Jointing and Planing – Metro Atlanta
I live on the north side of Atlanta and don’t currently have adequate space for a well outfitted shop. I am about to undertake an above-the-desk shelf project for my home office (to hold speakers, cams, etc.) but I don’t have a jointer or planer needed to flatten and square the wood planks for the shelf.
The pieces are long because of the design requirement. I need to joint, plane, and rip two 8/4 rough hard maple boards to the following finished sizes: 1-1/4 x 10-1/2 x 96 and 1-1/4 x 9-1/4 x 96. I also need to joint, plane, and rip one 4/4 rough hard maple board to 1/2 x 9-1/4 x 96. I have a track saw, so I can do the ripping after the other 3 sides are square and flat, but a table saw would sure make the process easier.
The job is so small I haven’t been able to find any commercial shop willing to handle it. Is there anybody here that has the equipment in their shop that would be willing to help, or does anyone know of anybody else in the area that has the needed equipment in their shop that might be willing to help?
I thought about using S4S but so far I haven’t been able to find any local lumber supplier that can provide it to the right thickness (which is important to the tight space). I’m open to any suggestions.
Replies
I live in East Cobb, close to Roswell. I have a tablesaw and surface planer but no jointer, sorry.
Have you tried reaching out to Atlanta Hardwoods in Mableton or Peach State Lumber in Kennesaw to see if they'll joint and surface the boards for you? They both carry a broad selection of lumber and are usually very helpful.
Have you tried your local Woodcraft or Rockler store? Sometimes they will rent shop time or do the work for a fee. Normal rates are $50-$100 per hour. What you've described is likely less than an hours work.
Have you checked out Roswell Firelabs? It’s makers shop that has a jointer and planer along with a CNC and many other tools. A $50 per month membership fee will get you unlimited access to the shop.
Thank you, jkatzowitz. I did inquire with Peach State Lumber. I'll have to check my notes, but I think they were a no go (too small a job for the millwork). I have not checked with Atlanta Hardwoods but will put them on the list.
Beasley7, I hadn't even considered Woodcraft or Rockler. I'll check out those options. Thank you.
Jim2817, that looks like a really interesting place worth checking out more. Thank you for the suggestion.
You're welcome StoneHammer. Let us know how you make out, I'm curious to see if any of those places can accommodate you.
I needed a planer for a 15x37 tabletop. Looked everywhere until I found one at a local high school that still has a woodshop. I paid them $3/minute. The whole process cost me $3. Just a thought.
Mikaol
You might check with these folks - Woodworkers Guild of GA. http://www.wwgofga.com/ They normally meet at Woodcraft of Alpharetta. You can talk to the folks at Woodcraft, 770-587-3372 for more help with this challenge. Woodcraft - 8560 Holcomb Bridge Rd., Suite 115
Alpharetta, GA 30022
PS: I don’t work for Woodcraft - just a retired old woodhacker who likes sawdust....
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