Replies

1. 
   milegu | Jun 17, 2004 01:25am | #1

   Should plane out just fine. The book says you can take up to an eighth inch per pass, but that's "whooey" with a portable planer. With mine, I take a 32nd inch at a pass whether it's Cedar, Oak, or White Pine. No sense in taxing your machine's motor. HTH's

   Mike G.

2. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 17, 2004 03:16am | #2

   I don't think I have ever seen a straight 4X 4 in my life, and that will be your biggest problem getting them through a planer.

   Any chance you could run 2 sides through a jointer first? That would solve your problem, but if there is much of a warp to begin with, you'll end up losing a lot of stock.

1. 
   JoeWood | Jun 17, 2004 04:23am | #3

   Watch out for your dust exposure. WRed is notorius for causing delayed allergies.

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Jun 17, 2004 05:53am | #4

   Ditto, gives me a headache.  Easy to work though.Steve

3. 
   WayneL5 | Jun 18, 2004 04:47am | #5

   Will you joint it first to get two flat faces?

   It's the softest wood I've ever worked with so it won't load up the planer.  But, no reason to hurry with just one piece.  You have to be careful handling it because even the slightest bump will dent it.  If you set it down on a wood chip on the bench, the chip will dent the wood.  Only set it on a clean swept surface, and when you are done, wrap it gently in a blanket before transporting.

   I had a reaction to the dust.  Not severe, but uncomfortable, like a mild flu.  It took me several sessions to make the connection because I've never had a reaction to wood (or anything other than seasonal allergies) before.

1. 
   vetterbarn | Jun 21, 2004 03:41pm | #8

   Thanks for your input.  helps alot.

   vetterbarn

4. 
   BobSmalser | Jun 19, 2004 05:18pm | #6

   By all means joint two faces, first.  Other than that, WRC is a joy to work.  You might look at my post on making oars of it for some other ideas.

   If you have an allergy to it...wear a respirator as its the sawdust that gets you.

   “When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think...that a time is to come when those (heirlooms) will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, ‘See! This our father did for us.’ “ --John Ruskin.

1. 
   mitch | Jun 20, 2004 04:29pm | #7

   what is it for?  a few years ago i built a low decorative garden fence- about 30" tall, 150' running length- and didn't want rough cut red western cedar so i planed and sawed everything.  i didn't bother jointing anything because it was just fence posts, stringers and slats.  don't mill it for a deluxe chaise lounge if he's just making a grape arbor- know what i mean?

   btw- the static electricity was phenomenal when ripping.  reddish brown fuzz clinging to everything.  planing wasn't too bad because of the large shavings.

   m