Replies

1. 
   Ray | Oct 18, 2006 07:09am | #1

   Use double-sided tape and attach the piece to be planed to a larger board.  Since it will be only 1/8" thick when finished, be careful prying it off.  Some of that stuff holds really well :-(

1. 
   woodscapes | Oct 19, 2006 04:07am | #4

   Thank you, Ray. I know I've read that in FW somewhere, I couldn't find it. Thanks again.

2. 
   user-52008 | Oct 18, 2006 06:10pm | #2

   When I have to plane stock to a 1/8-in. thickness or just want to avoid snipe in thicker stock, I have an auxiliary melamine bed (waxed) that I stick into the planer. It has battens on the underside of both ends to keep it from moving around. By spanning the cutterhead gap in the planer table, it keeps the stock moving smoothly past the knives, so the pressure-feed rollers don’t bend the stock as it enters and exits the cut.

1. 
   Rich14 | Oct 18, 2006 07:35pm | #3

   Bill,

   I do the same thing, but not with Melamine-clad stock. I've found that bare MDF, lightly sanded with 100 grit has less resistance than Melamine. It's especially effective to have a little shop dust on the MDF.

   It's not logical, and doesn't look as nice, but it works.

   Rich

2. 
   woodscapes | Oct 19, 2006 04:27am | #5

   Thank you, Bill. In what direction do the battens run, parallel to the head, or perpendicular? If parallel to the head, what keeps the aux. bed from bending in the middle and making the stock of different thickness in the middle? Also, what holds the stock to the waxed melamine surface?

1. 
   user-52008 | Oct 19, 2006 05:00pm | #6

   The battens are fixed to the underside of the auxiliary bed running parallel to the cutterhead. I dial the bed rollers down so they are not making contact, and the pressure-feed rollers pushing against the stock keep the auxiliary bed tight to the planer bed. The battens on the underside simply keep the auxiliary bed from slipping around in the planer, and the waxed melamine surface reduces friction on the stock as it moves through the cut.

   Rich14 posted an interesting reply about his using sanded MDF instead of melamine. Sounds like his version works just as well or better than mine.

   I've drawn up and will attempt to attach a jpg file of a little sketch that should help to make this clearer.

   
1. 
   woodscapes | Oct 20, 2006 03:09am | #8

   Now I understand. The bed doesn't move; the stock moves over the bed. Thanks, Bill. Thats a great suggestion!

3. 
   micr03 | Oct 20, 2006 01:51am | #7

   Ray's idea is a great one and the one that I would use. To get the double stick tape off , tap shims that come to a point under the wood and give the tape time to release , it will come right off with no damage. I've ripped router bases off with that stuff by pulling it too fast. Good luck micr03

1. 
   woodscapes | Oct 20, 2006 03:11am | #9

   Another good suggestion! Thanks, micr03.