Discard the metal tables that included your planer and do this rather. Seriously, it's way much better – a real upgrade.
Before I made the initial, I had a severe issue during the winter with slipping on the feed rollers. Ended up the smooth, polished metal bed of the planer had too much friction and the feed rollers couldn't grip the stock all right to push it through. Altering to the melamine table resolved that perfectly. In truth, it did such a terrific task of repairing that problem, I practically forgot it!
Doesn't have to be expensive or intricate – the table can be longer if you require it – but the huge thing is that it fasts and simple to set up and take off, and does not take up a great deal of space in the shop.
It doesn't prevent snipe, however no feed table arrangement will for these small planers. To stop snipe, you need to have constant feed so that stock is under BOTH rollers when the cutter is cutting. I use a sacrificial piece of stock to feed in before I send in the stuff I wish to aircraft, which sacrificial piece takes the snipe. I made a video revealing the method and you can see that here:
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Throw away the metal tables that came with your planer and do this instead. Seriously, it’s way better – a true upgrade.
Before I made the original, I had a serious problem during the winter with slipping on the feed rollers. Turned out the smooth, polished metal bed of the planer had too much friction and the feed rollers couldn’t grip the stock well enough to push it through. Changing to the melamine table SOLVED that perfectly. In fact, it did such a great job of fixing that problem, I almost forgot about it!
Doesn’t have to be fancy or complex – the table can be longer if you need it – but the big thing is that it’s quick and easy to install and take off, and doesn’t take up a lot of room in the shop.
It doesn’t prevent snipe, but no feed table arrangement will for these small planers. To stop snipe, you need to have continuous feed so that stock is under BOTH rollers when the cutter is cutting. I use a sacrificial piece of stock to feed in before I send in the stuff I want to plane, and that sacrificial piece takes the snipe. I made a video showing the method and you can watch that here:
https://youtu.be/Ssvzv2TKBMg
Very cool with the pockets and cleats for supports. I do something similar with my router table that attaches to my bench, but at a 90 to the floor not on an angle here, which could have so many uses for so many projects… Yet another invention of yours i will have in my shop buddy!
I have to replace my old melamine as it is too narrow but I have been too lazy to replace it. The support is something that I did not consider. I was given a few pieces of melamine shelving that will need to be trimmed to width. A nice, simple project for a Sunday afternoon.
Thanks Paul 🙂
Awesome ideas! I especially liked the dramatic reenactment of planing a board at the end!
I come to expect practical ideas and implementations from you, John. But what I never take for granted is the light humor.
Thank you for all of those things. Here’s a like and a comment.
Thanks 🙂
Finally, a John Heisz project I can make! ! !!!
Daring today, aren’t we?
If it were me, I would’ve built it with TWO cleats on the underside of the melamine bed, forgetting that I had to put it into the planer. And then, I’m SURE I would’ve built a removable support.
Brilliant idea! I will have to add that feature to my DW735
I’ve been meaning to do something like this with my planer for years! Maybe I’ll actually go do it now.
Great solution John , love the simplicity of it. 👌
Thanks 🙂
Great, simple addition. I’ll have to do this if I ever get around to making a stand for my planer.
Nice! Great idea I’ll be using. Thanks for sharing John.
Pooh. I just bought and installed the metal extensions for mine a few months ago. I do use a melamine sled for jointing, but now I think I’ll add a long bed as well. I especially like the support on the outfeed.
I just got a planer so this is perfect timing! A great low-profile solution.
I’m always curious about videos with “almost done” music towards the end of the video. It tends to take me out of the video because then I’m just anxious for it to end or thinking about what I’m going to watch next. Always wondered what the reasoning is behind it, besides branding.
Simplicity at its best.
Long time fan, John, love all your stuff. Overall a great and simple design that best meets the original intent and design of the lunch box planer.
HAPPY HOLDIAYS!
Very nice planer upgrade John. 👍👍🔨🔨
Perfect simple solution … what else would i expect from you! well done!
John, Thanks for the video. NIce upgrades. Does you sled (old and new) eliminate snipe?
Cool! So simple yet effective. Well done sir.
Hey John. Love your work 👍