new planer sled

[bluedawg76]

after spending a couple of nights face jointing boards by hand that were too big for my 6" jointer, i decided to re-enter the 21st century and build a planer sled. Build is a rather loose term as this is about the simplest jig I've made. There's lots of versions I found online that I used as inspiration It's a 4' x 11" piece of melamine with a cleat screwed into one side. I made some 15 degree wedges to act as shims, held in place by carpet tape where needed (~every ft or so). Sorry I forgot to photo a wip

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I was amazed at simply well this contraption worked. It was taking me about 40min to joint a walnut or cherry board 8" x 42" and I only had the energy for one per night. With this, I did the remaining 5 boards in a flash. I realize it's not a home-made jointer (causes that was cool!), but it does the trick!

Sam
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[red]

Very cool. Sometimes simple is the best.

Red

 

[MarkE]

Nicely done. With some of the wood I have been using lately, that sled would have come in very handy. Going to put this on my to-do list.

 

[Tarhead]

Thanks for posting! Instructions for one of these should be included with every 6" and 8" jointer.

 

[Bas]

Looks good, I like the use of double sided tape and wedges. When I still had my sled, I used playing cards as shims and some hot melt glue to fasten the board. Low tech works great here.

 

[merrill77]

That is pretty much the same technique I use...and about the same sled. I haven't tried anything sticky with my wedges, so you might want to try it without? I agree, it goes much quicker this way. It is also safer and at least for me, produces more consistent results.

 

[bluedawg76]

I haven't tried anything sticky with my wedges, so you might want to try it without?

i guess i was worried they'd get bumped/ moved during the reloading from the outfeed back to the infeed. thanks for the suggestion. i'll give this try next round of boards I do.

 

[LeftyTom]

:thumbs_up It works, and took longer to think up than to make. You can't beat that with a stick.

 

[merrill77]

i guess i was worried they'd get bumped/ moved during the reloading from the outfeed back to the infeed. thanks for the suggestion. i'll give this try next round of boards I do.

Yes, they will likely move about. I don't even bother trying to keep them in place. I pick up the board, shove the sled back through the planer (I have long infeed/outfeed tables) and then replace the board and slide the wedges back in place. Come to think of it, perhaps _I_ should try the sticky wedges

 

[Joe Lyddon]

The first time I saw that technique was on the Finewoodworking.com website...
... never have tried it yet...

I do use a piece of carrier board with a small hook-piece glued to it to hold Thin or small pieces...

COOL way to do it!
Thanks for the reminder...