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Has anybody tried using a backing board to plane thin stock?  My 12.5" Delta planer goes down to 1/8".  If I put the stock on a 3/4" piece of plywood will this work or will the planer eat it?  Should I double stick tape it down or will the pressure of the rollers suffice?

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

I have used a backer board and double sided tape for thicknessing backs and sides with some success, however I strongly recommend not using this method. It really gets ugly when a strip of rosewood explodes and throws chunks all over the shop. It's hard on blades as well.
If you can't afford a thickness sander right now, check the local cabinet shops and see if they can do it for you. Otherwise a safety planer and a random orbital sander will get you by untill you can get a thickness sander.

Al

My first attempt at using a safety planer was a bit intimidating.  My Grizzly 14" Drill press has a maximum speed around 3200.  I see that the recommended speed is between 4,000 and 6,000.  Maybe I try planing by hand.

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

OK thanks,  I'll give the safety planer another go.

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

I have to admit to have been one of those that thought I would save $800 and use a Safety planer forever and forgo as long as possible investing in a drum sander,

I finally broke down and bought one, actually two. I have had mine now for maybe 4 months I have to say I should have bought them years ago. One is 16-32 and the other a 10-20. For the hobbyist luthier a 10-20 is probably good enough And it can be bought for less than two LN hand planes. A drum sander really is the best tool for thicknessing tonewood.

If you don't have one my advise is get one or two.

Michael, I agree.  I spent several hours setting up my drill press for the safety planer.  I got better cuts than in the past, but it still cuts with a shredding action on spruce, and this is a new safety planer.  So I will bite the bullet and buy the Performax 10-20.  I know its going to be really useful. Thanks

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

The key to good "Safety Planing" is sharpen and make sure the blades are seated in a plane with no burrs, and evenly ground.  Could take some set-up time with the planer, probably not more than 15 minutes though.  There is a thread on this in the archives.

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Waddy

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