Brilliant idea - Surface planing jig (no routers)

There is a number of these jigs on the web, some with elaborate screw lift mechanisms. While it is more efficient than a router, attaching, leveling, and adjusting the depth of the planer is much more challenging task.
 
I don't get the whole "with a router sled, you're committed to a depth, but this lets you take off a little at a time".

While it's true that not all router sleds have significant depth change ability like the Woodpecker's sled has, it's not like you can't change the bit height with the router itself on a router sled.  For that matter, their 4-screw adjustment mechanism would work just the same if you had a router installed as the planer...

Or am I too naïve to understand?
 
I picked up on that too. I think they just stated things badly. Even though it’s doable, it’s probably harder to adjust the router in 1/64 / 1/2mm increments than the planer.
Much depends on the particular router too, and whatever sled it’s in, I guess.
 
Maybe they live in a place where plunge routers don't exist? 

I think an OF2200 has more adjustment than any planer.

Once set up, the planer rig probably does things faster.
 
The YT example is a shipwright. They have more use for a planer than a router.
 
Leo the owner of the boat has a multitude of good ideas and is a master craftsman in boat building and the joinery required on quite a large scale. I have never seen anyone scarf a joint better than he can starting with a chain saw and ending with a hand plane. It is being built in Port Townsend in the US north east, I have been following it since the series started and would recommend it to anyone who has any sort of interest in woodworking or boats.
 
Mini Me said:
Leo the owner of the boat has a multitude of good ideas and is a master craftsman in boat building and the joinery required on quite a large scale. I have never seen anyone scarf a joint better than he can starting with a chain saw and ending with a hand plane. It is being built in Port Townsend in the US north east, I have been following it since the series started and would recommend it to anyone who has any sort of interest in woodworking or boats.

Need to check that out and it sounds like he should be in the wood working yt thread if he is not already.

Thank you.
 
I have seen multiple articles in which people used a sled and a thickness planer to get one side of a slab flat. Since the boat builder owns a thickness planer, why is that not a better option for him?
 
Stan Tillinghast said:
I have seen multiple articles in which people used a sled and a thickness planer to get one side of a slab flat. Since the boat builder owns a thickness planer, why is that not a better option for him?

I believe the idea is that it's easier to flatten the first side to create the reference face if you leave the piece stationary and use the tool to flatten it.  Once it's flattened, it's easier to get through the thickness planer.

It's possible to only use the thickness planer (plenty of people do), it's just that they might need to make a special jig for each and every piece to keep it supported and flat while going through to create the reference side.  For cupped or warped pieces, it's probably easier to use the hand planer on a sled for the first side and then follow with the thicknesser.
 
squall_line said:
Stan Tillinghast said:
I have seen multiple articles in which people used a sled and a thickness planer to get one side of a slab flat. Since the boat builder owns a thickness planer, why is that not a better option for him?
I believe the idea is that it's easier to flatten the first side to create the reference face if you leave the piece stationary and use the tool to flatten it.  Once it's flattened, it's easier to get through the thickness planer.
It's possible to only use the thickness planer (plenty of people do), it's just that they might need to make a special jig for each and every piece to keep it supported and flat while going through to create the reference side.  For cupped or warped pieces, it's probably easier to use the hand planer on a sled for the first side and then follow with the thicknesser.
As a boatbuilder he might also works with large curved pieces that are hard to maneuver through a planer/jointer.
 
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