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Right; I was just explaining my desire to experiment with 120 for spruce. It's an attempt to tame the scratches before I start the hand work.

I think we talking past each other. I thought u were thinking of 30 on spruce. U could do that, but 80 then 120 way better. 30 is good for hardwood. Especially oily. On dry wood, 80 works fine, if a bit slow. But when I tried Coco or ABW, omg. Not good. I bought that blue klingspor 30 and never looked back.

A planer with a Shelix would avoid final step of sanding out those gouges. But I’m unwilling to try it. Some of my wood sets cost half a good drum sander. I realize Kevin et al are getting good results. But I’m unconvinced teaching that to newbies is a good idea. And, guitar builders will use a drum sander for WAY more reasons than thinning.

Besides thinning, I use my drum sander for fine dimensioning of binding. Thinning of bridge plate. Dimensioning of braces. Rounding of finger boards. Veneer making. Peg head plate thinning. Rosette finalizing. Butt wedge shaping. And on and on.

Most of that not safe in a planer. Guitar builders need a drum sander (modern world),I built dozens before I ever bought a planer. And I hardly use it. But I do love my planer.

If what I have, all u have, is a planer with a shelix, use it with caveats. But it’s not the most versitile tool a guitar builder can use.