Axminster Craft AC318BT User manual

AC318BT (MB1931)
Benchtop Thicknesser
Code 105108
AT&M: 03/07/2018
BOOK REF : 105155
Original Instructions

Index of Contents
2
EU Declaration of Conformity
The symbols below advise the correct safety procedures when using this machine.
Fully read manual
and safety instructions
before use
Eye protection
should be worn
Ear protection
should be worn
HAZARD
Dust mask
should be worn
EU Declaration of Conformity 02
What’s Included 03-04
General Instructions for 230V Machines 04
Specific Instructions for Thicknessing Machines 05
Specification 05
Assembly 06-07
Illustration & Parts Description 08-09-10-11
Setup & Adjustment 12-13
Operating Instructions 14
Changing the Blades 15-16-17
Maintenance 18-19
Troubeshooting 20
Exploded Diagrams/Lists 21-22-23
Wiring Diagram 23
Cert No: MB1931(TP2000)
Axminster Tools & Machinery Ltd
Axminster Devon
EX13 5PH UK
axminster.co.uk
Type Thicknesser
Model AC318BT and conforms to the machinery example for which the
EC Type-Examination Certificate No S50328303 001, BM50328304 001,E8A 16 06 41469 839
has been issued by TÜV Rheinland (China) Ltd. (Member of TÜV Rheinland Group)
at: Unit 707, AVIC Bldg., No. 10B, Central Road,East 3rd Ring Road,
Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100022, P.R. China
and complies with the relevant essential health and safety requirements.
2006/42/EC
EN 55014-1: 2006/A2:2011
EN 55014-2: 1997/A2: 2008
EN 61000-3-2: 2014
declares that the machinery described:-
This machine complies with the following directives:
EU Declaration of Conformity
EN 61000-3-11: 2000
EN 61029-1: 2009+A11
61029-2-3: 2011
AfPS GS 2014: 01
Signed
Andrew Parkhouse
Operations Director Date: 06/06/2016

What’s Included
3
Quantity Item Part Model Number
1 Benchtop Thicknesser AAC318BT
4 Rubber Feet B
1 Rise & Fall Operating Handle
with M6 Hex Screw and Spring Washer C
1 Blade Setting Gauge D
1 8-10mm Spanner E
1 4-5mm Hex Key F
4 M8 x 45mm Nex Bolts to secure thicknesser to workbench G
A
B
C

What’s Included
4
G
D
FE
General Instructions for 230V Machines
The following will enable you to observe good working
practices, keep yourself and fellow workers safe and maintain
your tools and equipment in good working order.
WARNING!! KEEP TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
OUT OF REACH OF YOUNG CHILDREN
Mains Powered Tools
• Tools are supplied with an attached 13 Amp plug.
• Inspect the cable and plug to ensure that neither are
damaged. Repair if necessary by a suitably qualified person.
• Do not use when or where it is liable to get wet.
Workplace
• Do not use 230V a.c. powered tools anywhere
within a site area that is flooded.
• Keep machine clean.
• Leave machine unplugged until work is about to commence.
• Always disconnect by pulling on the plug body
and not the cable.
•Carry out a final check e.g. check the cutting tool
is securely tightened in the machine and the correct
speed and function set.
•Ensure you are comfortable before you start work,
balanced, not reaching etc.
•Wear appropriate safety clothing, goggles, gloves,
masks etc.Wear ear defenders at all times.
•If you have long hair wear a hair net or helmet to prevent it
being caught up in the rotating parts of the machine.
•Consideration should be given to the removal of rings and
wristwatches.
•Consideration should also be given to non-slip footwear etc.
•If another person is to use the machine, ensure they are
suitably qualified to use it.
•Do not use the machine if you are tired or distracted.
•Do not use this machine within the designated safety areas
of flammable liquid stores or in areas where there may be
volatile gases.
•Check cutters are correct type and size, are undamaged
and are kept clean and sharp, this will maintain their
operating performance and lessen the loading on the
machine.
•OBSERVE…. make sure you know what is happening
around you and USE YOUR COMMON SENSE.
KEEP WORK AREA AS UNCLUTTERED AS IS PRACTICAL.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD CHILDREN BE
ALLOWED IN WORK AREAS.

Specific Instructions for Thicknessing Machines
5
1. Check knives are clean and sharp.
2. Check thicknessing table is clear of debris before
commencing work.
WARNING!! DO NOT CARRY OUT ANY
CLEANING OR MAINTENANCE WITH THE
MACHINE CONNECTED TO THE MAINS SUPPLY!
THIS THICKNESSER IS FOR
MACHINING TIMBER ONLY!
When machining, long pieces of timber tend to be unstable.
Bolting the machine to a bench increases stability. It is also
advisable to use two outfeed roller stands. However you have
mounted your machine ensure it is secure before you
commence work.
Note: Check there are no foreign objects e.g. old nails,
screws, small stones etc embedded in the material you
are about to machine.
3. Check there is no excess build up of resin etc.,
on the thicknessing bed.
4. Check feed rollers are clean and unclogged.
5. Check the guards are in place and secure
before using the machine.
6. Do not stand directly in line with the infeed or the
outfeed of the machine especially when starting up.
7. Do not force the timber through the machine, it has
its own feed rollers and will feed itself at the correct rate.
8. The machine is designed for PLANING TIMBER ONLY.
9. Do not put man-made materials through this machine.
10. Remove loose knots from timber before planing.
11. Always allow machine to run up to full speed before
introducing the timber.
12. If your machine is fitted with ‘pass over rollers’
make sure that they are rotating freely.
Code 105108
Model AC318BT
Power 1.8 kW
Feed Speed 7 m/min
Cutterblock Speed 9,000rpm
Cutterblock Diameter 48mm
Max Thicknesser Capacity 153mm
Max Planing Width 318mm
Max Depth of Cut Thicknesser 2.5mm full width, 3mm to 125mm wide
Noise Level dB (A) (Sound Pressure Level) LpA: 99.6dB (A)
(Sound Power Level) LwA: 112.6dB (A)
(Uncertainty) K: 3.0dB (A)
Knives HSS (Resharpenable) x 2
Min Extraction Airflow Required 390 m³/hr
Dust Extraction Outlet 50mm
Overall L x W x H 560 x 360 x 580mm
Weight 30kg
Specification

Assembly
6
Fitting Rubber Feet Rise & Fall Operating Handle
11
2
4
33
4
2
B
C

Assembly
7
5
1
4
2
Workbench Assembly
3
6
G
G
Mark the four holes with an pencil;
drill a 9mm hole to each corner
Place a washer to each corner as shown
Locate the four M8 Hex bolts (G) and insert down through
each hole. Using four M8 washers nuts, secure in place

Illustration & Parts Description
8
Motor brush
Extension table levelling bolt
NVR Switch shroud
Rise & Fall handle
Scale
Pointer
Thicknessing head
Extension table Roller Width guide

Illustration & Parts Description
9
NVR switch emergency stop (A),
Circuit breaker ‘RESET’ switch (B), On/Off buttons (C)
Thicknessing head rise & fall control handle
Cutter block (A), Anti-kickback fingers (B), Feed rollers (C)
Thicknessing scaleTool compartment
ABC
A
B
C

Illustration & Parts Description
10
318mm
Cutter block cover Motor & gearbox
Threaded shaft
Dust extraction
Thicknessing bed
Motor brush

Illustration & Parts Description
11
Cutter block (A), Blade holder (B), Blade (C), Square nut (D)
Width guides (E-F)keep the timber within the boundaries of the cutter block
Cutter block cover with a 50mm duct extraction outlet (G) Folding infeed outfeed
extension tables
C
BD
A
E F
G

Setup & Adjustment
12
5
4
3
2
1
8
6
7
Levelling Extension Tables
Wind the thicknessing head up and place a straight edge across
the extension tables. Adjust the two stop bolts (A) below the
table until level is correct.
Table stop bolt (A) and locking nut (B)
A
B
A
BLoosen nut
Adjust stop bolt

Setup & Adjustment
13
3
2
1
7
6
5
4
Setting Cutter Head to Thicknessing Bed
Plane a piece of timber and measure the thickness after
the cut. If the thicknesses are different on both sides of
the work piece, follow the instructions below:
Use a piece of hardwood to make a tool gauge block
(Illustrations 1-2).
Gauge block
Make the following adjustments:
Adjust the height nuts on either side to suit the gauge block
then tighten when level. Reassemble the thicknesser and
remove gauge block.
Cutter head adjusting nut
Continues over...

Operating Instructions
14
Connect the thicknesser to a dust extractor with an air volume
of 700m3/hr.
CONNECT THE THICKNESSER TO THE MAINS
SUPPLY!
1
3
4
5
Lift up the emergency stop shroud and press the GREEN ‘ON’
button (2). Let the thicknesser reach full speed and feed a piece
of timber through from the infeed table. Wait until the timber
has passed through then switch off the machine by pressing
the RED ‘OFF’button and wait until the machine comes to a
complete stop.
CLEAR ALL TOOLS AWAY FROM THE WORK
AREA!
NEVER PLANE MORE THAN 3MM IN ONE PASS!
NEVER PLANE A BOARD UNDER 127MM IN
LENGTH!
2
Depth of Cut Scale
It is important that the depth of cut scale reads accurately.
Adjust as follows.
• Turn the rise & fall handle (4) to the required depth.
NOTE: one revolution of the handle equals 1.6mm of depth.
• Switch‘ON’ the thicknesser and wait until it reaches full speed.
• Feed a piece of timber through.
• Switch‘OFF’ and wait until it comes to a complete stop.
• Compare the measurement on the timber with the reading on
the scale. (5) If the reading is different, adjust the scales pointer
by loosening the two screws (A).
• Feed another piece of timber through to check the depth of
cut and make further adjustments if necessary.
A
Circuit Breaker ‘RESET’ Switch
The thicknesser has an overload switch (3). If an overload
occurs, the switch will pop out.Wait several minutes before
pressing in the switch to reset the machine.

Changing the Blades
15
6
7
8
9
10
1
2
3
4
5
DISCONNECT THE MACHINE FROM THE MAINS
SUPPLY BEFORE CONTINUING!
Loosen
Clean cutter block
Remove assembly
Continues over...
E

Changing the Blades
16
B
A
C
E
D
Cutter Block Assembly
Blade Setting Gauge A
Blade B
Blade Holder C
Spring D
Clamping Square Nut E

Changing the Blades
17
18
17
19
15
16
11
12
13
14
CAUTION!! THE BLADES ARE SHARP!
Blade
Blade
Slot
Pin
E
D
Tighten

Maintenance
18
Changing the Motor Brushes
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
DISCONNECT THE MACHINE FROM THE
MAINS SUPPLY BEFORE CONTINUING!
Take careful note of the orientation of the
brushes when you remove them, remember
that they have bedded themselves to the
profile of the commutator in that position.
If you fit them reversed they may not be in
exactly the same position, which can cause
excessive sparking and heat until they have
re-bedded themselves.
Check the carbon brushes every three months. Replace if worn.

Maintenance
19
Checking the Condition of Drive Belt Checking the Condition of Drive Chain
2
1
3
4
2
1
• Visually inspect the drive belt for damage or slackness every
month.
• Once a month, check the chain drive has not become too
slack or the teeth on the sprockets too worn. Check the chain
has not become clogged.
3
• Clean the chains, remove build-up of dust or wood shavings
and apply a light coat of greese over the chains.
• Remove the build-up of sawdust and debris around the
machine.
• Replace guard covers.

Troubleshooting
20
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION
Grain is fussy 1. Planing wood with high
moisture content
2. Blades are dull
1. Dry the wood
2. Sharpen the blades
Grain is torn 1. The cut is too heavy
2. Blades are cutting against the grain
3. Blades are dull
1. Review proper depth of cut
2. Feed the workpiece with the grain,
or turn workpiece around
3. Sharpen the blades
Grain is rough/raised 1. Blades are dull
2. Cut is too heavy
3. Moisture content is too high
4. Cutter head bearings are damaged
1. Sharpen the blades
2. Review proper depth of cut
3. Dry the wood
4. Replace the bearings
Uneven depth of cut
from side to side
1. Blade projection is not uniform
2. Cutter head is not levelled
to planer bed
1. Adjust the blade projection
2. Level the cutter head to table
Board thickness does
not match depth of
cut scale
1. Depth of cut scale is incorrect 1. Adjust the depth of cut scale
Chain is jumping 1. Sprockets are misaligned
2. Sprockets are worn
1. Align the sprockets
2. Replace the sprockets
Machine will not
start/restart
1. Tool is not plugged in
2. Motor failure
3. Wire is loose
4. Overload reset has failed
5. Motor starter failure
1. Check the power source
2. Check the motor
3. Check the motor by a qualified electrician
4. Allow machine to cool down and restart
5. Check the motor by a qualified electrician
Circuit tripping
resulting in motor
stoppage
1. Extension cord is too long or too thin
2. Blades are too dull
3. Low voltage running
1. Use a shorter or thicker extension cord
2. Sharpen or replace the blades
3. Check the voltage
Poor feeding
of timber
1. Planer table is dirty
2. Feed roller is damaged
3. Sprocket is damaged
4. Gear box malfunctions
1. Clean off the pitch and residue,
and lubricate the planer table
2. Replace the feed roller
3. Replace the sprocket
4. Check the gear box
Workpiece is jammed 1. Inadequate blade setting height 1. Set the blade to the correct height