Like anything else, the wood planer had its origins, which trace back to the medieval period. During this time, wood planers consisted of wood and a metallic blade. In addition, the Romans used hand planers that were similar to modern versions in appearance. Muscle strength and blades were relied upon to get the job done in the past.
Leonard Bailey is credited with introducing hand planers with iron-cast bodies during the 19th century, eventually serving as the prototype for contemporary planers.
More and more planer manufacturers are transitioning towards electric or power planers in the modern era. Consequently, the market now offers new electric wood planers with spinning blades.
The Benefits of a Wood Planer
Wood planers offer undeniable advantages. They provide the opportunity to alter the thickness of any workpiece to suit one’s particular requirements and are a potent weapon in a carpenter’s toolbox. Consequently, it is worth examining the advantages of employing a wood planer.
1. Saves You Time and Money
Investing in a wood planer can alleviate a great deal of shopping-related anxiety. This is because you can purchase rough timber and customize it to meet your desired thickness or level of smoothness rather than searching for specific specifications. This approach could save you money.
By using a wood planer, it is possible to save money and repurpose old lumber while also preserving its unique grain. Additionally, if you come across an old piece of wood that has been neglected, a wood planer can help you quickly flatten its surface and make it usable once again. Later in this post, I will provide further details on this topic.
2. Reclaim Old Wood
Wood planers are also wood recyclers. But, the process is more complex. First, remove all nails, hinges, screws, or any metal on the wood. If you don’t do this, your planer will get damaged—and you won’t get the best out of it.
As long as the wood is of good quality, it can be reclaimed from various sources, such as doors, furniture, and worn-out logs.
How Does Wood Planer Work
Whether you are new to woodworking or an experienced craftsman, a wood planer should be prioritized as an essential tool in your workshop. This is because a wood planer can be helpful in almost every woodworking project, particularly when it comes to achieving consistent thickness for different pieces of wood that will be utilized in your creations.
The wood planer is quite helpful when you are short on money for finished wood or are struggling to acquire the proper workpiece for your project. Provided the wood isn’t warped, the planer can consistently produce the precise thickness required for your upcoming woodworking venture.
A wood planer is ideal for salvaging reclaimed wood, although alternatives like a belt sander are available. The wood planer is the most effective tool in this field and should be your preferred option for achieving a smooth finish on any wooden surface.
What is the operational mechanism of a wood planer?
You have the choice between manually planing wood using your muscles with certain planer types or using engine-controlled power planers to plane your lumber.
If you are fond of power planers, you will likely have to choose between handheld, benchtop, or stationary versions. However, regardless of the option you select, the mechanism for power planers remains essentially the same.
Initially, the wood is inserted into the planer before being seized by the roller and sent through a spinning cutter that trims the timber’s surface. This operation can be repeated until the desired level of sleekness, thickness, and evenness is achieved.
The Types of Wood Planer Available
Initially, the wood planer comprised a metal blade and a wooden block. Nowadays, several woodworking companies offer diverse wood planers to cater to different needs. Hence, we can divide wood planers into two key groups; manually-operated and electrically-powered.
Manual Planer
The following are the various kinds of hand planers.
Hand Planer
The most ancient planers in the market are hand planers, consisting of a wooden body and a sharp metal plate. By running the tool along the surface of a piece of wood, it shaves down any elevated areas and creates a polished finish.
Furthermore, you can regulate the depth of the cut and manage your planing; however, this form of planing necessitates physical force.
Two-handed Planer/ Spokeshave
As the name implies, the two-handed planer comes with two handles like a motorcycle—so you can exert more muscle power with your two hands. In contrast to the hand planer, the two-handed planer is made to make round items, like the name implies, spokes.
The two-handed planer is adept at shaping corners smoothly and effortlessly. Furthermore, the blade depth can be modified to achieve a more substantial cut.
Combination RASP/ Surform Plane
The Surform is a planer that molds into the shape of a plane and works similarly to a cheese grater by shaving the top layer of timber one by one. The Surform’s exceptional adaptability allows it to work on other surfaces, such as soft metals, rubber, fiberglass, and plastic.
Hand Scraper
By pulling, the hand scraper evens out any unevenness on a surface, which sets it apart from other manual wood planers that employ various mechanisms. Furthermore, if the pushing mechanism isn’t satisfactory, the hand scraper provides an alternative solution.
Flat Plane Bottom-edged Wood Hand Planer
If you have a lot of cutting and trimming, there may be better options than this planer, as it is the smallest manual wood planer listed.
It enables you to shave off pieces of the workpiece gradually. In addition, its small size allows you to observe your shaping task’s advancement. Moreover, it is among the most reasonably priced handheld wood planers available.
Electric Planer
Manual planers are usually slow, so you’ll likely get worn out easily. However, if you’re not slow-paced, you’ll love electric planers. An electric planer gets the job done fast. Plus, you can adjust them to cut at the proper depth and speed.
Handheld Planer
Smooth surfaces can be achieved faster and more efficiently by using an electric handheld planer equipped with a spinning blade. This makes the electric planer more user-friendly than a manual planer.
Benchtop Planer
The benchtop planer, or a thickness planer, is a tool used in woodworking to achieve an even thickness across wooden surfaces by shaving off layers. This particular planer is ideal for working with small lumber pieces; however, intricate and delicate work can be challenging.
Molding Planer
If you require a woodworking device that can act as a planer and molder, the molding planer is ideal for you. A molding planer is a tool that can perform both tasks effectively, and it is handy for experienced woodworkers who deal with numerous industrial and strenuous assignments.
Stationary Planer
When it comes to arduous tasks, it is necessary to have durable tools; this is where the fixed planer becomes indispensable. The fixed planer is the ultimate tool to achieve a polished finish for your woodworking projects, although it may cost more than the other planers and demand a significant budget.
Material and Setup
To ensure the proper use of a wood planer, it’s crucial first to assess the material to be worked with and set it up correctly. Typically, the appropriate materials for wood planing include hardwood and softwoods.
Understanding the proper size of material in the planer is a crucial aspect. Exceeding the thickness limits suggested by the manufacturer can cause harm to the machine or lead to unsafe conditions. For instance, processing hardwoods over 0.75 inches thick will require several planer passes. Additionally, strictly adhering to the manufacturer’s safety directions is essential while configuring the machine.
Before using the wood planer, inspect all the animating parts, including blades and feed rollers, for their proper functionality after plugging in the machine. Wear suitable safety equipment such as a dust mask and protective eyewear since the debris dispersed by the device could be hazardous while operating. After completing the setup, you can commence operating your wood planer. The subsequent section will guide you through the step-by-step procedure of using a wood planer correctly, with easy-to-follow instructions and valuable suggestions.
Feeding and Cutting
Understanding the mechanics of a wood planer is crucial when it comes to Feeding & Cutting. To achieve precise and safe results, it’s vital to refer to the manual that accompanies your planer. The initial step involves feeding the wood into the machine while being cautious of the cutting area to avoid any finger injuries. Before proceeding, ensure that the wood is straight and perfectly squared.
Before running the board through the planer, use a jointer or other straightening method if any twists or curves are present. Once the wood has been secured, adjust the depth setting of the planer as necessary and start it up. Knives will remove any high points inside the machine and leave behind a smooth surface as the workpiece moves through the infeed and outfeed rollers. To ensure an even cut on both sides, it may be necessary to run the board through the planer twice and use support boards between passes to maintain its square shape. Always clear any shavings before moving on to the next board to avoid interfering with upcoming cuts and causing damage. By following these steps and taking safety precautions, such as wearing protective eyewear, you can consistently achieve excellent results in your woodworking projects.
Feed Pressure
It is crucial to consider feed pressure while utilizing a wood planer. To ensure proper operation of the planer, the feed rate should be set with enough force to grip the material on the rollers. Excessive pressure can lead to chipping or marking; insufficient pressure may result in uneven slipping and planing. The necessary pressure level is dependent upon the material being planed. Softwoods necessitate less pressure compared to hardwoods due to their ease of machining. However, even when working with softwoods, it is necessary to apply enough pressure to keep the material secured between the rollers. When altering feed directions or blades, it is crucial to consider that the required pressure will differ based on material type and cutter head size.
Before starting any cutting operation, it’s crucial to consider various factors, such as the size of the cutter head and the feed rate. Additionally, most modern wood planers come with electronic feed controls allowing experienced users to adjust speed and pressure levels during operation. This feature enhances control and optimization of feed pressures leading to desirable outcomes.
Thank you.
