Tips & Tricks: Snipe Issues

either make the boards longer and cut it off

or sand it off

i do lift the boards going into
and coming out of the planer

if i have many to do
i butt them to each other
that helps
or have a ‘starter’ and ‘last’ sacrificial boards
to keep the real ones from getting snipe on them

-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle

If your planer is adjusted correctly you shouldn’t be getting allot of snipe…but David is correct…I always end up cutting off the first few inches of any board due to splitting of the wood near the ends. I get almost no snipe with my planer and butting boards together practically eliminates it except for the first and last. When I am doing a final flattening of a cutting board I like to use a scrap piece on the front and back so the finished piece doesn’t get sniped and blown out on the ends. Even the large 30 year old planer at my hardwood dealer snipes the boards..pretty good too..I always had to account for that when sizing jobs before I got my own planer.

-- http://www.facebook.com/pages/DSO-Designs/297237806954248

and what is snipe?

From my experience, this is my understanding: When running a board through a planer the wood will shift near the end and the planer blades dig down deeper into the wood leaving a gouge and thus the wood is no longer level and smooth.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

I also lift the boards up as I put them in and take them out especially on shorter boards. Some shorter boards I lift them up when they go in and use a long thin push stick to push it out so it doesn’t have time for snipe at the end. Long enough stick to keep my hands well away from the in feed area.

I have a “random snipe” planer. I get noticeable snipe occasionally and I have never determined why I sometimes get it and usually don’t.

If the project is important I will cut my boards 3-4” longer than I need so I can cut off the snipe. If the piece I am working on is a little less important, I will not add the extra length and plan on sanding out any noticeable snipe.

FWIW – It seems like my 10 year old planner (DeWalt 733) is sniping more now than when it was newer.

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.

Patron is correct . “avoiding snipe on a cheap planer ” for some pics here under ‘Planer tricks’ . My laptop has snipe !

here

Moment.... You can always go back and “Edit” your original post and fix things, etc. ...

( You have 60 minutes to make any changes you want to make.)

Edit:
Moment… Great website! Very nice work! I love the way you made your tools!

Salvaging an old Planer...

Thank you!

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"

I almost forgot…....Debbie , you are doing a great job with your topics as always ! Thanks .

Tried that twice Joe…....no worky …..must be the weather ! Thanks.

moment... When you have links to fix, it’s easier to remove the OLD coding (except for the Text “Here” in this case) then, highlight the text and Click the Link Chain… then Paste the new link… etc..

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"

Thanks Joe . Now I see what i was doing wrong . I will send you a consulting fee when I win the lottery…if I live that long .

OK… Very good!

I think you will live longer than I will! LOL
... so, you have to do it before I GO! LOL

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"

Don’t know about living any longer than you Joe ! LOL But there is always Bingo ! I guess I’ll head on down to the Bingo hall and see if I can cover your fee sooner . I’ll be in touch . : )I’m no spring chicken myself .

That was GOOD! Thank you!

I’m 75…
And I’m Easy…

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"