How to Use a Benchtop Planer – 4 Easy Steps
Are you a woodcutter? Do you feel trouble while using a benchtop planer? At the same time, do you want to know how to use a benchtop planer? If yes, this article is for you. You will be happy to know that it’s really easy to use a benchtop planer; you just need to acquire some proper knowledge of using it.
Basically, a benchtop planer is an inevitable thing for a woodworker. It is not only a thickness planer but also a portable planer as well. This is why you can carry the planer here and there for your better privilege! At the end of the article, you will properly understand how you can use a benchtop planer.
Let’s talk about my benchtop planer experience. When I used a benchtop planer for the first time, I didn’t have any idea of using it. As a result, I was fallen into a dilemma with my planer! Can you guess that moment? In fact, at that time, I was in urgent need of some important information for using the planer properly.
Therefore, I tried and tried to find out the best ways of using a benchtop planer and luckily got a blog with all of the reliable information about using a benchtop planer correctly.
Now, I am going to share with you all of my acquired knowledge step by step so that you can use your own by keeping a smile on your mild face. So, keep reading!
How to Use a Benchtop Planer
Choosing a planer
Well known and top-rated manufacturers offer various kinds of good quality benchtop planers that are suitable for woodworkers as well as builders.
You will be happy to know that most of the planers are compact and comfortable to use. You will get your desired planer with the mesmerizing features, even in your tight budget from today’s market.
You should choose a planer for you from a renowned and worldwide famous brand such as Rockwell, Delta, Dewalt, Makita, Ridgid, and Ryobi.
These brands produce much more organized and efficient thickness planers for their customers. Also, there are some handheld thickness planers available for easy use. So, it’s time to place a planer in your workplace!
Positioning the Equipment
After purchasing a benchtop planer, you should set it up in a place where you feel comfortable to work with it. You should place the planer near a power supply to avoid the interference of the cord in your working area.
As a result, power equipment will remain safer when you plug directly into an outlet. Otherwise, the extension cord may become overheated and make a fire hazard.
At the same time, you need to keep enough free space in front of the planer for feeding lumber and the rear side for the outfeed. You must keep all of the electrical equipment away from plumbing fixtures and pipes also. Make sure the security of the base of the planer from your table. Otherwise, it can be shifted or tipped while using the planer.
Selecting the Materials
The main purpose of using a benchtop planer is to transform inexpensive lumber into fine wooden planks for complicated woodworking. For your benchtop planer, you need to choose the products which are at least 14 inches in length and not smaller than ¾-inch wide as well.
On the other hand, the limiting factor in board length is the remote way, which is allowed on each side of the planer. At the same time, cedar provides a fresh pine scent and brilliant streaks of color. Redwood is strong with a rich tint, and mahogany gives a dark hue.
After completing the process, you can’t believe your eyes to see the outstanding finished product!
Feeding the Machine
Several adjustments are really required for a thickness planer, which determines the ultimate product you intend to produce. Keeping uniform moisture in the wood, lumber will need to be planed on both sides and prevent it from warping.
If you want to get the depth adjustment crank for the desired thickness, you will need to power up the planer. Please remember that when the material starts to get inside the feeder, never switch on the machine.
Generally, the material removal gauge may be set from 1/32 to 1/8-inch, which will need to feed the lumber through the planer more than a single time to achieve the desired thickness.
Always feed on the front side of the machine and never pull the wood piece from the rare side. Make sure to keep the board’s height uniform on both sides of the machine. While operating the planer, you need to wear a safety mask, glasses, and take ear protection to avoid unexpected injuries.
You will need to wear the mask again after finishing this fine material produced by your thickness planer.
Final Verdict
How do you feel after reading this article? I hope you are pleased because you have already got all of the important information that you were searching for eagerly. Most probably, now it is easy and crystal clear for you to use a benchtop planer correctly.
As a practical benchtop planer user, I assure you that you will acquire more knowledge of using when you try to use your planer according to the above steps. Methinks, already you had experienced that, there is a far difference between the two senses- when you started to read this article and after the end of the article.
I hope all of the above important information was very helpful for you. Now, you are ready to start using your benchtop planer with the proper knowledge.
Have a nice time with your benchtop planer! 🙂
