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Planing cutting boards but not coming out right?

1K views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  David_the_Aussie 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm putting this question here because I'm using a planer at least.

I just started using a brand new dewalt planer, however my cutting board when laid on a flat surface has a little wiggle to it? From one corner to the corner diagonal from it.
I'm only taking off the smallest amount and this board is plenty thick, should I continue taking some off until it's flat?
I'm sure the answer is easy but I'm still pretty new to this thanks in advance!
 
#2 ·
It's a little off on both sides and will keep rocking. Add a shim to one side to stabilize the board and try running it through. then flip and run the other side to level it all out. When you add the shim, use double sided tape to hold the board on a piece of plywood just a little bigger than the board.
 
#5 ·
A plainer does not make things flat. It makes the 2 sides parallel. No matter how many times you run it through it will still have the same warp. In fact it may get worse.

Mark the high area and remove it with a hand-plane.

If you have a joiner, set it to take off about 1/32. Sprinkle sawdust on the table and nest the board into the dust so that it feels solid. the dust is your shim. it will support the low areas and you can get a true cut without taking much off. (yes, I have a 12 inch joiner, but don't be jealous of me My friend Rick has one that's 24 inches wide)
 
#7 ·
So I attached the cutting board to a piece of 1/4" birch plywood by hot gluing the edge were they meet, so not actually under the board. Then used a plastic shim and slowly took off little by little, got one side flat then flipped it. Perfect!
Thank you guys very much!
This also helps me figure out how to flatten some slabs with the same issue. I'll shim em up then hit it with my router sled again. Thanks again!
 
#9 ·
I know this is kinda "old school" (and I'm new here), but as someone else pointed out, a planer won't remove twist etc from a board. Google "Using Winding Sticks" to see how two parallel pieces of wood (or aluminium or anything else you have), can be used along with a hand plane to get your project flat. It's not difficult, and you'll be learning another skill that's been used by woodworkers for generations.

Whilst this isn't usually something necessary for something as short as a cutting board, I didn't think this was totally unrelated to the original point.
 
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