A planer is a machine commonly found in woodworking shops with many uses and various types. But what is a how does a planer work? We’ll answer this and provide an overview of what a planer is, its common uses, and how to use it safely.
What Is a Planer?
A planer is a power tool used in lumber yards and by carpenters, joiners, and other woodworking professionals. It helps them create a smooth, flat surface on a piece of wood, reduce the thickness of wood, even out the thickness of a piece of warped wood.
Planers come in various sizes and shapes, with different blade widths and angles. Some even have adjustable depth stops to allow the user to control the depth of the cut and prevent the tool from removing too much material at once.
Common Uses of a Planer
As a versatile woodworking tool, you can use a planer in a wide range of applications, such as:
- Smoothen Rough Lumber: Since rough lumber often rough-sawn, it has an uneven surface with bumps, ridges, and other imperfections. Planers can remove these imperfections and create a smooth and even surface that is ready for further processing.
- Resurface Wood Boards: Planers can also resurface wood boards that have been damaged or worn over time. By removing a thin layer of wood from the surface, planers can restore the board to its original smoothness and remove any scratches, dents, or other imperfections.
- Create Decorative Profiles: Using specialized blades, you can also use planers to create decorative profiles and shapes on the edges of boards. Planers can create a wide range of profiles, from simple bevels to complex coves and ogees.
- Trim Doors and Windows: By removing a small amount of material from the edges of the door or window, planers can ensure that it fits perfectly within the frame and operates smoothly.
- Create Chamfers and Bevels: Chamfers and bevels are angled cuts that can be used for decorative purposes or to ease the edges of a board to prevent splintering.
- Thin Out Wood: Planers can be used to thicken wood to a specific size. By adjusting the depth of the cut, planers can remove a precise amount of material from the surface of the wood to achieve the desired thickness.
- Smoothen Glue Joints: Smooth glue joints and ensure a tight fit between two pieces of wood with the help of planers. By removing a thin layer of wood from the surface, you can create a flush joint that is ready for sanding and finishing.
How Does a Planer Work?
A planer consists of a cutter head that contains a series of plane blades or knives. The cutter head rotates at high speed, and the rough lumber is passed through the machine between the cutter head and a flat surface called the bed or table.
As the lumber passes through the machine, the cutter knife shaves off a thin layer of solid wood, leaving behind a smooth, flat surface. The thickness of the board is determined by the position of the cutter head, which can be adjusted up or down to remove more or less material.
Most planers have a mechanism that allows the user to adjust the cutter head height in small increments, typically ranging from 1/32 to 1/8 inches.
Once the board has been planed on one side, it can be flipped over and run through the machine again to plane the other side. This ensures that both sides of the board are flat and even.
Types of Planers According to Power Source
Several types of planers are available on the market, which is classified based on their power source. The main types of planers according to the power source are:
Manual Planers
Manual planers, also known as hand planes, are woodworking tools powered by the user’s hand. They are best suited for small-scale woodworking projects and for creating decorative profiles and shapes on the edges of boards.
While manual planers require more skill and effort to use than electric planers, they are a valuable tool for any woodworker who wants to achieve a high level of precision and control in their work. With practice and patience, a manual planer can produce results that are every bit as impressive as those produced by an electric planer.
How Does a Manual Planer Work?
The basic design of a manual planer consists of a metal body, called the plane, with a flat sole and a blade or iron that protrudes from the bottom. The blade is held in place by a cap iron, which helps to prevent the wood from tearing as it is planed.
To use a manual planer, the user first prepares the wood by marking the areas that need to be planed. The plane is then positioned at the beginning of the board, and the blade is adjusted to the desired depth of cut.
The user then applies downward pressure on the front knob of the plane and pushes it forward along the board. As the plane moves along the board, the blade shaves off a thin layer of wood, leaving behind a smooth surface.
The user must keep the plane level and straight as it moves along the board to ensure the surface remains flat.
Once one pass has been completed, the user can make additional passes to remove more material and achieve the desired thickness. The cap iron can be adjusted to control the depth of cut and prevent the wood from tearing as it is planed.
Electric Planers
Electric planers are tools used to shape and smooth wood quickly and efficiently. They are powered by an electric motor that drives a spinning blade that removes material from the wood.
They are faster and more efficient than manual planers and best suited for large-scale woodworking projects requiring a lot of material removal.
How Does an Electric Planer Work?
The basic design of an electric planer consists of a body with a motor and a blade assembly. The blade assembly includes a set of two or three blades mounted on a rotating drum. The depth of cut can be adjusted by lowering or raising the drum assembly.
To use an electric planer, the user first prepares the wood by marking the areas that need to be planed. The planer is then positioned at the beginning of the board and turned on.
The user then applies downward pressure on the front handle of the planer and pushes it forward along the board. As the planer moves along the board, the spinning blades remove a thin layer of wood, leaving behind a smooth surface.
The user must keep the planer level and straight as it moves along the board to ensure that the surface remains flat and even.
Once one pass has been completed, the user can make additional passes to remove more material and achieve the desired thickness. The depth of cut can be adjusted as needed to remove more or less material with each pass.
Safety Tips When Using a Planer
When using a planer, safety is paramount, so here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Always wear safety glasses and a dust mask when operating a planer.
- Ensure the power cord is kept from the cutting area, and never leave it plugged in when not in use.
- When working with a power hand planer, always ensure that the blades’ cutting edge is kept away from your body.
- Always use both hands when operating a planer, as controlling the tool with only one hand can be difficult.
- Make sure you are comfortable with the weight of the planer before you begin.
- Be sure to read and follow the instructions in the manual before using the tool.
- Make sure the depth adjustment knob is set to the correct depth before beginning.
- Ensure the piece of wood is fully clamped before beginning the planning process.
- Always ensure that the planer is positioned on a flat and level surface.
- If using an electric hand planer, make sure that the leading edge of the planer is kept away from the piece of wood. This will prevent damage to the wood.
- When planing wood at a lumber yard, make sure to cover the surrounding area with a tarp or plastic sheet to collect the sawdust.
- If you are planing spots in floor joists or metal plates, make sure to use a power tool that is designed for this job, such as a handheld planer or benchtop planer.
- When using a manual hand planer, make sure the blade is sharp and that you are holding the planer firmly.
- If you are using a power planer, always make sure that the planer is switched off when changing blades.
- Be sure to check the material for nails and screws before using a planer on it.
By following these safety tips, you can ensure that you use your planer safely and get a smoother surface on your piece of wood.
A Good Understanding of How a Planer Works
The main working principle of a planer involves using rotating blades to shave off thin layers of wood from the board’s surface. The depth of cut can be adjusted to remove more or less material with each pass, depending on the desired outcome.
By understanding how does a planer work, choosing the right type of planer for the job, and keeping safety in mind, woodworkers can achieve their desired results and take their woodworking skills to the next level.
