Planer

[yost69]

Originally Posted by CallMeTut

I don't intend to use the planer to cut the wood down to specific thicknesses but to first and foremost clean up the wood from the saw marks from the milling. Maybe just taking both sides down 1/8 inch. I know the wood is hard (I cut a hunk off a 2 inch slab for a person who makes canes)... but I have a few hundred board feet that needs cleaned up.

if all you want to do is clean it up i would pick up a hand plane. it will take a little longer but is alot cheaper than a planer. but is still think you would want a planer, 4" thick slabs are gonna be rough scrollin if you ask me. if you have a bandsaw i would resaw them to more managable pieces. but you may have other plans, i dont know.

as stated above definately take a metal detector over it. old trees have some odd stuff in it from time to time. never know what that tree has been through, it could have a bullet in it from the civil war or a sign that it has grown over or god only knows what is hiding in there. unless of course, who ever milled it down for you already ran over it.

ben

[marshall]

Hi Tutor , I started out with a small Delta 12" portable planner { it will not hold up if a whole lot of hard wood is run thew it > and it did work for a while . Of course as time went on I started using a lot of hard woods and as the shop grew the planer was just over worked . I can tell you if I could have went back in time I wished I had never brought such a small wenpy planner . I later went with the big 220 volt Grizzly 15" planer and it the cat's meow . I understand that the money could be a problem , but remember don't waste it and think about the future too. I'm not a know-it-all , just trying to give you some insight . For I never thought that I would start using a lot of saw-mill lumber , but its the only way to go when you hobby a lot . Take Care ,,,,hope this helps you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Marshall

[marshall]

Originally Posted by JohnB

Ok Fella's now I am going a bit green with envy.
A Dewalt here is about $1200.00.
I have a GMC commonly known as a POS, and it set me back $400.00

John I'm sorry , man their ripping you guys off where your from for that Dewalt planner product it is a whole lots cheaper here in the USA .........I feel for you........Marshall

[Haggard3230]

I too have the Delta 12" portable,LOL heavy little bugger. It started squealing pretty loud about a year ago. Went on line and priced motor bearings, about $42.00 each. Went to a local bearing distributor and ended up paying $8.00 each. I have planed walnut, cherry, maple, aromatic cedar, red oak, and ash. It works fine for me.

[georgewoodie]

CallMeTut:

Only two things to add to the good advice already provided.

1 First you must joint one main surface. That means you have to use a jointer. Planing unjointed surfaces will not leave them parallel to each other. Flat yes, parallel most likely not.

2 Compressed air to clean off the surface could be okay. I use a stiff wire brush.

I suggest that you first use the wire brush, then a metal detector for staples, nails and any other foreign metals. Next, check the board for dish, where the edges are higher than the center. Place heavy pencil marks diagonally across this surface. Now joint this surface. With a flat surface, seen by the disappearing pencil lines, you have a good surface to place on the bed of the planer. Surfacing the other side with the planer will now leave both in parallel.

I also pencil mark the second surface so I know when it is done. I plane in small increments so it is easier on the machine and I am left with thicker material in the end.

My jointer has a 6 inch capacity so any material wider will require a rip cut. Therefore my 12 inch planer has ample capacity. I edge glue when done if required. For wider finished materials, I prefer to edge join 3 to 4 inch boards alternating the growth ring for stability.

Woodie

[Pajaro]

I have a Delta 12" about $220 at Lowe's (with my discount. Been a good machine. I don't use it a lot. The only problem I had was snipping. But I just cut my wood a little longer than needed before I plane it.

[VB...]

The DW735 seems to have the best reviews. it comes with 3 blades and they are reversible, once they get dull. You can't or at least not supposed to sharpen them ("Disposable"). I have read a few reviews and they all rave about the DW735. I priced it out range is from $550 to $750. I'm itching to get one but the price is high.