This manual has been prepared for the owner and operators of a Powermatic Model 15 Planer.
Its purpose, aside from machine operation, is to promote safety through the use of accepted
correct operating and maintenance procedures. Completely read the safety and maintenance
instructions before operating or servicing the machine. To obtain maximum life and efficiency
from your planer, and to aid in using the machine safely, read this manual thoroughly and follow
all instructions carefully.
Warranty & Service
The JET Group warrants every product it sells. If one of our tools needs service or repair, one of our Authorized Repair Stations located throughout the United States can give you quick service.
In most cases, any one of these JET Group Repair Stations can authorize warranty repair, assist you in
obtaining parts, or perform routine maintenance and major repair on your JET, Performax or Powermatic
tools.
For the name of an Authorized Repair Station in your area, please call 1-800-274-6848.
More Information
Remember, the JET Group is consistently adding new products to the line. For complete, up-to-date product
information, check with your local JET Group distributor.
JET Group Warranty
The JET Group (including Performax and Powermatic brands) makes every effort to assure that its products
meet high quality and durability standards and warrants to the original retail consumer/purchaser of our
products that each product be free from defects in materials and workmanship as follow: 1 YEAR LIMITED
WARRANTY ON ALL PRODUCTS UNLESS SPECIFIED OTHERWISE. This Warranty does not apply to
defects due directly or indirectly to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, normal wear-and-tear, repair or
alterations outside our facilities, or to a lack of maintenance.
THE JET GROUP LIMITS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES TO THE PERIOD SPECIFIED ABOVE, FROM THE
DATE THE PRODUCT WAS PURCHASED AT RETAIL. EXCEPT AS STATED HEREIN, ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OR MERCHANTIBILITY AND FITNESS ARE EXCLUDED. SOME STATES DO NOT
ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG THE IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION
MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THE JET GROUP SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR DEATH, INJURIES
TO PERSONS OR PROPERTY, OR FOR INCIDENTAL, CONTINGENT, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OF OUR PRODUCTS. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE
EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE
LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned for examination, postage prepaid, to
an Authorized Repair Station designated by our office. Proof of purchase date and an explanation of the
complaint must accompany the merchandise. If our inspection discloses a defect, we will either repair or
replace the product, or refund the purchase price if we cannot readily and quickly provide a repair or replacement, if you are willing to accept a refund. We will return repaired product or replacement at JET's expense,
but if it is determined there is no defect, or that the defect resulted from causes not within the scope of JET's
warranty, then the user must bear the cost of storing and returning the product. This warranty gives you
specific legal rights; you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
The JET Group sells through distributors only. Members of the JET Group reserve the right to effect at any
time, without prior notice, those alterations to parts, fittings, and accessory equipment which they may deem
necessary for any reason whatsoever.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Safety:
General Rules ........................................................................................................................... 4
Specific Rules ........................................................................................................................... 5
Features ............................................................................................................................................ 6
As with all power tools there is a certain amount of
hazard involved with the operation and use of the
tool. Use the tool with the respect and caution demanded where safety precautions are concerned.
This will considerably lessen the possibility of personal injury. When normal safety precautions are
overlooked or completely ignored, personal injury
to the operator can result.
KNOW YOUR TOOL. Read the owners manual
carefully. Learn the machine's applications and
limitations, as well as the specific potential hazards peculiar to it.
KEEP GUARDS IN PLACE and maintained in
working order.
GROUND ALL TOOLS. If machine is equipped
with three-prong plug, it should be plugged into a
three-hole electrical receptacle. If an adapter is
used to accommodate a two-prong receptacle, the
adapter plug must be attached to a known ground.
Never remove the third prong.
USE SAFETY GLASSES. Also use face or dust
mask if cutting operation is dusty.
SECURE WORK. Use clamps or a vise to hold
work when practical. Its safer than using your hand
and frees both hands to operate tool.
DONT OVERREACH. Keep your proper footing
and balance at all times.
MAINTAIN TOOLS IN TOP CONDITION. Keep
tools sharp and clean for best and safest performance. Follow instructions for lubricating and
changing accessories.
DISCONNECT TOOL before servicing and when
changing accessories.
USE RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES. Consult
the owners manual for recommended accessories.
The use of improper accessories may cause hazards.
AVOID ACCIDENTAL STARTING. Make sure
switch is in OFF position before plugging in cord.
REMOVE ADJUSTING KEYS AND WRENCHES.
Form habit of checking to see that keys and adjusting wrenches are removed from tool before
turning it on.
KEEP WORK AREA CLEAN. Cluttered areas and
benches invite accidents.
AVOID DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT. Dont use
power tools in damp or wet locations, or expose
them to rain. Keep work area well lighted.
KEEP CHILDREN AND VISITORS AWAY. All children and visitors should be kept a safe distance
from work area.
MAKE WORKSHOP CHILDPROOF - with padlocks, master switches, or by removing starter
keys.
DONT FORCE TOOL. It will do the job better and
be safer at the rate for which it was designed. Do
not make cuts requiring more power than is available on the machine.
USE RIGHT TOOL. Dont force machine or attachment to do a job it was not designed for.
WEAR PROPER APPAREL. Do not wear loose
clothing, gloves, neckties, or jewelry that can get
caught in moving parts. Nonslip footwear is recommended. Wear protective hair covering to contain long hair.
4
NEVER STAND ON TOOL. Serious injury could
occur if the tool is tipped or if the cutting tool is
accidentally contacted.
GIVE YOUR WORK YOUR UNDIVIDED ATTENTION. Looking around, carrying on a conversa-
tion, and "horse play" are careless acts that can
result in serious injury.
CHECK DAMAGED PARTS. Before further use
of the tool, a guard or other part that is damaged
should be carefully checked to ensure that it will
operate properly and perform its intended function
- check for alignment of moving parts, binding of
moving parts, breakage of parts, mounting, and
any other conditions that may affect its operation.
A guard or other part that is damaged should be
properly repaired or replaced.
NEVER LEAVE TOOL RUNNING UNATTENDED.
TURN POWER OFF. Dont leave tool until it comes
to a complete stop.
DRUGS, ALCOHOL, MEDICATION. Do not operate tool while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or any medication.
ADDITIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS. Some dust
created by power sanding, sawing, grinding, drilling and other construction activities contains
chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or
other reproductive harm. Some examples of these
chemicals are:
* Lead from lead-based paint.
* Crystalline silica from bricks and cement and
other masonry products.
* Arsenic and chromium from chemically-treated
lumber.
Your risk from these exposures varies, depending
on how often you do this type of work. To reduce
your exposure to these chemicals, work in a wellventilated area, and work with approved safety
equipment, such as those dust masks that are
specifically designed to filter out microscopic particles.
SAFETY: Specific Rules
REMOVE SHAVINGS only with the power "off".
Use a brush, not hands, to clear chips and shavings.
CHECK that the switch is in "off" position before
plugging in power cord.
BEFORE MOVING table upward or downward,
loosen locking knobs. After choosing proper position, tighten locking knobs.
BE SURE the knives of cutterhead are correct and
all hex screws are secured tightly before use.
KEEP CUTTERHEAD SHARP and free of all rust
and pitch.
CHECK MATERIAL for loose knots, nails and
other defects.
SAFETY: Decal Instruction
KEEP HANDS AWAY from the feed rolls and
cutterhead.
DO NOT OPERATE machine while the gear cover
is open.
5
FEATURES: Model 15 Planer
SPECIFICATIONS
Table size........................................................................................ 15" x 19-7/8"
Remove the wood container surrounding the planer
and the boards holding it to the skid.
CAUTION: Care must be taken when clean-
ing the cutterhead. Knives are extremely sharp
and can cause injury if not handled properly!
Check for damage and ensure all parts are intact.
Any damage should be reported immediately to
your distributor and shipping agent. Before assembling, read the manual thoroughly, familiarizing
yourself with correct assembly and maintenance
procedures and proper safety precautions.
Three smaller bags are also included within
the main hardware bag:
Bag #2 (for mounting roller extensions)
contains (6) 3/8" hex hd. screws,
(6) flat washers, (6) setscrews.
STOCK RETURN ROLLERS
1.Locate hardware bag #3.
2.Attach worm gear box (A) to top right front
corner of machine with three soc. hd. screws, using the supplied Allen wrench. See Figure 1.
3.Attach roller bracket (B) to top right rear of
machine with three soc. hd. screws.
4.Slide end of stock return roller (C) into worm
gear box (A), and slide other end into a roller
bracket (D). Then mount the roller bracket (D) to
top left front of machine with three soc. hd. screws.
5.Slide second roller (E) into roller bracket, slide
remaining bracket on the other end, and mount
remaining bracket onto the top left rear of machine
with three soc. hd. screws.
Bag #3 (for mounting stock return rollers and
handwheel)
contains (12) socket head bolts, (1) key,
(1) nut, (1) washer, (1) direction label
Bag #4 (for mounting dust hood)
contains (3) socket head cap screws,
(3) flat washers, (3) pan head screws, and
(3) lock washers
INSTALLATION AND ASSEMBLY
Carefully slide the planer off the skid onto the floor
using assistants or material handling equipment.
Use a soft cloth moistened with kerosene to remove the protective coating from the table, bed
rolls, feed rolls, cutterhead, lifting handles, motor
pulley and other loose items packed with the machine. DO NOT use acetone, gasoline or lacquer
thinner - these will damaged painted surfaces. To
prevent rust, wax the table surface with paste wax.
FIGURE 1
MOUNTING HANDWHEEL
1.Peel off paper backing from direction label and
press label firmly onto center of handwheel hub
(F), Figure 2.
2.Place the key into the key slot of the shaft (G)
and slide the handwheel hub onto the shaft, aligning the slot with the key.
3.Place washer and nut onto shaft and tighten.
4.Screw in the handle and tighten with 14mm
wrench.
7
FIGURE 2
KNIFE SETTING GAUGE ASSEMBLY
1.Slide the stands (H) onto the ends of the rod
(J) and secure with E-rings, as shown in Figure 3.
2.Knife setting operation with be detailed later.
To help prevent snipe, you should compensate by
adjusting the infeed extension assembly, so that
its middle roller just touches the straight edge.
6.When satisfied, tighten all hex screws (L).
FIGURE 4
DUST HOOD INSTALLATION
FIGURE 3
INFEED & OUTFEED EXTENSIONS
1.Locate Bag #2, and the infeed and outfeed
roller extension assemblies.
2.Install the six set screws (K) into the roller
extension assemblies so that they are flush with
the surface that faces the machine, Figure 4.
3.Attach each roller extension assy. to machine
using three 3/8" hex. hd. screws and washers (L),
with a 12mm wrench.
4.To adjust extension assemblies, place a
straight edge approximately 4' long through the
machine, so that it lies across the table and both
extension assemblies.
5.Use the set screws (K) and hex screws (L) to
adjust so that when the straight edge is resting on
the rollers, there is no space between the straight
edge and the tables nor does the straight edge lie
on the tables with the rollers lower on each end.
TIP: The Model 15 Planer has no pressure bar
between the cutterhead and the outfeed table roller.
1.Locate Bag #4.
2.Mount the dust hood to the rear of the machine with three soc. hd. cap screws with flat washers (M) in the bottom holes, and three pan head
screws with lock washers (N) in the top holes. See
Figure 5.
FIGURE 5
ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
WARNING: All electrical connections must
be done by a qualified electrician. Failure to make
proper connections may cause damage to the
machine and/or electrical shock to the operator.
1.The Model 15 planer is designed to run on
single phase 230 volt power only. Be sure that
this type of power is available to your machine.
2.The power cable will need to either be fitted
with a 230 volt plug (not supplied) or be hard wired
8
directly to the source through a disconnect box.
Be sure to pay attention to wire coding when hooking up. A 230 volt plug is available from any electrical supply outlet.
3.This machine must be properly grounded.
Failure to do this may result in shock to the operator.
4.Use of an extension cord is not recommended. However, if it is necessary to use one,
keep in mind that the planer has a three horsepower motor. An extension cord will need to be of
sufficient size for the amperage drawn and the distance between the machine and the power source.
ADJUSTMENTS
CAUTION: All adjustments must be made
with the power off and the machine disconnected
from the power source!
2.Pull speed control lever out half way to disengage feed rollers.
3.Pull speed control lever out fully for 16 feet
per minute.
FIGURE 7
DEPTH OF CUT
1.Depth of cut is controlled by raising or lowering the tables. This is done by using the handwheel
(P), Figure 6.
2.Loosen the two lock knobs (R) on the left side
of machine.
3.Raise or lower table to desired position.
4.Re-tighten lock knobs (R) before starting machine.
5.Maximum depth of cut is 1/8". A limiter (S) is
provided to limit the depth of cut on full width planing from 3/16" to 1/8".
ADJUSTING BELT TENSION
1.Disconnect machine from power source.
2.Remove belt cover from machine.
3.Remove the rear door of machine, and loosen
two nuts (U), Figure 8.
4.Pry up on motor plate (V) until correct belt
tension is achieved. Correct tension is obtained
when there is approximately 1/4" deflection in the
center span of the belts using light finger pressure.
5.Re-tighten the two nuts and replace door.
FIGURE 6
FEED RATE ADJUSTMENT
The Model 15 is equipped with selectable feed
speed rollers that feed stock at 16 and 20 feet per
minute. Always change speeds while the ma-
chine is running.
To adjust speed, Figure 7:
1.Push speed control lever in fully for 20 feet
per minute.
FIGURE 8
KNIFE ADJUSTMENT
CAUTION: Any adjustment or replacement
of knives should be done to all three knives at the
same time. Failure to do this may result in an outof-balance cutterhead which will lead to bearing
failure. Use caution when placing hands near
knife blades - they are extremely sharp and can
cause severe cuts!
9
1.Disconnect machine from power source.
2.Slightly loosen the five hex head screws (A).
See Figures 9 & 10.
3.Carefully place knife setting gauge (B) on
cutterhead. When properly adjusted, the knife
edge should just contact the bottom of the center
protrusion.
4.With a block of scrap wood (to protect fingers
and the knife), push knife into cutterhead to where
it needs to be.
5.Tighten all five hex head screws (A) firmly.
WARNING: All knife locking screws must be
firmly seated before turning on the machine. Failure to heed this could cause knife ejection resulting in severe injury or death!
ing straight out. A piece of scrap wood will aid
removal.
4.Insert new blade into cutterhead.
5.Tighten five hex head screws (A). Check for
proper height using knife setting gauge and adjust
if necessary.
The infeed roller (B) and outfeed roller (E), Figure
11, are those parts of your planer that feed the
stock while it is being planed. The infeed roller
and the outfeed roller are under spring tension and
this tension must be sufficient to feed the stock
uniformly through the planer without slipping but
should not be so tight that it causes damage to the
boards. The tension should be equal at both ends
of each roller.
FIGURE 9
FIGURE 10
KNIFE REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
1.Disconnect machine from power source.
2.To remove knife, loosen the five hex head
screws (A), Figure 10.
3.Carefully remove knife from cutterhead by lift-
10
FIGURE 11
ANTI-KICKBACK FINGERS
Anti-kickback fingers (A, Figure 11) are provided
to prevent stock from being thrown from the machine. These fingers operate by gravity and must
be inspected before each day's use for pitch or
gum buildup. The fingers must operate freely and
move independently for correct operation.
FEED ROLL SPRING TENSION
The infeed and outfeed rollers are under spring
tension sufficient to feed the stock uniformly
through the planer without slipping. If spring tension is too loose, stock will not feed uniformly. If
spring tension is too tight, it will cause damage to
the stock. Tension should be equally adjusted at
both ends of the roller.
1.To adjust spring tension of the infeed roller,
turn screw (C) clockwise to increase tension and
counterclockwise to decrease tension. Adjust
equally on both ends of the roller. See Figure 12.
2.To adjust spring tension of the outfeed roller,
turn screw (D) clockwise to increase tension and
counterclockwise to decrease tension. Adjust
equally on both ends of the roller.
1.Disconnect the machine from power source.
2.Make sure knives are adjusted properly (See
"KNIFE ADJUSTMENT").
3.Place gauge block (D) on the table directly
beneath the cutterhead (E) as shown in Figure 14.
4.Place a .04" feeler gauge (F) on top of the
gauge block and raise table until the feeler gauge
just touches the knife when the knife is at its lowest point. Do not move the table any further until
the roller has been adjusted.
5.Move the gauge block (D) under one end of
the outfeed roller, Figure 15. The bottom of the
outfeed roller should just touch the top of the gauge
block.
6.If an adjustment is necessary, loosen locknut
(G) and turn screw (H) until the outfeed roller just
touches the gauge block.
7.Tighten locknut (G). Check and adjust the
opposite end of the outfeed roller by following steps
1-7.
FIGURE 12
ADJUSTING OUTFEED ROLLER
The outfeed roller, chipbreaker, and table rolls all
use a gauge block of hardwood for adjustment.
This gauge can be fashioned by following the dimensions given in Figure 13.
FIGURE 14
FIGURE 13
The outfeed roller is set at the factory to be .04"
below the cutting circle. To check and adjust the
outfeed roller, proceed as follows:
FIGURE 15
11
ADJUSTING CHIPBREAKER
ADJUSTING TABLE ROLLERS
The chipbreaker is located just in front of the
cutterhead. It raises as stock is fed through and
"breaks" or "curls" the chips. The bottom of the
chipbreaker must be parallel to the knives and must
be set .04" below the cutting circle.
To adjust the chipbreaker:
1.Disconnect machine from power source.
2.Make sure the knives are properly adjusted.
3.Place the gauge block (D) on the table directly
beneath the cutterhead (see Figure 14). Place a
.04" feeler gauge (F) on top of the gauge block
and raise or lower the table until the knife just
touches the feeler gauge when the knife is at its
lowest point. Do not move the table until the
chipbreaker has been adjusted.
4.Move the gauge block (D) beneath the
chipbreaker (J) as shown in Figure 16. The bottom of the chipbreaker should just touch the top of
the gauge block.
5.If an adjustment is necessary, loosen nuts (K)
and turn screws (L) until the bottom of the
chipbreaker just touches the gauge block, Figure
17. Re-tighten nuts (K)
6.Check opposite end of chipbreaker in the
same manner.
The Model 15 has two table rollers which aid in
feeding the stock by reducing friction and turn as
the stock is fed through the planer. It is not possible to give the exact height setting of the table
rolls because each type of wood behaves differently. As a general rule, however, when planing
rough stock the table rollers should be set high
and when planing smooth stock the table rollers
should be set low. Height should be .005" to .015".
The table rollers are factory set for average planing and parallel to the table surface. (NOTE: Table
rollers must always be parallel to the table.)To adjust the table rollers higher or lower:
1.Disconnect machine from power source.
2.Lay a straight edge across both rollers as
shown in Figure 18.
3.Loosen set screws (M). Raise or lower roller
by turning screws (N). Rollers must be adjusted
on the opposite end of the table in the same manner.
4.Re-tighten set screws (M).
12
FIGURE 16
FIGURE 17
FIGURE 18
ADJUSTING CUTTING HEAD
PARALLEL TO TABLE
The table is set parallel to the cutterhead at the
factory and no further adjustment should be necessary. However, if the machine is planing a taper,
first check to see that the knives are set properly
in the cutterhead. Then check to see that the table
is set parallel to the cutterhead as follows:
1.Disconnect machine from the power source.
2.Place gauge block (D) directly under front
edge of head casting as shown in Figure 19. Raise
table until front edge of head casting just touches
the gauge block.
3.Move gauge block to opposite end of table.
Distance from table to edge of head casting should
be the same.
4.Repeat steps 2 and 3 on outfeed end of table.
FIGURE 19
5.If head casting is not parallel to table, adjustments will be made underneath the table as shown
in Figure 20.
6.Remove bolt (P) and loosen bolt (R), which
will allow movement of the idler sprocket assembly (S) far enough to release tension on the chain.
7.Remove chain from sprocket on the end of
the table that must be adjusted.
8.Turn sprocket by hand to bring corner into
adjustment with the other three corners.
IMPORTANT: This adjustment is very sensitive
and it should not be necessary to turn the sprocket
more than one or two teeth.
9.Turning the sprocket clockwise will decrease
the distance between the table and the head casting. Counterclockwise movement will increase the
distance.
10. After checking with the gauge block to make
sure the adjustments are correct, place chain back
on sprocket, re-tension idler sprocket, replace bolt
(P) and tighten bolt (R).
MAINTENANCE
Buildup of sawdust and other debris can cause your
machine to plane inaccurately. Periodic cleaning
is not only recommended, but mandatory for accurate planing.
Close fitting parts such as the table locking rods
and the planer cutterhead slot should be cleaned
with a brush and freed from clinging foreign matter and then slightly dampened with oil.
Remove resin and other accumulations from feed
rolls and table with a non-flammable solvent.
LUBRICATION
The gear box oil should be changed once a year.
The gear box drain plug (T) is shown in Figure 21.
Refill the gear box with 60-90 weight gear oil
through the fill hole (U).
FIGURE 21
The four table-raising screws (V) should be lubricated as required using a common grease.
FIGURE 20
The infeed and outfeed table rollers should be lubricated with motor oil.
13
PARTS LIST: Base Assembly (15 Planer)
NO. PART NO. DESCRIPTION
16284703 Base
26284704 Screw, Set M10-1.5P-10
36284705 Column, Crank Case
46284706 Column
56284707 Screw, Lead
66284708 Crank, Lead Screw
76284709 Nut, Lead
86284710 Bushing
96284711Ring, Internal Retaining, RTW 38
106284712 Key, 4-4-10
116284713 Gear
126284714 Ring, Retaining, STW 10
136284715 Bearing
146284716 Ring, Internal Retaining, RTW 35
To order parts or reach our service department, please call our toll free number between 8:00 A.M. and
4:30 P.M. (CST), Monday through Friday. Having the Model Number and Serial Number of your machine
available when you call will allow us to serve you quickly and accurately. Locating the EDP number of the
part(s) required from your parts manual will also expedite your order.
Phone: (800) 248-0144
Fax: (800) 274-6840
If you are calling from Canada, please call 800-238-4746