Predictive maintenance on staight blades for the jointer and planer

[Brian Runau]

Currently I go by feel, and sound on my blades for when it is time to replace them or when there are noticeable nicks in the blade(s). Thinking about whether there is a way to track wear by board feet, no idea based on variation of board width, without literally writing everything down and logging it or keeping track of how many times I empty my dust collect and going by this.

Anyone track wear for predictive maintenance that is not a business shop?

Thanks.

Brian

[Richard Coers]

You would have to develop a wear graph on many different species unless you don't use more than one species.

[Ron Selzer]

I change based on looking at the knife for visible dulling, nicks, and how it cuts. Planer same way. worked for over 40 yrs that way, too old to change now.
Ron

[William Hodge]

Some things you change on an as needed basis, other things get changed whether they need it or not.

truck oil
jointer knives
calendar pages
computer passwords
air filter
underwear
planer knives
clocks for daylight savings time
relationship status on Facebook
my mind
blinker fluid
sand paper on my sander

[Bill Dufour]

You could put an hour gauge on the machines and use that. Modern ones are vibration sensing so no need to cut and splice the main motor wiring. I think they would even work on a dust collector for filter changes.
Bill D.

[Mel Fulks]

Buy top quality knives. M2 and T1 are good . Send stuff through the planer at high speed . Too many think slow feed saves sharp.NO !
Avoid venders who say their cheap knives have “ same hardness” as M2 There is no viagra for steel, Look at the grain and send the right end through. Sometimes it’s hard to tell, check direction with pocket knife if needed . When material is really dicey it’s ok to try
slower speed.

[Richard Coers]

Slower feed won't save sharpness, but it will certainly produce a better surface with more cuts per inch and require less sanding latter.

[Mel Fulks]

Slower feed won't save sharpness, but it will certainly produce a better surface with more cuts per inch and require less sanding latter.

Right On ! Thanks ,Richard ! I gave my editor the day off !

[Andrew Hughes]

Here’s my advice regarding jointer knives.
It’s not a machine for cleaning dirty wood.
Instead of taking many many small passes try taking one bigger bite. Saves wear on knives
I change my knives when the feed pressure get noticeably higher. Same goes with a hand plane when it take more muscle to push time to sharpen.
Good Luck