My tapered shafts were so stuck in the bearings, from having not been removed in years, that when I recently tried to remove them (carefully, and with WD-40), I inadvertently bent the side wall frames outward a bit. Now, the straight shaft for the gang rip saw blades doesn't match up properly. Any suggestions to square them up again?
I bought this machine from an estate sale 6 months or so ago and was wondering how hard it was going to be to replace the straight knife set-up with the helical head. Thanks for keeping this video on your site. I've learned to enjoy the 718 and with a little bit of modes (rubber grommets on the hand crank for one). My only complaint is chip collection. Does the helical head help with this?
Hello Bruce, Thank you for contacting us. It should be straightforward. I would contact Woodmaster for help if you have any questions. Those guys are great at supporting their customers. The helical head does help with dust collection. Because it is producing smaller chips, it makes it easier for the dust collector to pull them through. Even with a helical head, however, it still takes a lot of CFM to keep it clear. Keep your duct run as short as possible. I have found a huge difference between using a 20 foot 4" flex hose run to this machine vs. using a much shorter 6" hard pipe, reduced to 4" right at the tool. If you have any other questions, please chat, email, or call Customer Service. Sincerely, Paul Wood Workers Guild of America Video Membership
I have owned the 718 for several years and I agree it is the best for a combination tool. I don't use the sanding function as much as the planner function. If I were in the market for a planner I would definitely go with the Woodmaster 718.
I purchased a pre-owned Woodmaster 718 and I love it. I've even gotten a custom knife made to make a particular molding profile. This is a wonderful introduction to changing over this machine and I'm glad that other people are getting exposed to a great product and wonderful company. BTW all Woodmasters are made in the USA!
Hi Bob, I don't consider the drum sanding capability to be the strong suit of this machine, but I haven't had problems with burning. I don't push it very hard in drum sanding mode but I think it does fine for what I ask it to do. If I required a lot from a drum sander I would get a different unit, and not a multi-function machine. Also, in my experience, the customer service at WM has been absolutely outstanding.
Can anyone advise me on how to remove the belts? I was able to do it on my 718 but it was way more difficult than it should be. I basically had to pry it off using the wedge tool that comes with a drill press to remove the belts, only with a drill press, there is a tension loosener.
Hello. There should be enough flex in the belts to remove them without a tool. Just apply hand pressure to move the belt off the pulley as you rotate. If it is hard to remove then you probably have the tension set too tight. For the inner belt you will have to first move the outer track on both the upper and lower pulley before completely removing the belt from the machine. Thanks Paul-Woodworkers Guild of America
I think this goes without saying, but if a guy had the money and the room, just buy the woodmaster planer and the woodmaster drumsander? I need both and the options is obviously there to have a dual machine, but that sorta looked like a pain, especially if you had to use both functions more often than once a month.
Yep, I agree with that logic. The reason that the 718 is a great fit for me is that I work in a relatively small shop, and adding a dedicated drum sander is a tough decision. I only use the drum sander function on my WM a couple times per year because the helical head does a great job on everything except end grain.
Thanks for the video. I'm getting ready to buy a planer and figured I might buy this one for the versatility. I wondered how much of a pain it was to change over to another function. Some guys buy two of these i see if they are really doing some business!
For me, the main benefits are 1)American made, 2) good value when you consider all four functions provided by the machine (in addition to sanding and planing it also serves as a gang rip saw and molding maching)., 3) space savings compared to owning 2 or more of these tools individually, and 4) quality, particularly in the planer and molding applications where this tool really shines. For more information on this you might search on wwgoa.com to find my complete review (free).
Yes, the locking collars require one size, and the sanding drum itself requires another size. This is not uncommon for a tool of this size and sophistication.
I saw a video about the sanding drum the guy was very disgusted with how it worked or the lack of working stating it burned the wood even taking twenty-five thousands. Has anyone had a problem with this? I don't much care about the sanding part but the fact that he was unhappy with the customer service it what bothers me. I need a good production molding planer that will produce a few thousand feet per month. Does anyone have a recommendation for this machine to handle that kind of output?
Is there any videos out there to show how to adjust the feed rollers?
Let's see it work.
I have a snipe issue any ideas? Infeed spring pressure?
My tapered shafts were so stuck in the bearings, from having not been removed in years, that when I recently tried to remove them (carefully, and with WD-40), I inadvertently bent the side wall frames outward a bit. Now, the straight shaft for the gang rip saw blades doesn't match up properly. Any suggestions to square them up again?
Before taking any further actions, I would suggest contacting customer service at Woodmaster to get their advice.
(800) 821-6651
I bought this machine from an estate sale 6 months or so ago and was wondering how hard it was going to be to replace the straight knife set-up with the helical head. Thanks for keeping this video on your site. I've learned to enjoy the 718 and with a little bit of modes (rubber grommets on the hand crank for one). My only complaint is chip collection. Does the helical head help with this?
Hello Bruce,
Thank you for contacting us.
It should be straightforward. I would contact Woodmaster for help if you have any questions. Those guys are great at supporting their customers.
The helical head does help with dust collection. Because it is producing smaller chips, it makes it easier for the dust collector to pull them through. Even with a helical head, however, it still takes a lot of CFM to keep it clear. Keep your duct run as short as possible. I have found a huge difference between using a 20 foot 4" flex hose run to this machine vs. using a much shorter 6" hard pipe, reduced to 4" right at the tool.
If you have any other questions, please chat, email, or call Customer Service.
Sincerely,
Paul
Wood Workers Guild of America Video Membership
I have owned the 718 for several years and I agree it is the best for a combination tool. I don't use the sanding function as much as the planner function.
If I were in the market for a planner I would definitely go with the Woodmaster 718.
I purchased a pre-owned Woodmaster 718 and I love it. I've even gotten a custom knife made to make a particular molding profile. This is a wonderful introduction to changing over this machine and I'm glad that other people are getting exposed to a great product and wonderful company. BTW all Woodmasters are made in the USA!
Hi Bob, I don't consider the drum sanding capability to be the strong suit of this machine, but I haven't had problems with burning. I don't push it very hard in drum sanding mode but I think it does fine for what I ask it to do. If I required a lot from a drum sander I would get a different unit, and not a multi-function machine. Also, in my experience, the customer service at WM has been absolutely outstanding.
Thanks for the reply and info!
Can anyone advise me on how to remove the belts? I was able to do it on my 718 but it was way more difficult than it should be. I basically had to pry it off using the wedge tool that comes with a drill press to remove the belts, only with a drill press, there is a tension loosener.
Hello. There should be enough flex in the belts to remove them without a tool. Just apply hand pressure to move the belt off the pulley as you rotate. If it is hard to remove then you probably have the tension set too tight. For the inner belt you will have to first move the outer track on both the upper and lower pulley before completely removing the belt from the machine.
Thanks
Paul-Woodworkers Guild of America
WoodWorkers Guild Of America Thanks very much for that!!
What is the main benefit? Quality? Saved space?
I think this goes without saying, but if a guy had the money and the room, just buy the woodmaster planer and the woodmaster drumsander? I need both and the options is obviously there to have a dual machine, but that sorta looked like a pain, especially if you had to use both functions more often than once a month.
Yep, I agree with that logic. The reason that the 718 is a great fit for me is that I work in a relatively small shop, and adding a dedicated drum sander is a tough decision. I only use the drum sander function on my WM a couple times per year because the helical head does a great job on everything except end grain.
Thanks for the video. I'm getting ready to buy a planer and figured I might buy this one for the versatility. I wondered how much of a pain it was to change over to another function. Some guys buy two of these i see if they are really doing some business!
For me, the main benefits are 1)American made, 2) good value when you consider all four functions provided by the machine (in addition to sanding and planing it also serves as a gang rip saw and molding maching)., 3) space savings compared to owning 2 or more of these tools individually, and 4) quality, particularly in the planer and molding applications where this tool really shines. For more information on this you might search on wwgoa.com to find my complete review (free).
Yes, the locking collars require one size, and the sanding drum itself requires another size. This is not uncommon for a tool of this size and sophistication.
I saw a video about the sanding drum the guy was very disgusted with how it worked or the lack of working stating it burned the wood even taking twenty-five thousands. Has anyone had a problem with this? I don't much care about the sanding part but the fact that he was unhappy with the customer service it what bothers me. I need a good production molding planer that will produce a few thousand feet per month. Does anyone have a recommendation for this machine to handle that kind of output?
Not complete start to finish. A waste of time
What a hassle.