As a professional woodworker, it is easy to decide upon buying an additional tool. But, for a newbie, it often gets confusing. Today, our focus is on one such tool. We will discuss if you need a thickness planer for woodworking projects.
So, if you are confused about whether you need the Planer, let me tell you it could be a valuable tool. It can be one of the most reliable tools in your shop. Essentially, a bench-top wood planer is vital for your next woodworking project.
It is an efficient tool that saves you money and improves your skills in woodworking. Adding the thickness planer would be the best decision.
By the end of this article, you will be clear on many things. You will know what a thickness planer is in woodworking when to use it, and how;
Table of Contents
What is a Thickness Planer?
A thickness planer in woodworking is a tool to get precise thickness measurements. The tool helps in furniture making, cabinet making, or flooring. The woodworkers use it to transform rough lumber into smooth, evenly thick boards.
How Does a Thickness Planer Work?
It is simple. Insert the rough-cut board into the planer. It automatically shaves off the extra layer of the wood to give you the required thickness level.
The planer contains sharp-bladed or cutting heads that spin. You get rid of the excess material with each spin. It also allows you to adjust the thickness settings. As a result, it becomes easy to get the required results.
Now that you know what a thickness planer is and how it works, let us move to the reasons why you need a thickness planer;
6 Reasons Why You Need Thickness Planer
Saves Money
Immediately, it might not attract woodworkers to save money with a thickness planer. It is because of the apparent initial cost. However, over time, you will find a valuable investment. It is because you can mill your wood. There is no need to invest in costlier options. Hence, you can save a percentage of your money. So, if you are a woodworker with many pending projects, the wood Planer could save you a lot of money.
Precise Thickness
Thickness planer is a reliable tool that allows you to flatten boards precisely. You can use it in projects that need glued panels. You might fail to buy suitable lumber with the desired thickness from the market. So, having a tool helps achieve precise and consistent thickness for every project piece. As a result, you get aligned parts every time. It is because you have the tool at the shop and know how to achieve the exact measurements.
Flattening Surfaces and Glue-Ups
You can use the thickness planer to create flat surfaces. It is vital for larger projects, wooden slabs, and detailed glue-ups. It is possible to flatten one side of the board belt sander or hand plane, but you cannot achieve a parallel surface without a planer.
Utilize Your Own or Local Lumber
When you have a planer, you can work with your lumber or from another woodworker. Hence, it becomes easy to get high-quality lumber. It helps when you don’t have many options regarding the surfaced lumber in your area. Additionally, getting the lumber from the market may not ensure quality.
Tailored Precision & Quality Control
It is an ideal tool to get precise thickness for your projects. You can get various customized thicknesses for your wood projects. Hence, it is not limited to one standard size. Instead, you can adjust the thickness you wish to achieve.
Additionally, it ensures consistent quality. You can get rid of imperfections and flatten the warped board. It is the best tool to create a precise and uniform surface.
Innovative Possibilities
A planer in your projects opens the ways of innovation in woodworking. You can create unique projects. For example, you can use barn wood and level the sharp points with the planer. As a result, you can achieve smooth look for the material. Hence, you can take any material and give new life to them.
What Does a Planer Do?
A planer is a simple woodworking tool to achieve the desired thickness of boards. It helps in creating flat and smooth wooden surfaces. Planers are vital for dimensioning lumber. Moreover, you can use it to achieve uniform thickness across different boards. They help you achieve flat and smooth surfaces for your woodworking projects. Hence, you can use them to create furniture or other necessary pieces.
When Should I Use a Planer?
You can use Planer in your projects related to woodworking. Let us see when you should use a planer;
Milling Rough-Cut Lumber
It is the best tool to achieve uniform thickness for rough-cut lumber. You can achieve consistent thickness across all your boards.
Thickness Reduction
Use it when you want to achieve the desired level of thickness. You may surface boards at the shop, but they might not be slightly thicker than the needed ones. Then, use a planer to get the desired thickness.
Creating Flat Surfaces from Glue-Ups
You can use a planer to level and smooth the glued-up surfaces. It is the best way to achieve flat surfaces quickly. Hence, you can get a uniform and smooth surface for the glued-up panel.
Planer – FAQ
Can I Buy a Used Thickness Planer?
You can invest in a used Planer but don’t miss the following points. Make sure you invest in a well-maintained machine. It would serve you well for the coming years.
Storage is another essential consideration. It should be rust-free. If it meets these qualities, it is a safe investment.
How Do I Maintain A Planer?
It is vital to maintain your planer well. Therefore, we cannot afford to ignore the regular maintenance. Keep the blades sharp. Also, make sure you remove the dust and debris from the planer. More importantly, check the alignment and tension of belts and rollers frequently.
What Safety Precautions Should I Take When Using A Planer?
Ensure you don’t forget the precautions to maintain your safety. Use a planer while keeping the safety measures in mind. Wear eye and ear protection and avoid loose clothing or jewelry.
Are There Any Alternatives To Using a Planer?
You can use alternatives such as hand planes, sanding machines, or outsourcing thickening tasks to a sawmill or woodworking shop. However, it is better to use a Planer for optimal results.
Conclusion
Hence, a Planer in woodworking is essential in achieving smooth and flat surfaces on boards. You will see it used in many of your woodworking projects. You can use them to create different masterpieces. Also, the Planer does its job well if you use it accurately.
For professionals, there is no ambiguity regarding the planer and its functionalities. Newbies, however, may not be much aware. But, this article successfully covered everything about the Planer. You should now know what a planer is, what a planer does, and what the uses of a planer in woodworking are.
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