How to Replace the Blade Screw on a DeWALT Planer

The knives in your planer are secured with blade holders and a series of screws. The screws pass through the blade holders into the cutter head. Over time, the screw heads can be stripped-out, either from repeated removal, or a screw that is stuck in the cutter head (due to corrosion). Removing a screw with a stripped head can be challenging, so it is a good idea to replace a screw at the first sign the head is wearing.

Let's get started.

REMOVING THE BLADE SCREW   1. Remove the top cover.

a. Remove the (4) screws securing the top cover.

b. Lift the top cover away from the planer.

  2. Remove the dust shroud.

a. Remove the (3) red thumb-bolts securing the dust shroud to the planer.

b. Lift the dust shroud slightly (within the housing).

c. Disengage the dust shroud from the fan housing.

d. Remove the dust shroud from the planer.

  3. Remove the blade screw.

a. Use a Torx driver (or the wrench supplied with the planer) to remove the damaged blade screw.

INSTALLING THE BLADE SCREW   4. Install the blade screw.

a. Install and tighten the new blade screw.

  REASSEMBLING THE UNIT   5. Reinstall the dust shroud.

a. Install the dust shroud into the planer.

b. Align the "open" indicator on the dust shroud with the mark on the fan housing.

c. Press the dust shroud toward the fan housing to engage the two components.

d. Pivot the dust shroud down (toward the cutter head).

e. Secure the dust shroud with the (3) red thumb-bolts.   6. Reinstall the top cover.

a. Install the top cover onto the planer.

b. Secure the top cover with the (4) screws.