electric planer flattening jig

[usernumber1]

Is there a commercial version of a jig to hold a planer to flatten slabs? All I can find are router solutions, which is confusing as planer is literally named after the purpose.

If there's nothing out there for a planer, is there anything else that competes with the woodpeckers flattening mill? Need to plane flat some long-ish end grain countertops (8ft)

 

[bobtskutter]

I think I've seen a picture / video of someone using a Triton hand held planner in a jib to flatten boards.  I think it was something to do with boat building, but my google-fu has let me down this morning.

Bob

 

[luvmytoolz]

Most planers don't lend themselves to be fixed in some way at the sides to use in a jig as they would need to be in this case. A router and simple milling jig would really be the best and easiest option I think.

 

[box185]

If there's nothing out there for a planer, is there anything else that competes with the woodpeckers flattening mill? Need to plane flat some long-ish end grain countertops (8ft)

https://tracktubes.com/pages/diy-router-sled-kits-information

 

[woodwise]

I was thinking of the same video:


They mounted the planer in a sled made out of wood.

 

[GoingMyWay]

Here's the video from the previous post:


The full URL (youtube.com) and not the shortened URL (youtu.be) needs to be used in order for the video to load properly on the forum.

 

[Sparktrician]

If there's nothing out there for a planer, is there anything else that competes with the woodpeckers flattening mill? Need to plane flat some long-ish end grain countertops (8ft)

https://tracktubes.com/pages/diy-router-sled-kits-information

That's a great solution, but note that the kit comes with 72" rails (when it is released), meaning you get less than that in flattening length, and you need about 9' rails to flatten an 8' countertop.  That said, you can buy some Douglas fir 2 x 6 or 2 x 8 stock and make your own rails to the length you need.  You can also make your own flattening jig setup.  Check out the one I built.  Mine was designed for the OF 2200, but handles the OF 1400 quite well.  YMMV...  [smile]

 

[mattgam]

While not slab specific this video and several others from this channel show how to make jigs for electric planer's

 

[kevinculle]

It's called a jointer and it is an indispensable tool particularly if you want to take advantage of roughsawn lumber.

 

[woodferret]

Need to plane flat some long-ish end grain countertops (8ft)

Router is your safest bet.

 

[usernumber1]

Thanks guys. fair point about the end grain.

Not looking to build one so looks like woodpeckers is the only game in town. maybe the carriage can be adapted for a festool hl 850 / wonder if their team would have some suggestions.
Little surprised nobody has come up with this yet for purchase. The Japanese youtuber had 4 solutions there but I can see how the mounting really is the crux. The boat building video was quite a solution. I thought it was going to be just some wood box

So the router bits for flattening, seems like choices of larger bits - amana 57136 / amana RC-2255 / whiteside 46220. Are any of these preferable for end grain? or some other bits we should consider?

 

[Roachmill]

Andy over at Manor Wood on YouTube did a series of slab flattening jig videos with the TakeOneToo sled looking really good. He has a playlist covering his adventures with it:
playlist is here.
It could be worth a look if you've money to spend... you're on the FOG so [big grin]

It appears to be available in North America via https://totsled.com/ and the RoTW via https://www.takeonetoo.com/.

I'm not affiliated with ToT nor have I ever used it - so please take this as an option rather than a recommendation. It does look the mutt's nuts though!

 

[rmwarren]

I've done 3-4 slab tables and have several slabs awaiting their final destinies. Always loved the live edge slab esthetic, however...

Personally I'm reaching my saturation point. Makes me wonder (1) what happens to all the beautiful slabs if/when people's tastes change and (2) whether there will be tons of flattening jigs available on Craigslist? [scratch chin]

And hairpin legs...

RMW

 

[rvieceli]

[member=68525]usernumber1[/member] Take a look at this sled. Very nice. I follow him on Instagram. Uses linear rails and bearings. VERY scalable.
https://www.cleancutwoodworking.com/

Ron

 

[jeffinsgf]

Is there a commercial version of a jig to hold a planer to flatten slabs? All I can find are router solutions, which is confusing as planer is literally named after the purpose.

If there's nothing out there for a planer, is there anything else that competes with the woodpeckers flattening mill? Need to plane flat some long-ish end grain countertops (8ft)

The red italic statement in the quote is the #1 reason you DO NOT want a planer solution. Planers of any type (portable hand planers or stationary planers) do not play nicely with end grain.

 

[Cheese]

The red italic statement in the quote is the #1 reason you DO NOT want a planer solution. Planers of any type (portable hand planers or stationary planers) do not play nicely with end grain.

I've never planed end grain [member=7266]jeffinsgf[/member] ...what happens, does it chip?

If so, then end grain cutting boards need to be flattened on a Time Saver?

 

[jeffinsgf]

"Chip" is a pretty significant understatement. Depending on species, it's more like "blows all to hell". Spiral segmented heads may be better, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it (or risk trying it with my planer).

Commercially, yes, end grain cutting boards are sent through a wide belt sander. We of the Rotex cabal have a pretty good small shop solution, in my opinion. If it's way out, something like the Slab Flattening Mill would be my approach.

 

[squall_line]

No offense to Woodpecker's, but they're certainly not the only game in town for router flattening jigs.

TOT, as someone else posted.

Clean Cut Woodworking uses linear bearings for the cross rails.

True Trac makes a new one with a dust collection similar to WP's

Roll-your-own, of course.

I've wanted to build a small router sled using a pair of the Festool ST sliding tables that are used on the CMS.  I just haven't taken the time over the winter to go all "erector set" on it and try to figure out the best way to do it.

 

[usernumber1]

You're absolutely right, I don't know why I thought I would get away planing end grain. The festool hl 850 has diagonal cutters and the few times I did it with very few light passes to take out some bumps on oak; well I think I got lucky more than anything.

I think in my mind I got side swiped by thoughts of flattening large pieces quickly I neglected to consider the material choice.

I like The totsled - looks like a complete solution with the self supporting frame option. That seems to be the only one that does not require setting up large work areas or table supports.