Hello guys, how are you?
I’m very new to woodworking (was looking for a new hobby during quarantine) and I have a doubt that I couldn’t get answered anywhere: can I plane a small log slice using a planer?
I have quite a small slice of pine (less than 11.5″ in diameter and 2″ in height) and I was wondering if I could use my bench planer (I have one very similar to the DeWalt DW733 but mine has 1500W instead o 1800W as the DeWalt) to make it flat.
When I tried googling this I only found people using router jigs but in every case, the slice was too big to fit in a small bench planner, so I was wondering if I can put it through the planner or it is dangerous/can damage the planner.
Obs.: I’ve read some stuff that passing end grain through a planner may cause major kickbacks, but it’s (according to what I read, please correct me if I’m wrong) safe if you are patient and do a lot of small passes. I’m already used to doing from 1/40″ to 1/32″ (0.25mm~1mm) each time so, in this case, would it be safe?
Thanks in advance,
Fernando
Replies
If the "slice" of pine a cookie cut from a tree trunk there is no danger to the machine, but you need to support the back of the cookie to keep the maching from tearing it off on exit.
I'm going to predict you are going to get answers all over the board on this one. It could be a little risky, but as long as all of the bark is off, you may want to try it. It would be better if your planer had a helical head, but knives will get the job done. Light cuts is a definite and just in case, don't stand in front of the infeed or outfeed. The other tricky bit might be getting it to sit flat. You might have to rig up a sled to get the first side flat, then flip it over.
I wouldn't attempt it. If you do, find a really safe place to stand.
A safe place to stand is by the power outlet so you can pull the plug when parts start flying.
A 'planer' is actually a thickness planer and will make things uniform thickness, but not necessarily flat.
To make it flat with a thickness planer, you must first make a sled to hold the board in place and keep ti from flexing. The sled should be a stiff, flat board (MDF works fine for things like this). Then you place the wood on the sled and use shims underneath to keep it from rocking (and enough to support the board os it doesn't flex). Make sure it is secured in place (some folks use hot glue). Then, run it through the planer, taking light passes, until it is flat. Then, you can simply flip it over, setting the now flat face down, and run it through to make it evenly thick.
To minimize tear out of the end grain, take the lightest possible passes you can!
Here's a Youtube search of planer sleds: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=thickness+planer+sled+to+flatten+large+slabs
I on MLCSplaned a 2" x 10" dia piece of apple in my planer. Apple's as hard as oak, maybe harder.
If you try it, settle for a 64th" removal on each pass. But first, make sure your planer blades are sharp.
Or, if you can still find one, a drill press planer. I found one on MLCS but that was years ago.
Good luck & be really careful,
Mikaol
I've tried running end grain through a thickness planer without much luck. If I was doing it I would use a belt sander, 60 or 80 grit. But watch out for heat buildup.
How about a low angle hand plane?
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