I'm planning to create around 150 cedar balusters, each measuring 36 inches by 6 inches. I'm torn between finally getting a bench-top planer I've been eyeing for a while or just sticking with a handheld electric planer and sanding the rest of the boards. I really only need to work on one side of each board, and I don't currently own a jointer. I'm also considering re-sawing on the table saw, but that feels a bit intimidating. What do you think is the best approach for this project?
3 Answers
If you're making 150 boards, I’d say go for the bench-top planer. It’ll save you a ton of time and give you consistent results, which is super important for such a big project. Plus, with that amount of lumber to work through, the investment will definitely pay off in the long run!
Just a heads up, if you're going with handheld tools, think about how you’ll secure all those boards while working. It can get pretty time-consuming to clamp or swap them out constantly. Make sure you have a solid plan!
I think this is a great opportunity to grab that bench-top planer. Doing 150 boards is no small task, and it’ll definitely be easier to manage if you have the right tools. As long as it fits your budget, I’d say go for it!