I just splurged on a lunchbox thickness planer and really want to avoid the common beginner mistakes and disasters. What tips or advice do you wish you had when you first started using one?
3 Answers
One key thing is that a thickness planer won't square your lumber; it just reduces thickness. Keep that in mind while you're working!
Don’t use reclaimed wood unless you’re sure there's no hidden metal like nails or screws. I learned the hard way and nicked my blades a couple of times. If you do use reclaimed wood, bring a metal detector and give it a thorough check. Otherwise, you might end up with serious damage and extra work.
Absolutely! I’ve been there too. A tiny metal piece can ruin your whole planing session.
To extend the life of your blades, avoid removing more than 1/16" per pass, especially with hard woods or larger boards. I usually don’t go beyond 1/32" when working on wider boards to prevent overheating the motor, which is crucial.
Totally can't stress that enough!