Spiral Head for Hitachi P12RA Jointer with 20 Carbide Inserts.
Why Woodworkers Are Upgrading to Spiral Cutter Heads
Many woodworkers are retrofitting spiral cutter heads to their existing planers and jointers. Here’s why this upgrade has become so popular:
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Smoother Finish with No Tear-Out
- The angled knives in a spiral cutter head create a shear cut, resulting in a staggered cutting pattern that is far superior to a single straight cut.
- This design eliminates tear-out and produces a glossy surface finish, even on highly figured hardwoods.
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Reduced Noise
- Spiral cutter heads stagger the cutting action, significantly lowering noise levels compared to traditional straight knives.
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Extended Tool Life
- The 15x15x2.5mm inserts are made from sintered tungsten carbide, offering over ten times the lifespan of high-speed steel knives.
- Each insert features four edges, providing even more longevity.
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Quick and Easy Knife Changes
- Precision-ground to +/-0.0004" (or +/-0.01mm), the inserts are interchangeable.
- Switching to a new edge is as simple as loosening a screw, rotating the insert 90°, and tightening it—saving time and cutting production times by up to 30%.
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Improved Dust Extraction
- The spiral cutter head produces thinner and shorter chips, making dust collection more efficient.
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Cost-Effective Operation
- By delivering a smooth finish and reducing or eliminating sanding and sharpening, spiral cutter heads quickly pay for themselves, offering excellent long-term value.
Upgrading to a spiral cutter head is an investment that boosts efficiency, reduces maintenance, and improves overall work quality.
Sheartak Cutterhead Kit includes:
* High tensile strength alloy steel cutter block.
* 20 carbide inserts installed on 4 helical.
* 5 extra carbide inserts & 5 extra screws free as spare parts.
* A pair of premium bearings
* 1 Wrench
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
If you add the bearings to your order, we will preinstall them for you when premounting is possible, saving you the hassle of doing it yourself.
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.
