Woodworking question?

Question

I need to get the wood im purchasing level and smooth so I can glue pieces up next to eachother, and so things come out flush. I dont have the money right now for the big boy planer or joiner, but was deciding on the following.

Should I spend the $150 to $200 to get a hand held powered planer, for example the Dewalt DW680K,

-or-

should I get a very nice hand held manual planer and try to become proficient with that.

What do you think? What has your experience been with powered vs. handheld manual. Could you achieve the same results?

Thanks

Answer 1

The first question I'll ask, is this... is the lumber you're buying uniform in thickness?

Next - do you have a router?

You can get a router bit that makes the edges line up more precisely than simply trying to glue 2 flat edges together... a fingerjoint bit would be ideal....creates an extremely strong glue joint, and if youre accurate with your setup, then the top face can be very very flush.

There are also some clamping techniques that help to insure that the wood lines up where you want it, and stays there.

Take a look at these links:
This one has a finger joint bit, and off to the left, you can see some other types of 'locking' joint bits - http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=5710&filter=fingerjoint%20bit
This is a 4-face clamp - http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10711
Ive achieved the same results by using a pair of steel straight edges (square tube steel works pretty well) to make a 'face' clamp, to help align the boards....obviously, the size of the workpiece will mandate some of how this can be done.

You can always check with a local cabinet shop too... to see if they have a Taylor clamp, or widebelt sander. It only takes a few minutes to set up a sander and run the parts thru. (Some schools have small widebelt sanders now too, in their shop classes.)

Good Luck

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Diy Stepbystep Woodworking Course : http://www.WoodWorkingsHappy.com/Help

Answer 4

Both 1 and 2 offer valid suggestions. I'm pretty old school and have hand planes, but they make pretty decent Book Ends too.

Technolgy in the trades is our friend, although knowing basics can't hurt. In fact I have a modest collection of "antique" tools, and it causes one to wonder the effort involved in creating; pre- Industrial Revolution. It's an appreciation or even a passion for the CRAFTS as well as any tools; or advancements. There were no Power Tools when Louis the XIV tables were created.

Certainly issues such as rough cut or obvious warping might stifle the best of us; but creating the Item might be an option to explore first on a small scale; then FINISHING it to a point where it feels like glass when you rub a hand over it.

With time and practice one can become expert at almost anything. Initially one downside to the hand held power tools might still mean dips or rises over a stretch of lumber. It can't hurt to build your useable collection in the process.

Steven Wolf

Answer 5

Personally I would buy hand planes, you could probably get a Smoothing plane and a Jack plane for the price you pay for the power planer. Which ever you choose will require practice and both should produce the same result. On the Zen side there is nothing to compare with the sound a plane makes when it takes off the perfect shaving.

Answer 6

I prefer hand tools. Hand skills are a very good thing to have.
Contrary to popular belief, a person who understands how to use manual planes can be very productive.
You get a much better feel for what's happening with the material with the manual planes.
And I suggest going with a quality hand plane, you won't regret it.
Just remember that electricity took a lot of the work out of work.

Answer 7

I would go with the hand held planer,I seem to have more control over it ...verses the power planer witch good is as well,,but they can get away from you fast ...take off more than you need...and if your not going to use it that often why pay all that cash,,,I understand every time I walk into Lowe's to get 1 thing I end up with 4...lol...hoped this helped..ps ..try the hand held.if it doesn't work for you upgrade

Answer 8

Well you have to think of the time it takes to get proficient with hand held tools be it power or manual. Your results will be hit and miss for a time when you first get started. If your wood isn't too expensive it would be worth it to learn how to use hand held tools but if it is a high dollar wood you could end up costing yourself a lot of money during the learning process.

Answer 9

My daughter made several great things. She made : A planter for Mother's Day Two little benches or small low end tables A puzzle for her little brother The best was and adirandeck chair A door stop A shelf Good luck.

Answer 10

I believe a hand planer can only put out a product as good as the users hand is steady..even though they have perfect surfaces..one wobble can destroy that part of your project..May I suggest..if you are getting a planer for only this project..or a couple a year..go to a local cabinet/wood shop..and let them plane them for you..call around and check prices...some are very cheap