Product Overview
The Sheartak Helical Cutterhead for the LUNA W69 Planer Thicknesser is precision-machined from high-strength alloy steel and equipped with premium carbide inserts arranged in a true helical pattern. The shear-cutting action produces a smoother finish, reduces tear-out, lowers noise levels, and significantly extends cutting life compared with traditional straight knives.
Key Benefits
Superior Surface Finish
Each carbide insert is mounted at a slight angle to create a shear-cutting action. Combined with the staggered insert arrangement, the cutterhead produces exceptionally smooth surfaces with minimal tear-out, even on highly figured hardwoods.
Reduced Noise
Unlike conventional straight-knife cutterheads that strike the full width of the board simultaneously, the helical arrangement allows only a few inserts to engage the workpiece at one time, significantly reducing operating noise.
Longer Tool Life
The inserts are manufactured from premium C3++ carbide and provide substantially longer life than conventional high-speed steel knives. Each insert features four usable cutting edges.
Easy Maintenance
When an edge becomes dull, simply rotate the insert 90° to expose a fresh cutting edge. No knife setting, grinding, or height adjustment is required.
Lower Operating Cost
The combination of longer insert life, reduced downtime, and quick insert rotation significantly lowers long-term operating costs.
What's Included
- 1 × Sheartak Helical Cutterhead
- Full Set of Carbide Inserts (Pre-installed)
- 5 × Spare Carbide Inserts
- 5 × Spare Torx Screws
- 1 × Torx T25 Wrench
Technical Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Cutterhead Material |
AISI 5140 Alloy Steel |
| Insert Material |
C3++ Tungsten Carbide |
| Insert Size |
15 × 15 × 2.5 mm R150 |
| Number of Inserts |
85 |
| Number of Rows |
5 |
| Screw Size |
#10-32 TPI |
| Wrench Size |
Torx T25 |
Installation
The cutterhead is designed as a direct replacement for the original cutterhead. Installation typically requires basic mechanical skills and standard shop tools.
We recommend inspecting the bearings during installation and replacing worn bearings if necessary.
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.
