I got a Ridgid 13" planer last fall for making cutting boards, which has been a huge help. However, I'm still struggling with around a few inches of router snipe no matter how I adjust the feed trays or push the boards through. I've noticed this isn't a big deal with edge grain, but it really shows up after planing the glue faces on end grain strips, leading to gaps when assembling everything. Now that I'm getting back to woodworking for some Adirondack chairs and a coffee table, I want to create large end-grain boards (18x32 inches). Besides needing a router flattening jig, I'm hoping to avoid the snipe issue altogether. Is it just something I have to accept and feed pieces through back-to-back? I feel like I've fiddled with the in/outfeed trays endlessly without success.
3 Answers
Snipe is pretty common with benchtop planers, so don’t feel bad! It happens a lot, especially with end grain, which can crack if not handled carefully. Make sure you’re leaving your boards long when you feed them through. If you run them one after the other without gaps, including a sacrificial board at the end, it might help with the snipe issue.
Adjusting the infeed and outfeed tables slightly can eliminate snipe, but it can be tricky and might not work for every type of wood. With my Dewalt DW734, I’ve ran many end grain pieces without issue. I just take light passes of about .007" and make sure to round the leading and trailing edges to help. Consider using a router sled for large boards, it’s reliable and less likely to cause blowouts if you’re worried about your planer.
I agree about the router sled! It allows for more control, and it might save you some headache when working with those larger pieces.
If you’re tired of dealing with snipe, just run some scrap pieces at the beginning and end of the board. Let the snipe affect those, so your main piece comes out clean. It’s worked for me every time, and it saves a lot of hassle in the long run!
Good point! I like the idea of using a sacrificial board. That way, the snipe gets cut off without ruining the main workpiece.