On Jun 25, 8:05*am, Jack Stein wrote:
Leon wrote:
"PyroHog" wrote in message
...
Although there may be those that don't consider a Jet JWP-16os to be
worthy of upgrading to a helical cutter-head, I really wanted a moving-
head planer so I could setup fixed infeed and outfeed tables to better
handle long boards by myself. *It works very well for me.

That said, I've wished it had a helical head since I got it, and just
when it's due for a knifing; SWMBO says I can have a Byrd Shelix my
birthday present. *Woo Hoo !!!

Byrd will mount a new bearing on the pulley-end and supply a new
bearing for the transmission-end. *I've never torn one apart before
and replacing the cutter head is not covered in the owners manual.

Will I need anything special, like maybe having to press the bearing
on, for the transmission-end ?

Thanks in advance for any shared experiences.

Something to consider... *I recall reading something about this in the past.
These type cutters tend to require more hp because of the relative constant
contact with the wood as opposed to the straight knife cutters. *Your
mileage may vary.

I've been seriously considering buying a Griz with a spiral cutter head.
* I would think only a fraction of the surface would be cutting since
the head is made up of lots of small cutters in a circular spiral, so it
would seem LESS hp would be required than from a 15" knife contacting
all at once?

I don't think that's a good assumption at all. The same work is being
done.

Anyway, the main reasons I want one is it handles wild grain better, but
also makes a lot less noise. *I don't care much about the noise part but
I figure the reason it makes less noise is because it cuts more
efficiently, ie, needs less HP due to just one small cutter in contact
at a time.

I would expect knives to be a lot more expensive, though.