Ryobi 2000W 318mm Thicknesser AP13AK Questions & Answers

I used to get mine from the Special Orders desk at Bunnings. I'm not sure if they still get Ryobi parts in.

The springs between the cutterhead and the small blocks are for roller pressure. They ensure the rollers are in contact with the wood. I'm not sure if there is a spring tensioner for the chain (sold mine years ago). From memory, our chain was so tight we had to remove the chain and sprockets all at once.

I changed my rollers in 2008, and from memory it was like David answered, the chains just fit as per the chain size and number of links. No tensioners. We're the old chains loose? Why did you have to change them? Have you checked chain size? There are usually numbers and letters on the side of some of the links, see if they correspond, old and new chains. Or measure the various chain parts( rollers centre to centre and rollers diameter )with a vernier to see if they're the same. Cheers, Kris.

I replaced the bearings on cutter roller and decided to replace chains as I am doing a complete restoration , before removal one chain was very loose the other I had to remove chain and spockets together ( very tight ) , I will checkout unit again in the morning, Thanks for your assistance . Cheers Reg

Please see my reply.

I have worked out how to replace bearings on cutter blade roller , bearings are fitted from the outside and there is just enough clearance to remove cutter blade roller, if you remove cutter blades you can use the slot to knock out bearings .

Hi Mick, This model is superceded by newer ones and even the specific blades are becoming difficult to get. Ryobi website does not entertain requests for spares. Gear change is like major surgery and will be costly as I found out with other power tools that did have replacement parts still available. So best bet is to buy another used one for spares or do like I did, upgrade to a new one with spiral cutter head, much quieter too. Cheers, Kris.

I found this website that might stock it

external link 

Try Ryobi agents. About 10 years ago I managed to get new rollers, brushes and two drive belts from them here in Auckland NZ.

If you lower the cutterhead, from memory there should be two plastic knobs with a slot for a screwdriver to fit in. These knobs hold the spring-loaded bushes in place. Undo the knobs, replace the bushes and fit the knobs back in place.

Try special orders desk at Bunnings. Other than you can buy 3rd party gauges as seen here: external link 

From experience it's a pain. You need to remove the chains linking up the feed rollers to the cutterhead block (inside the plastic housing). Take the sprockets and chains off together (there's not enough slack in the chain). I'm not sure if you need to remove the rollers. But there are two metal clamps screwed in from below using hex screws. From memory it's a case of hammering out the cutterhead block.

Thanks for the info David. I suppose if i want to save money and gain the experience I will have to tackle the challenge

I am just replacing the bearings in the cutter head for a friend. I thought that once I knocked the bearings out I would be able to just maneuver the head out through the opening above or below the cutter head, but both of them are smaller than the diameter of the head even with the blades removed. Could I be missing something?

When I installed a helical cutter head, one of the instructions in there was to trim this cover back by 3mm. I had a miniature cutting disc to do that.

I think the motor would stop working properly (not sure). Just order a new set from special orders desk at Bunnings or here external link  (item #96)

Thanks

Yes. I had a CTS spiral cutter ordered from here Wizard Products external link  It took my dad and I about 3 days to install it because the spiral cutter in the Ryobi is so hard to remove. But if you are good with your hands/tools it's possible. The finish is much smoother, it's much quieter and the best thing is that you don't have to buy new blades or regrind them every time you nick a nail. You just turn around the affected inserts 90 degrees. Oh and no need to use a blade height gauge.

Thanks

Do you mean a helical head (as in spiral cutter head)? I bought mine from here many years ago. But it takes a LONG time to fit, mainly because the Ryobi isn't really designed to have its cutter head removed. We had to replace a few bearings along the way too. external link  I wouldn't recommend doing it. In the end the motor seized up anyway. It would be easier to buy a benchtop thicknesser with the spiral cutterhead already installed.

There should be a height gauge that comes with it. The round part fits on the cutter block and the blade which rests on the little springs should protude until the notch in the gauge from memory. From memory, I think the manual should have some instructions.

No manual, no height gauge, can you help further?