After replacing the drive chain with a stiff link in it last week, and reassembled the planer, I ran a few test boards through. First one went through ok. Second one, the planer resumed its "thunk thunk thunk" leaving divots. This time I completely disassembled the planer and found bushing for the roller in the exit side of the planer was almost completely worn through. In fact, there was a stress crack in one side of the bushing. I could probably peel open the bushing if I tried! I guess the stiff link in the chain caused the spindle to pull up & down until it wore the bushing out?
The amazing thing is that I have not run that many board feet through the planer. Doing more research, it appears this is not an isolated incident for these bushings to fail - they appear to be aluminum?
In any case my question is: since I am replacing the bushings, I probably should replace the rollers/spindles as well, right? Since (I would think) they would both wear evenly, particularly the one in the back that wore through the bushing?
Cheers, Dukester