Shelix helical cutterhead for my Delta 22-580 planer

larry C

Member
Full Member
Messages
981
Reaction score
1,477
Location
Elberta, Alabama
First name
Larry
Guys, I'd appreciate a bit of advice here. I have a Delta 22=580 13" planer that does a reasonably good job, problem is, I am getting tired of
changing the "disposable" blades, which seem to develop nicks the very first tie I install new ones.

Currently, I'm lusting for a Shelix helical cutterhead to replace the original.....but they ain't cheap,(and I am), costing anywhere from $408.00 to $525.00,
depending on who you buy from. My main questions are:

1) Have any of you had experience with these cutterheads?
2) How much of a project is the conversion?

Thanks for the help and advice...

Larry
 

Tom Smart

Member
Full Member
Messages
4,200
Reaction score
11,251
Location
Leesburg, VA
First name
Tom
Larry, I don’t have a Delta, but I put a Grizzly helical head on my DeWalt 735. Took me the better part of an afternoon to take it apart and put it back together. The Grizzly head was a bit cheaper than the Shellix, came with new bearings included and they had a video on how to install. The noise reduction alone was worth it to me.
 

larry C

Member
Full Member
Messages
981
Reaction score
1,477
Location
Elberta, Alabama
First name
Larry
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3
Larry, I don’t have a Delta, but I put a Grizzly helical head on my DeWalt 735. Took me the better part of an afternoon to take it apart and put it back together. The Grizzly head was a bit cheaper than the Shellix, came with new bearings included and they had a video on how to install. The noise reduction alone was worth it to me.
Thanks, I've been agonizing over this for the past few months, so today, I bit the bullet and ordered the Shelix....Now, all I have to do is wait about 6 weeks or so for it to be manufactured and hopefully, I'll be good to go. I've got several boards of purple heart to plan, and it is tough on the high speed steel knives that are standard equipment....
I'm glad you've had a good experience with yours.
Larry
 

larry C

Member
Full Member
Messages
981
Reaction score
1,477
Location
Elberta, Alabama
First name
Larry
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5
I have to say I really was gonna buy one! I was just wanting you guys to confirm that it was worth the cost....:old:
 

Nature Man

Member
Full Member
Messages
13,538
Reaction score
11,110
Location
Bulverde, TX
First name
Chuck
I have to say I really was gonna buy one! I was just wanting you guys to confirm that it was worth the cost....:old:
Now that you’ve taken the plunge, please let us know how the retrofit goes, but more importantly, how it works on lumber! Chuck
 

woodtickgreg

scroll, flat, spin
Staff member
Administrator
Global Moderator
Founding Member
Full Member
Forum Moderator
Messages
19,651
Reaction score
29,413
Location
Eastpointe, Mi. usa
First name
Greg
When I upgrade to a new planer I'll be sure to go with a spiral insert head. If I didn't have plans to upgrade my planer I would be installing one in my dewalt planer. Carbide insert cutter heads are the way to go for many reasons, quiet, longevity, ease of replacement, cut quality, etc. I do like the byrd cutters because they are a shear style and a little more forgiving on figured wood.
 

larry C

Member
Full Member
Messages
981
Reaction score
1,477
Location
Elberta, Alabama
First name
Larry
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9
Now that you’ve taken the plunge, please let us know how the retrofit goes, but more importantly, how it works on lumber! Chuck
I will let y'all know.....the only downside of this is, these are built per order, and it could be 4 to 6 weeks before I receive it....in the meantime, there are several videos on You Tube about doing the conversion.....maybe I can learn a bit.
 

larry C

Member
Full Member
Messages
981
Reaction score
1,477
Location
Elberta, Alabama
First name
Larry
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10
I did not replace one but have a PM 20" -I love it. and it is so quiet
I enjoy you, Mike, but I just didn't have room in my shop for the larger machine. Actually, for the sort of work that I do, my Delta 13"
does a pretty good job, as long as I respect the limits of the machine
 

larry C

Member
Full Member
Messages
981
Reaction score
1,477
Location
Elberta, Alabama
First name
Larry
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11
When I upgrade to a new planer I'll be sure to go with a spiral insert head. If I didn't have plans to upgrade my planer I would be installing one in my dewalt planer. Carbide insert cutter heads are the way to go for many reasons, quiet, longevity, ease of replacement, cut quality, etc. I do like the byrd cutters because they are a shear style and a little more forgiving on figured wood.
The main thing that aggravates me, was the cutter knives, it seems like every time I would put in a new set, I'd run something through the planer
that would put a small (or large) nick in the knife, then I'd have to live with it until they were so bad I'd have to change. Some planers would allow
you to shift one blade a bit to eliminate that problem, but not mine.....
 

pvwoodcrafts

Member
Full Member
Messages
1,012
Reaction score
1,931
Location
Garrett County MD
First name
Mike
you'll never regret getting a shelix head, only that you procrastinated . I replaced the head on my 1952 -221 powermatic and grizzly planer. I replaced the grizzly 12 years ago and am on my last index. I had to sharpen my straight blades about 6 times a year , at $40 a pop. You'll love what it does to curly maple , or rather what it doesn't do
IMG_0746.JPG
 

larry C

Member
Full Member
Messages
981
Reaction score
1,477
Location
Elberta, Alabama
First name
Larry
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #13
you'll never regret getting a shelix head, only that you procrastinated . I replaced the head on my 1952 -221 powermatic and grizzly planer. I replaced the grizzly 12 years ago and am on my last index. I had to sharpen my straight blades about 6 times a year , at $40 a pop. You'll love what it does to curly maple , or rather what it doesn't do
View attachment 208437
 

larry C

Member
Full Member
Messages
981
Reaction score
1,477
Location
Elberta, Alabama
First name
Larry
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14
Mike, thanks for your input, I'm quite anxious to get it in the machine, I've got a bunch of purple heart boards that will be the first thing
through my machine....
Larry
 
Top