Festool Planer as a Jointer replacement?

[curiousdork]

My shop is relatively small with little to no room for a power jointer.  Currently I'm jointing using a scrub plane (a Stanley 5 1/2C) and it's great in small runs but a total pain my bee-hind when I've got to face joint more than two boards.  As I'm lacking space, would it be advisable to use a power hand planer to do the task of face jointing (I edge joint by hand using my Veritas Bevel Up jointer)?  What obstacles should I expect?  I'm looking at the Festool HL 850 planer.  Thoughts and opinions are greatly welcomed!

 

[sancho57]

Some folks here do it. If ya get the 850 and can find someone selling the bench attachment that turns the hand planer into a bench planer would be better yet.

Some others use the CMS router table to do it. I find the TS 55 with a guide rail works fine to.

 

[ShadyMaple]

Depending on how thick the board are - a TS55 as mentioned will pretty much nail it if you already planed the boards to thickness.

The CMS will do it as well. 

 

[Svar]

I'd rather do it with TS55 or 75. You need long bed to handle longer pieces. HL 850 does not solve this problem. It will be no different from other planers of this size for your application. If you prefer hand planes, get a longer jointer.

 

[tony_sheehan]

Curiousdork, this may be of some interest to you (James is also very good at responding to questions/ comments so if there's anything you need to know, his might be good brains to pick!):-

 

[curiousdork]

I'd rather do it with TS55 or 75. You need long bed to handle longer pieces. HL 850 does not solve this problem. In fact, it will be no different from other planers for this application. If you prefer hand planes, get a longer jointer.

I've no problem using hand planes for edge jointing as I prefer it that way (plus edge jointing is a lot less laborious than face jointing).  My issue is face jointing with my scrub plane.  After two boards I've usually worked up a sweat and, depending on the season, out of breath.  I'm not in the mood to spend thousands of dollars on a power tool I can barely fit in my shop.  I do have a TS 75 with about 130" of track (a 75 and a 55) so I can rip parallel edges if need be.

 

[Svar]

I'd rather do it with TS55 or 75. You need long bed to handle longer pieces. HL 850 does not solve this problem. In fact, it will be no different from other planers for this application. If you prefer hand planes, get a longer jointer.

I've no problem using hand planes for edge jointing as I prefer it that way (plus edge jointing is a lot less laborious than face jointing).  My issue is face jointing with my scrub plane.  After two boards I've usually worked up a sweat and, depending on the season, out of breath.  I'm not in the mood to spend thousands of dollars on a power tool I can barely fit in my shop.  I do have a TS 75 with about 130" of track (a 75 and a 55) so I can rip parallel edges if need be.

Sorry, I misread your original post. I see HL850 in your future.  [big grin]

 

[curiousdork]

Sorry, I misread your original post. I see HL850 in your future.  [big grin]

No worries, homey!    We all do it.  Good to know you see the HL850 in my near future. 

 

[curiousdork]

Curiousdork, this may be of some interest to you (James is also very good at responding to questions/ comments so if there's anything you need to know, his might be good brains to pick!):-

Thanks!  I saw the video and it's a good one indeed.  I like how he augmented his workflow with the power tool.  What makes the HL850 better than the Triton?  I don't know much Triton, honestly.

 

[grbmds]

I have a friend who uses a power planer like the 850 (Triton I think) to do just what you want to do. I originally didn't believe he would get acceptable results, but he tried it and found that he could do it. The biggest problem I see is not getting a truly flat face because the planer will t take off large amount of material quickly. You'd have to definitely keep moving across the surface and have the planer set to a very light cut. It's worth a try (given the 30-day return policy) but on scrap first.

 

[aloysius]

It will be quicker with a power planer.  The 850 has a distinct advantage here as you can vary the depth of cut DURING the cut, unlike others.  Sounds a bit weird I know, but a lot faster than hand planting.

Still not the most effective or accurate method however.

 

[Svar]

The 850 has a distinct advantage here as you can vary the depth of cut DURING the cut, unlike others.

Can't you do the same with other planers by turning the front knob while cutting?

 

[rst]

Have router...will sled.

 

[RussellS]

Enjoyed watching the video about the Triton power planer in comparison to the hand plane.  Only big complaint was him constantly calling his #5 Jack plane a "scrub plane".  I cannot believe someone who has a Youtube channel on hand woodworking does not know what a scrub plane is.  I suppose its possible since scrub planes have not been in the mainstay for as long as he has been alive.  But still Wow, Get An Education, Don't Make False Statements.

 

[Tezzer]

On the video he could have reduced the time even more going across the grain, its more efficient at removing large amounts quickly, but the only downside is the chips are more like rolled up tubes that clog the hose, so you you need to be aware to give it a quick unblock every few minutes

 

[ear3]

It would be doable in combination with a lunch box thickness planer -- use the HL850 to knock out the high spots on the board then run face down through the planer.  Working the board to even thickness on both sides with the HL850 would be a challenge, though.  If you're comfortable doing it by hand, however, you might be up to the challenge. 

 

[aloysius]

The 850 has a distinct advantage here as you can vary the depth of cut DURING the cut, unlike others.

Can't you do the same with other planers by turning the front knob while cutting?

Not as easily, no.  The 850s front handle twistgrip allows quick & easy adjustment on the fly.  The lateral twisting motion of the front knob on others is more likely to throw one off line:  well, that happens to me anyway.  It's just yet another aspect of the excellent design intrinsic to that particular Festo tool.

 

[jzhu]

Jointer and planer are essential tools for woodworking. Without it, you are limited to what you can do.

I just do not think Festool planer can be a jointer replacement. Check the following video, I am sure this nice little jointer/planer combo can fit in your shop, and it won't cost you thousand dollars.
=517s

 

[Birdhunter]

I agree with Svar. I own the 850 with the bench accessory. It's good for quick small work that doesn't require high precision.

The tool generates a great deal of chips and dust so a really good dust extractor with a large diameter hose is necessary.

Based on what I've read of your post, I'd buy a long hand plane from Lie Nielsen.

 

[sancho57]

I think I misread your post to , if I did then this might get help
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festo...e-ts75-and-850-power-plane/msg51746/#msg51746