HI all, I have a project to do using the composite broads (the broads used in decking) Can I run this material through my planer to reduce the thickness?
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Replies
I did a VERY LARGE deck this summer for my sister-in-law that was all composite (made from recycled materials). The product is wonderful stuff but very expensive. My sister-in-law NEVER buys junk! I forget the brand name but it was top of the line stuff.
I did not use a planner but I did use a power hand plane and a common hand plane when necessary. No problem using either. I see no reason that there would be any problem. At least with the product I worked with.
I do have a question. Why would you need a planner? I think the strength has a lot to due with the material thickness. If you plane it thinner you will need to modify the support joist spacing. Just my opinion.
Edited 9/15/2007 7:07 pm by WillGeorge
WG, see also my questions in park benches/general discussion. It's not nice to steal threads. Paddy
It's not nice to steal threads. Paddy??? I thought I was making a comment to handhands.
Edited 9/16/2007 3:18 am by WillGeorgeEdited 9/16/2007 3:21 am by WillGeorge
Edited 9/16/2007 3:21 am by WillGeorge
wg, not you --I ment me with my bench questions.
Paddy the polite?
"If you plane it thinner you will need to modify the support joist spacing. Just my opinion." The joists already have to be spaced pretty close together (with stock thickness). That's one of the reasons we're going to Ipe for our replacement deck, rather than Trex or any of the other composites. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Thanks for your help. I am rebuilding a popup camper roof and did not want to put wood back in place of the rotten wood. I need to plane the material down to thickness I need.
Tell us handy, do you lay all the broads end to end on your planer? ROFL
I just had to view the thread and find out how creative you guys could get with a straight line like "broads through planer". C'mon now, show your stuff!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Lots of guy like a thinner broad but running them through a planer is a bit extreme.
You're the winner so far. ROFL!!!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I understand the planer broads all have great personalities.
Hi F-G This is not an attempt to hi jack .But have you worked Ipe? We are currently using some .I am finding the dust very irritating both respiratory and to skin.It is also very slow to build with, using clips and SS screws.Lots of pilot drilling!!
Hi, Jako. Haven't worked with it yet, but got the scoop from a couple/three people who've used it quite a bit. Yep, it's a grind with all the pre-drilling and such, but in our Great Northwest climate, we want a deck that will last longer than we will, and that's either Trex or Ipe. I really don't care for the look of the composites, and they require a great deal closer spacing of joists than the Ipe would. So, the grind is simply the price we'll pay.
I'll keep in mind what you say about the irritating dust, make hubby wear long sleeves and a mask if I can. I'm pretty good about that kind of thing, and I'll probably be doing most of the sawing.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
So what is the joist spacing requirement for composites? I had a porch built last winter with composites and I think the joists were of regular spacing.
I believe it's 20" for 2x material and 16" for 5/4 material. Any wood material (e.g., cedar) can be spaced further apart, but a wood such as Ipe further still because of its strength.
If our deck wasn't as big and as high as it is, the composite might look OK, but it's over 30' long on the long side of the L, and over 4' off the ground, set next to a cedar-sided house in the woods. Composite just doesn't feel right. Our current joists are an unreal 30" apart (no, we didn't build it). Trying to get by without doubling that number, LOL!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Well, I kind of wish I had used lumber now. I'm sure it is at least sixteen inch spacing. I had to do something as my wife fell through the landing last year. Our deck is some nine feet high with a stairway down to a patio below. We put a roof over it so I guess it is officially a porch now.
Oh, it'll be OK, Tinkerer. Glad we aren't the only ones to have a deck self-destruct. We were going to replace it last year, but one thing led to another led to hunting season during which hubby is nowhere to be found.
Then this year, it was fairly high on the priority list, especially when it collapsed during the move of new kitchen appliances in (that went OK) and old appliances out (that did not). But by the time we put in the new kitchen floor, hardwood floors in the livingroom and bedroom, and coped with several family emergencies a few hundred miles away, the deck is yet to be started.
By the tomorrow night, though, we'll have the two new windows in on that side. Nick's going to just putter along at the deck whenever he has time and the weather permits, I'll help when I can I guess. Currently, we have a "landing" and that's about it, the part that was left after the collapse, LOL!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
You know, I've noticed that a lot of the thinner broads smoke. So, if you're going to plane them, make sure your dust collector doesn't catch fire...
Zolton* I'm so broke I can't even pay attention.
I had to do something as my wife fell through the landing last year. Our deck is some nine feet high with a stairway down to a patio below.Does she still talk to you???I hope she is OK.. Never want to hurt a good wife! You may have to cook fer' yourself!We have 'plastic' park bench 'lumber'. It is about 3 inches thick. As far as I remember it is about 5 years old and NO SAG at all. Grey stuff. I went to the village 'Know it all's and asked about what the park district used for the benches in materials. (They are about 4 foot wide on cement supports. One steel bracket in the center that keeps the boards from moving front to back.. No sag at all.The lady looked at me as I was some idiot! I told her I 'WAS' a idiot and had a serious question and she turned me over to the park Super. He was sleeping in his office!I went back to the park and all the tags for the company that put it in were removed? Probably some kids usin' em fer beer bottle openers!
People who build a lot of composite decks say that Trex will sag over joists at anything more than 12" OC. BruceT
Oh, twelve inches. That is worse yet. I''m sure the spacing is at least sixteen. Wish I had put on boards.
Sagging is mostly associated with heat, especially direct sun exposure, so your covered porch may work out ok at 16" OC.
BruceT
I've encountered metal bits inside Trex, and they'd probably be hard on planer blades. Trex is largely recycled materials, and perhaps some metal gets included.
Handy,
Ok I'll bite (forestgirl).
Just make sure you plane them broads with the grain. Going against the grain of broads is never pleasant!
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
I've never tried running any 'broads' through my planer - I'm sure any of the Michigan 'broads I know would complain rather loudly.
P.S. to Bob - With or against the grain!
Frosty
"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922
Frosty,
When you're as old as I am you never go against the grain whether they're slim or knot. I have always felt sorry for the early worm.
Gotta like your signature/tag line!
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
"I have always felt sorry for the early worm."
Remember, It's the early bird who gets the worm..... But it's the second mouse that gets to eat the cheese" !!!
Edited 9/17/2007 9:30 am ET by rwjiudice
yeah it works.
I've used Trex and Veranda. it's tough on blades, and loud too!
I made up 3 set's of door jambs out of the stuff with no problems.
Bill
I have tried planing composite decking material through a planer. It works but it doesn't look attractive when you're done.. The composite decking I was using was Trex and if you look at the end of the board you will notice that there are two layer's of the composite in the mixture... The middle is a thick mixture of composite while the edges of the board are a finer granulated layer.... When you plane away the finer granulated layer you expose the thick middle layer and it looks terrible.... So I guess it would depend on what type of composite decking you're using but it would have to be a consistent granule throughout the board to look right in the end.
mike
Handy, I hope you don't feel we're making fun of you, per se. I just love typos and where they can lead sometimes.
Handy, old son, be aware that you will get serious snipe if you put old broads through the planer.
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