Craftex CX series User manual

MODEL CX13HC
13” Bench Top Helical Thickness Planer 2 Speed
Ver. 1 01/15/2021

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Safety Instructions ......................................................... 3
Safety Instructions ...................................................................... 4
Specifications ............................................................................. 5
Power Supply ............................................................................. 6
Plug and Grounding Requirements ............................................. 7
Unpacking of the CX13HC .......................................................... .8
Inventory ..................................................................................... 9
Assembly .................................................................................... 9
Securing Planer to a Table or Workbench .................................. 10
Making Adjustments ................................................................... 11
Adjusting /Replacing Inserts for the Helical Cutterhead............... 12
To Rotate or Change Cutterhead Inserts .................................... 13
Thickness Scale Adjustment & Power Switch ............................. 14
Repeat Cut Preset & Feed Rate ................................................. 15
Basic Operation .......................................................................... 16
Avoiding Snipe & Maintenance ................................................... 17
Hardware Tightness .................................................................... 18
Trouble Shooting ........................................................................ 19
Parts List..................................................................................... 21
Warranty ..................................................................................... 24

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GENERAL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Extreme caution should be used when operating all power tools. Know your power tool, be
familiar with its operation, read through the owner’s manual and practice safe usage
procedures at all times
ALWAYS read and understand the
user manual before operating the
machine.
CONNECT your machine ONLY to the
matched and specific power source.
ALWAYS wear safety glasses
respirators, hearing protection and
safety shoes, when operating your
machine.
DO NOT wear loose clothing or
jewelry when operating your machine.
A SAFE ENVIRONMENT is
important. Keep the area free of dust,
dirt and other debris in the immediate
vicinity of your machine.
BE ALERT!DO NOT use prescription
or other drugs that may affect your
ability or judgment to safely operate
your machine.
NEVER leave a tool unattended while it
is in operation.
NEVER reach over the machine when
the tool is in operation.
ALWAYS keep blades, knives and bits
sharpened and properly aligned.
ALL OPERATIONS MUST BE
performed with the guards in place to
ensure safety.
ALWAYS use push sticks and feather
boards to safely feed your work through
the machine.
ALWAYS make sure that any tools used
for adjustments are removed before
operating the machine.
ALWAYS keep bystanders safely away
while the machine is in operation.
WARNING!
The safety instructions given above cannot be complete because the environment in every shop is different. Always
consider safety first as it applies to your individual working conditions.

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If you are not familiar with the
operation of a thickness planer, you
should obtain the advice and/or
instruction from a qualified
professional.
Never reach into or through the
throat of the thickness planer. Even
with the power turned off, the cutter-
knives are very sharp.
Keep the cutter head and knives
clean and free of tar and pitch.
Be sure that the motor switch is
properly grounded.
Check each and every workpiece to
be surfaced for loose knots, nails,
screws and any other foreign
materials and defects before
planning.
Keep hands away from the surface
of the wood as it nears the in-feed
rollers.
Make all adjustments with the power
OFF.
Always keep the machine clean and
free of sawdust and wood chips.
They may contain moisture that
could cause the metal surfaces to
rust.
Turn Off the power before removing
any wood shavings and sawdust
from the surface of in-feed & out-
feed tables.
THINK SAFETY. WORK SAFELY
IMPORTANT!
The safety instructions given above cannot be complete because the
environment in every shop is different. Always consider safety first as
it applies to your individual working conditions.
THICKNESS PLANER SPECIFIC
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

SPECIFICATIONS
Motor power input………………………………………………..…..120 V, 60 Hz, AC Only, 15Amp
Feed speed F/min………………..………………………………………..…………….. 16 & 26 FPM
Cutterhead speed………………………………………………………………………….RPM 10,000
Motor RPM…………………………………………........….. ………………23000+/-10% (No Load)
Cutterhead diameter…………………………………………………………………….……………. 2”
Max planer capacity………………………………………………….………..……………….. 6" x 13"
Max depth of cut @ 6”……………………………………………………………………………… 1/8"
Max depth of cut @ 12.5”…………………………………………………….……………………1/16"
Minimum Length of Stock……………………………………………………..………………………7”
Minimum Thickness of Stock………………………………………………..………………………1/8”
Cutter inserts qty………………………………………………...……….…………………26 (2 sided)
Shipping Weight…………………………………………………………….…………………….66 lbs.
Shipping Dimensions………………………………….………………………..26” W x 16” D x 21” H
Dust Port Opening……………………………………………………..…….. ………………2 ½” or 4”

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POWER SUPPLY
AVAILABILITY OF POWER
Before Installation of this machine you
will need to consider the proximity of
your power supply circuit. If available
circuits do not meet the requirements for
this machine you will have to get a new
circuit installed by a licensed electrician.
Use of a licensed electrician will
minimize the risks of fire, electrocution,
damage to equipment and will insure
everything is wired in accordance to the
applicable codes and standards.
FULL LOAD CURRENT RATING
This is the amount of Amps a machine
draws under 100% of the rated output
power.
FULL LOAD RATING FOR 120V
15AMPS
The full load current is not the maximum
amount of amps the machine will draw.
The machine has potential to draw
current beyond the full load rating if it is
overloaded. Overloading of the machine
for an extended period of time can
cause damage, overheating, or even
fire. The risk is higher if the machine is
on an undersized circuit. To help avoid
these issues insure you are connected
to a circuit in which meets the specified
circuit requirements for this piece of
machinery.
WARNING!!!
Do not connect machine to power
before setup has been fully
completed to avoid risk of personal
injury or property damage.
CIRCUIT REQUIREMENTS FOR
CX13HC BENCHTOP PLANER
The CX13HC has been prewired at the
factory for operation on an electrical
circuit that has a verified ground and
meets the below requirements:
Voltage: 110V – 120V
Cycle: 60Hertz
Phase: Single
Circuit Breaker Size: 20 Amps
Please Note:
1. An electrical circuit includes all
electrical equipment between the
breaker panel and the machine. This
is why it is important to have the
proper circuit size so it can safely
accommodate this machine under
full load for an extended period of
time.
2. The circuit requirements laid out in
this manual are for a dedicated
circuit in which only one machine will
be operational or installed at a time.
3. If you choose to connect to a shared
circuit where more than one machine
may be running at a time please
consult with a qualified electrician to

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insure the circuit is properly sized for
safe operation.
PLUG AND GROUNDING
REQUITEMENTS
This machine must be grounded so that
in the event of certain malfunctions it will
reduce the chances of electrical shock
by providing a path of least resistance
for the electric current to travel through.
For this reason the CX13HC comes with
a cord equipped with an equipment
grounding wire that leads in to the
grounding prong on the plug.
NOTE:
The three prong plug is only to be
plugged in to the matching receptacle
that is properly installed according to the
local electrical codes and standards.
Under no circumstances should you
modify the plug to make it fit in a
receptacle that it is not meant for this
configuration.( see figure 1)
Figure 1
If there is an improper connection of a
machine grounding wire it may result in
a heightened risk of electric shock. If
repair or replacement of the power cord
is necessary in the future please consult
a licensed electrician.
NOTE:
If ever you notice damage or wear to
either the cord or plug, disconnect it
immediately from the power supply and
have it replaced by a licensed electrician
or service tech before any further use of
the machine.
USE WITH EXTENSION CORDS
If you absolutely must require the use of
an extension cord with your machine do
so, on a temporary short term basis
only.
NOTE:
We recommend that you do not use an
extension cord with this machine. Also
the longer the extension cord the greater
the possibility of voltage drop causing
the motor to work harder under powered
which in turn will cause it to draw more
amps.This may cause the thermal
overload to trip or even the breaker in
your electrical panel. It may also cause
the extension cord to heat up which can
be a potential fire hazard.
If an extension cord is used with this
machine it must have a ground wire with
a plug that matches the one currently
installed on your machine. The
extension cord must also meet the
following specifications below:
Minimum Wire Gauge:12 AWG
Maximum Cord Length:50 ft.

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UNPACKING OF THE CX13HC
This machine has been carefully packed
in order to protect it during transport.
While unpacking thoroughly go through
the box and separate all items from the
materials used for packaging. It is
always wise to inspect all items for
shipping damage. In the event of any
damaged items please contact your
local Busy Bee Tools.
NOTE:
Please keep all material used in
packaging until you are satisfied with
your machine and have rectified any
issues between Busy Bee Tools or the
agent of shipping. (Ex: Shipping damage
claim)
When receiving your planer, check the
carton exterior and machine for any
shipping damage. Carefully remove the
packing materials, accessories and the
machine from the shipping carton. Lay out
all parts on a clean work surface.
Compare the inventory of items and verify
that all items are accounted for. (If
possible retain the shipping carton for
warranty service if ever needed.) If any
parts are missing, do not attempt to plug
in the power cord and run the machine.
Carefully clean any protective coatings
from the machine parts, accessories and
the planer itself. Protective coatings may
easily be removed by spraying with WD-
40, then wiping them off with a soft cloth.
You may need to repeat this process in
order to fully remove all of the protective
coating.
After you have cleaned the parts and
machine, apply a good paste wax to the
unpainted surfaces. Infeed, outfeed and
center table included. Be certain to buff
out the wax before assembling the planer.

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Inventory
1. DUST PORT Assembly 1 pc
2. HEX WRENCH 4mm x 100 1 pc
3. TORX WRENCH 1 pc
4. RAISE / LOWER HANDLE 1 pc
5. HEX SCREW M5*P0.8*20 1 pc
6. DUST PORT KNOB 2 pc
7. Planner Body (Not Shown) 1 pc

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Assembly
WARNING!
Make certain that the machine is
disconnected from the power source.
ATTACHING DEPTH ADJUSTMENT
HANDLE
Attach the DEPTH DJUSTMENT handle
to the shaft located on top of the planer
and fasten in place with 1 Hex Socket
Head screw. Tighten screw using
supplied hex wrench. SEE FIG 1.
Fig. 1
ATTACHING DUSTPORT
1. Facing the rear of the machine, locate
the dust port on the cutterhead
assembly by turning 2 dust port knobs.
Position the dust port assembly and
secure in place with the 2 supplied dust
port knobs. See FIG 2.
Figure 2
2. To minimize sawdust accumulation on
your work piece, attach either a 2-1/2 in.
or a 4 in. vacuum hose to the dust port.
3. The dust port must be snapped shut
completely or chips may fly out of the
front of the planer.
4. The dust port can be opened to allow
chips to flow out the back of the planer
when a vacuum system is not used. See
FIG 3A and 3B.
Figure 3A