I'm 72 and just starting out with woodworking while living in an apartment. I can use a miter saw on my balcony, but I can't use an electric planer. Does anyone know if places like Home Depot offer planing services? Is it really necessary to plane the surface for a coffee table top made from 2x4s? I'm open to using a hand planer and sanding to make the boards even instead.
3 Answers
If you're up for it, learning to use hand planes could be a fantastic skill! They can pretty much replace a jointer, planer, and sander for most tasks. Just be aware that it’ll take a bit more time and effort, but it can be very rewarding!
Consider reaching out to local cabinet or furniture makers. They often have the necessary equipment and might be willing to plane your wood for a fee. Just remember, you'd need to transport the lumber to their shop and back. Also, check with your building management; sometimes there are utility rooms where you could operate louder tools without bothering anyone.
Home Depot doesn't provide lumber planing services. However, it might be worth contacting local lumberyards or workshops. I’ve had a good experience with my lumberyard; they charge a small fee (around $5-10) for planing, and sometimes they do it for free if you’re a regular customer! You might find a similar situation nearby.