If you’re a carpenter, you know that there are many ways to plane wood. But did you know that you can also use your table saw to plane wood? In this blog post, we’ll show you how to do it. We’ll also discuss the benefits of using a table saw to plane wood and provide some tips on how to get the best results. So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced carpenter, read on for helpful information on using a table saw to plane wood.
How to plane wood with a table saw step by step:
Step #1: Set the Table Saw for Plunging Cuts
To use your table saw as a planer, you’ll first need to set it up properly. First, you’ll need to change your blade height so that the teeth of the blade are just barely above the surface of the stock. We’re setting our saw up for a “plunge cut.”
Step #2: Adjust the Fence
Next, you’ll need to adjust your fence so that it’s flush with the back edge of your table saw’s extension wing.
Step #3: Fine Tune Your Blade Angle
It’s also important to make sure that your blade is angled properly. This will ultimately depend on which type of plane you’re using (afore plane or jointer plane). However, if you’re like us and don’t have an actual metal marking gauge then simply use one of your planes to get the job done.
Step #4: Align the Blade With Your Fence
Once your blade is angled properly, you’ll need to align it with your fence on the extension wing. To do this, simply lock the table saw’s rip fence into place and then extend out the end of your extension wing.
Next, slide your wooden hand plane along the right side of the table saw’s fence until it touches up against both your blade and on top of your wooden hand plane. Once you’ve made this adjustment, move back to where you put away your metal marking gauge (or remove one of you planes) and hold it up against both sides of the blade so that they form a “V.” This will be an easy way to see if your blade is aligned with your fence.
Step #5: Adjust Your Table Saw’s Fence
Finally, you’ll need to make sure the fence on your extension wing is adjusted properly for planning. To do this, first, move your wooden hand plane between the backside of the electric table saw’s rip fence and the front edge of its extension wing.
Then lock down your rip fence and use a pencil to mark where the back edge of the plane hits on the tabletop surface. Unlock your rip fence and then slide it along until that same spot lines up with the pencil mark you just made against the electric table saw’s extension wing. Once you’ve done this, re-lock your fence into place and try planning some wood as described in step #6.
Note: If you’re using a jointer plane, then it’s not necessary to adjust any fences on your table saw. Instead, simply place the wooden hand plane as far away from the blade as possible and make sure you keep your fingers clear of the saw blade during operation. In other words, treat the table saw as if it were a jointer and apply forward pressure to your plane as you move it back and forth along its intended path.
Step #6: Plane Your First Piece of Wood
Now that you’ve set up your table saw for planning operations, it’s time to actually try some wood! Try starting with a piece of scrap lumber – preferably something soft like pine – and place it on the table saw’s extension wing.
Position your wooden hand plane directly in front of the blade and slowly push it along the length of the piece of wood you’ve placed on top of your table saw. This will take a little practice to get down but, if performed correctly, planning with a table saw can result in some great-looking results!
Tips for getting great results:
Tip #1: Be Patient With Your First Cuts
As we mentioned earlier, using your table saw to plane wood is somewhat different than other types of cuts you may have made before so be patient with yourself during the learning curve. Also, remember that this method does not produce perfect results but it can still produce boards that are enough for most applications.
– For example, you may need to go back and make some additional cuts on your board before you get the desired thickness.
Tip #2: Keep Your Wood Straight
It’s also very important to keep your wood straight while cutting it. If this means nailing a couple of 2X4s together with long nails in order to support them during your cuts, then that’s exactly what you should do! Just make sure it’s on the opposite side of the blade as where you’re cutting.
Tip #3: Always Cut With the Grain
Another important thing to remember is this; always try and cut with the grain when using a table saw for planning operations. In other words, if your board is 4 feet long and you can clearly see the grains in the wood running from one end to the other, then it’s best to cut along this grain. If not, you risk creating a board that has some weak spots because of an incorrectly cut grain direction.
FAQ’s:
1. What type of wood can you plane with a table saw?
Any type of wood that’s soft enough to be cut with a circular saw can also be planed using a table saw.
2. Do I always need to plane parallel to the grain?
Yes, it is best practice to always plane parallel with the length of your board’s grain whenever you’re working with your table saw for planning operations.
3. How do you adjust the height of the blade on a table saw to plane wood?
This depends on the type of table saw you’re using. If it’s an older model that uses a standard blade, then this will be done by simply adjusting the height of the blade above the tabletop surface. However, if your table saw has a motorized mechanism for lowering and raising the blade (almost like a powered circular saw) then this will also be adjusted by a set of levers or a crank located on this mechanism itself.
4. Is it necessary to use a fence when planning wood with a table saw?
No, it is not necessary to use a fence with your table saw when planning wood. Instead, simply place the wooden hand plane as far away from the blade as possible and make sure you keep your fingers clear of the saw blade during operation.
Conclusion:
Woodworkers typically use a table saw for this process, but it is possible to plane wood using other tools. A simple hand-plane does the job just as well and can be used on smaller pieces of wood that would not work with a table saw. Another option is an electric belt sander which will give you smoother edges than if you were to do it by hand or with a power planer.
The important thing when working with wood that has been planned is to sand off any rough spots before painting because they are likely to show through in your finished product.
No matter what tool you choose, make sure you have all the safety equipment necessary so nothing goes wrong mid-way through! If there’s anything else we should have added please let us know in the comments section below!