Kelali Kev
Well-known member
Any recommendations for a reasonably priced electric thickness planer?
Not really of use in instrument building in my opinion.
If you want to hog wood off on a thickness drum sander eg: Jet 10-20...Just fit it with the 36G sanding belt and turn the dust extractor full on 6mm a pass no problem.I've been glancing at this thread wondering how a thickness planer fits into a luthier's shop. If I want something significantly thinner I resaw it. If I want it only a little thinner, I put it through the drum sander (which tends to handle figured or very thin wood much better than a planer). And I also have a router planing fixture for times when neither of those methods work. I've never even thought about needing a thickness planer. What are you all using planers for?
I have an old Makita planer...thickness adjustments are hit and miss...I need a drum sander I can dial in...looking at (saving up for ) the super max 19-38...any users out there?If you want to hog wood off on a thickness drum sander eg: Jet 10-20...Just fit it with the 36G sanding belt and turn the dust extractor full on 6mm a pass no problem.
I have the Super Max 19-38 and I can't recommend it enough. It has become one of the most used tools in my shop besides my band saw. I was leery of the cantilevered design, but I've used it for wider table tops, following the instructions, and it's worked great. The drum is mounted very rigidly and the height adjustment is very smooth. I have taken hardwood (maple, walnut) down to veneer thickness (0.8 mm in the photo). With a proper dust collection system connected, there is no dust in the air.I have an old Makita planer...thickness adjustments are hit and miss...I need a drum sander I can dial in...looking at (saving up for ) the super max 19-38...any users out there?
I’d resaw it thinner, either from the start, or if you’re bringing it in already milled, I’d still pass it through my bandsaw - 1/4” is thick enough to cut a 1/16” veneer (if you needed it), and end up with a 1/8” starting point to joint plates.hi! rehashing this old thread. seems like planers aren’t recommended but i was wondering what would be in this situation.
I do have the Jet 10-20 drum sander and it works fine taking wood down for top/back/sides. however i sometimes get luthier wood that is pretty thick (example .24”) and that just takes sooo long on the drum sander to get it down to .08-.09. i came here hoping a small planer would help get the .24” down to .1”-ish.
anyway what do you all recommend for a small garage workshop to help with this. or just stick with the drum sander and burn through sand paper?
thanks. right now i have the worlds smallest grizzly bandsaw, maybe it’s time to upgrade that.I’d resaw it thinner, either from the start, or if you’re bringing it in already milled, I’d still pass it through my bandsaw - 1/4” is thick enough to cut a 1/16” veneer (if you needed it), and end up with a 1/8” starting point to joint plates.
thanks. right now i have the worlds smallest grizzly bandsaw, maybe it’s time to upgrade that.
so you’re saying on your bandsaw you’re able to resaw a 1/4” thick plate accurately enough to then pass it through the drum sander after.