Power planer

I'm getting into woodworking and i want to get a planer, but i am too cheap to get a bench planer and to lazy to get a non power planer, so that leads me to hand power planers. If i get one with only a 3.5 inch blade will i be able to plane desktops by making multiple paralle passes? How difficult is it to learn to be competent with a hand power planer? Does anyone have any recommendations for a first time power planer? THanks

I understand what you are trying to do, but the last surface will have to be finished with a hand plane. The power planer will leave a surface with the planer marks in it. These must be shaved off with a smooth cut, not a rotary cut with a power planer. I bought a small power planer that is what you are asking about 2 years ago and am using it to learn how to smooth a surface. If you go to www.woodworking.com you can get a great deal of information about the subject. Try E-bay for much of the equipment you need.

The Makita 3-1/4-Inch Planer, model KP0810, delivers power, cutting capacity and ease of use. It is ideal for professional construction framing, window and door installation, and fine woodworking.

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Just built a new deck, not paying attention all the deck boards are down already. Now I have some high spots on the boards, aprox 6" in some spots. The joices are on 12" centers, due to hot tub placement. Can I use a planer and how do I use it to level the boards? 6" in some spots meaning length, only have to remove max 1/8" to level with board next to it.

Greetings. Planer will work....but be careful here.... The planer can leave edge grooves where it cuts... and...if you hit a nail the planer knives are gone and need replacement. A better way may be to use a hand belt sander. You can rent one or purchase... a very handy tool in the garage for many jobs. Widest belt possible for an even job.. 3 inches or better. Start out with 80 grit to drop high spots even to adjacent wood. Then use 100 or 150 next to pretty up the work.... Lastly, if desired - or needed, use a fine or 200+ grit. to match wood.. Always belt in direction of grain... parallel to length of wood. With a belt sander you have much more control of job and less chance of over cutting, plus, nails won't end the job... Suggest you make certain all nails or screws are below the surface well enough so you do not hit them with anything. They should be coated to prevent rust... and hit em will surely knock coating off.. Have fun.....

I am using an antique now that probably won't last for the whole job. I like the one I have, but the replacement blade is $110 and 2 hrs away. I like the type with a rotating blade.

Grizzly tools has a few hand planers http://www.grizzly.com/products/category.aspx?key=300050 we have the one that is $49.95 and it works wonderfully. when looking for planers there are four things to look for: 1. how strong the motor is (1HP or more is good) 2.how wide it will plane (3 1/4" is good) 3.incremental heght adjustment 4.replacable cutting blades. a dust collector is very handy too but not critical

I need to get some pieces of wood to a smaller thickness. Some pieces are only 5"X3"X.75" and they need to be 5"X3"X.50", what is the best tool and how do I prevent the piece from flying off.

Bench plane stock to 1/2".You should do this before you cut 5x3 cut to size with chop or table saw (with finish blade)Bench planer is the tool to use.

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