New Shelix cutter head

[Joseph Fenske]

I am replacing the straight knives on my jointer with a shelix cutter. I noticed some holes drilled into the new shaft, I'm assuming the holes are to ensure the shaft is balanced. Is this thinking correct?

Thanks,

Joe

[Cary Falk]

That would be my guess. It looks like it was off by quite a bit. I don't have anything like that on my 8" byrd, 15" Grizzly, or the 8" Grizzly that I just put in a friends jointer.

[Robert Chapman]

That looks a little strange to me. I do not have that on either of the two Sheilx cutter heads that I use. I would call the company and ask about it.

[Jesse Busenitz]

I believe that is correct. I'm pretty sure I have a couple holes on my replacement head as well.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Drilling holes in metal is a method of balancing rotating devices used all the time. You will often see it used on the wheels of bandsaws.

[Peter Quinn]

Yes, holes are for dynamic balancing. Just like tires on your car, except they subtract weight from the high points rather than adding weight. Pretty much every head that spins on a shaft has this somewhere. All my shaper heads do, both my Byrd heads to. Not a flaw, shows they do it right.

[brian zawatsky]

+1 on the balancing. My shelix head has same. Also the tool holders on the $300,000 CNC router at work are precision balanced in the same manner, so I certainly would t worry about it. I'd be more concerned if there were no balancing marks.

[Joseph Fenske]

I really appreciate all the responses. The more I thought about it, the more I agree that the holes are a good thing. I dropped the shelix head off at the machine shop to have the bearing pressed on. Should be able to pick it up after work today.