edge of the belt onto both pulleys; making sure the splines & grooves are aligned on both pulleys. Slowly work the belt on, 32nd of an inch at a time one pulley, then the other. Wash the soap off when you are done'

If it is anything like my 12 1/2 inch mastercraft planer you will need to remove the dust guide first, and then the drum with the blades will be visible. To remove the blades you need to loosen the bolts with the appropritate sized crecent wrench. Seems to be the only part of my planer that does not require an allen wrench actually.

If the blades are hard to remove, you will have to remove the blade clamp completely in order to clean everything up. Your blades are probably gummed up from use. If you have a small torch available, you may want to try heating it up a little, this will release the blade (if you are using HSS blades). Be carefull not to melt any plastic in the surrounding areas. If you are using the micro carbide blades you should be able to press the blades out from the side using a scrap piece of wood without removing the screws (just loosen). Use mineral spirits or lacquer thinner or alcohol to clean all surfaces so your new blades will seat properly.

1. Unplug from mains and turn planer upside down.
2. Using Allen key (stored in heel of planer) slacken off the 2 sets of 3 screws that clamp the blade in place. One 360 degree turn should be enough
3. Use piece of wood or flat screwdriver blade to slide old blade out the side of the blade track.
4. Rake any dirt out of the blade track with screwdriver blade.
5. Slide in new blades, check it is correctly centred and tighten screws. Take care not to over-tighten.
6. Repeat with second blade.
7. Carefully rotate blade carrier by hand checking that blades are parallel to the sole of the plane.
8. If blades are out of true you will need to remove them again, take off the blade clamping plates and adjust the blade locating plate, which is held in place by 2 further Allen screws.

Pictures below from Bosch manual for further information

I had the same problem...sometimes you have to take the smallest amount off (1/64th) and it might work, otherwise your blades are probably dull. Try to feed the boards through the planer towards the sides, not just the center so they wear evenly across the length of the blades. They wear out very quickly, which makes this planer very frustrating. If you take the top cover off and inspect them, you'll probably see nicks in them and it's time to replace or rotate them. Each blade has two sides you can remove all the screws using the T-handle wrench from the top cover and flip them. Also, as the blades begin to wear, the planer will become louder and louder. That's another way to tell. When you install new blades notice how much quieter it is when you plane boards.

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this might help you