question on planing

[hillmanjim]

Don't laugh, please. What is the shortest length of wood that can be planed safely in a stationary planer?
Thanks,
Jim

[Rivari]

Interesting question, myself I would refer to the owners manual (I do)as planers come in different sizes. If you don't have a manual perhaps one of the "Old Duffers" here in the forum can offer a general rule of thumb

[Gill]

I'm sure much will depend on the model you're using. The manual for my Kity says 10" is the minimum.

Gill

[Greenfield_Bob]

I think on mine it is 12" or 15".
I have a Delta 12" planner.

Bob

[Jediscroller]

It has to be longer than the distance under the cutter heads. Basically, measure the width of the planer and make sure your board is longer than that.

Kevin

[CanadianScroller]

Thickness planers

Sometimes the wood it too short or two thin, The thin boards can be double sided taped to a carrier.
Or you can make an auxillary table out of plywood tyhat will hook over the front of the planer, like a bench hook.
I am not sure if you could use a carrier with a short board?
I would hate to suggest that and have someone hurt themselves.

See no dumb questions, just dumb answers

[hillmanjim]

Thanks for your replies. I think attaching another board underneath may work best. It is a 13 1/2" blade DeWalt. My board is also 13 1/2". It is an old planer that was given to me, but works very good. I have used it a little but never had or used a planer before. How did I do without one?
Thanks again for the replies.
Jim

[Rivari]

Another yet primitive way is to just feed the wood in, if sparks fly or your wood shoots out you know it was either to big or to little. Caveman logic here.

[CanadianScroller]

If the chips on the planers knives line up just right you can make custom moldings

[hillmanjim]

I like Rivari's answer best, but Canadianscroller comes in 2nd so far. Anyway, I fed in a 13 1/2 inch piece and all came out OK nice and flat without sparks, no shooting pieces, and no grooves for custom work.

[Sparhawk]

Does that mean success or failure.

I'm always up for a good fireworks show.