Central Machinery Affordable Excellence Since 1982
Central Machinery represents over four decades of providing quality woodworking tools at accessible prices for hobbyists, DIY enthusiasts, and professional craftsmen across America. Launched in 1982 as Harbor Freight's flagship machinery brand, Central Machinery has become a household name for budget-conscious woodworkers seeking reliable performance. The extensive product line delivers quality woodworking tools including jointers, planers, dust collectors, lathes, sanders, and complete workshop solutions for both home workshops and small commercial operations.
Central Machinery features solid construction with cast iron components, dependable motors, and practical mechanical components designed for real-world applications. Popular models include the Model 1606 6" jointer, Model 598 16" planer, Model T-39775 16" auto planer, Model SA-406 16" auto planer, Model 32966 jointer, and Model CT-318 T6469 12" wood planer. Available through Harbor Freight Tools locations nationwide, Central Machinery has established itself as the go-to source for affordable woodworking tools, offering value-driven solutions and accessible customer support that DIY woodworkers and hobbyists depend on.
Premium Spiral Cutterhead Jointer Solutions
Sheartak Tools Ltd. manufactures precision-engineered spiral cutterhead solutions specifically designed for Central Machinery equipment. Our cutter head upgrades transform standard Harbor Freight planers and jointers into high-performance systems with significantly enhanced cutting quality. Each spiral cutterhead jointer conversion features premium carbide inserts as mechanical components arranged along helical grooves, creating a true shear-cut that dramatically reduces noise and eliminates tear-out on all wood species.
These mechanical component upgrades deliver exceptional surface finishes that enhance the solid performance of Central Machinery woodworking tools. The advanced cutter head design provides more than 10 times the blade life of traditional straight knives. When an edge dulls on your spiral cutterhead jointer, simply rotate the carbide insert 90 degrees for a fresh cutting edge—no blade removal, no sharpening services, no complicated adjustments required.
Professional Mechanical Components for Harbor Freight Machinery
Sheartak Tools Ltd. manufactures every Central Machinery spiral cutterhead using high-tensile strength alloy steel paired with sintered tungsten carbide inserts. Each cutter head is precision-ground to tolerances of ±0.0004" (±0.01mm), ensuring seamless integration with your Harbor Freight equipment including Models 1606, 598, T-39775, SA-406, 32966, and CT-318 T6469. Our mechanical components complement the value and accessibility that have made Central Machinery a trusted choice for woodworking tools since 1982.
Whether you own a Central Machinery jointer, planer, or combination machine, our spiral cutterhead solutions deliver professional reliability and performance. These woodworking tools reduce operational noise by up to 80%, improve surface quality dramatically, and maximize the efficiency of your Harbor Freight equipment, maintaining the affordable value proposition that defines this respected American brand serving workshops from hobbyist garages to small commercial operations nationwide.
Do I need to replace the original bearings?
If the bearings in your machine are in good condition, they can be reused by carefully removing them with a bearing or pulley puller. However, if the bearings are tightly pressed onto the shaft, removal may cause damage. To minimize this risk, we recommend replacing old bearings with our greased and sealed bearings, designed for long-lasting performance. For a smooth upgrade, we suggest adding the bearings to your shopping cart before completing your purchase.
We provide premium bearings from NSK, SKF, NTN, FAG, Timken. They are renowned for their high quality and performance, designed to provide durability and reliability in various applications
Do I need to to Add a Few Boxes of Carbide Inserts
We provide 5 carbide inserts and 5 screws as spare parts. However, many of our customers choose to purchase additional boxes, as the shipping costs for separate purchases can make it less economical.
Do I need a Torque Wrench?
To securely lock the carbide inserts, we recommend applying a torque of 48 to 52 Pound-Inches (or 5.42 to 5.88 Newton-Meters). (Note: 1 Newton-Meter is equal to 8.851 Pound-Inches, and 1 Pound-Inch is approximately 0.113 Newton-Meters.) It is crucial not to apply excessive torque, as this could cause the carbide inserts to crack or explode. On the other hand, using too little torque may result in the inserts not being properly secured, which could lead to cracks, shattering, or uneven height on the cutter block, causing ridges or lines on the board.
If one person is responsible for maintaining the machine, they can typically apply the same torque consistently without a torque wrench. However, when multiple people are involved in machine maintenance, ensuring uniform torque application can be challenging. For consistency and peace of mind, we recommend using a torque wrench.
What kind of steel the cutter block is made of?
The cutter block is constructed using GB/T 40Cr, a structural alloy steel of the same caliber as ASTM grade 5140, AISI 5140, SAE 5140, DIN 41Cr4, BS 41Cr4, JIS SCr440, and EN 41Cr4.The primary components of this steel are as follows: carbon (C) at a range of 0.37-0.44%, silicon (Si) between 0.17-0.37%, manganese (Mn) within 0.50-0.80%, and chromium (Cr) from 0.80-1.10%.
In terms of physical properties, this steel exhibits a tensile strength range of 115-234σb/MPa, a yield strength of 2σ 0.2 ≥/MPa, and an elongation capacity of 65 δ5≥ (%). It also has a HBS range of 123-321 and a HRC rating of 30.
This alloy steel is frequently utilized in low to moderately stressed components for machines, engines, and vehicles.
