LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Porter Cable planer snipe issues

7K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  PhillipRCW 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have the 12" Porter Cable planer from Lowes. I seem to get pretty bad snipe on both ends. I support it the best I can going in and out, but does anyone have some tips or modifications that help limit the snipe on this model?
 
#4 ·
One thing I did to my Planer, is clamp a 2×12x5' to the tables short infeed & outfeed extensions. This gave me a longer table surface for the boards to slide across. Another method is to cut your boards a few inches longer before you plane them, then cut to size after the boards are planed to thickness. As johntoned said, Lift slightly on the infeed side, then lift slightly on the outfeed side. Or have a support that can do this on the table.
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
If the infeed and outfeed tables are adjustable on your model, adjust them so they are raised slightly at the far ends. Usually raising the tables 1/8" with respect to the planer bed will eliminate snipe. Make the tables look like a shallow "V" when viewed from the side.

Otherwise, rig up a 48-50" melamine shelf with some cleats. Install that on your planer bed to improve workpiece support.
 
#6 ·
I saw something a while back that knocked all my snipe out. I run a sacrificial board in front of and behind my good stock, obviously same thickness.

- Broncfan1986
I also use this method. Similarly, what is sometimes easier to do is use narrow strips (same thickness) along each side of the work piece and extend 4-6" beyond the ends. It is easier to hold these in place as you feed all three pieces together into the machine. If you are machining several pieces to the same thickness, it is easy to move the sacrificial strips from work piece to work piece. if your work piece is long, you can hot melt glue the narrow pieces to the sides at just the ends. They don't need to be full length.
 
#8 ·
All planers cause snipe. You need to support or lift up slitghtly on the wood as it enters and exits the planer.

- johnstoneb
Not true guys. Could be a problem on lunchbox or cheaper planers that you can't adjust, but I have no snipe at all on my planer. On mine I achieved it by lowering the bed rollers flush.

If its sniping on the way out you need 1) outfeed support (hold board up or raise outfeed table up a bit) or 2) run a sacrificial board behind it.

It its sniping on the way in, The bed rollers are too high.
 
#10 ·
if its the PC305, you wont get rid of all of the snipe unless ya do what broncfan mentioned.you could also run longer boards on each side of ones ya want to plane. the snipe is a hereditary thing that came with the planer when it was rebadged from the delta TP305

i dont think theres adjustments on the feed rollers on this model.

- tomsteve
This is what I was worried about. I've done almost all the steps above, but just not having any luck getting rid of it on the wider boards. I try to plane 12" wide cutting boards, but it kills part of the board with snipe.
 
#12 ·
This is what I was worried about. I ve done almost all the steps above, but just not having any luck getting rid of it on the wider boards. I try to plane 12" wide cutting boards, but it kills part of the board with snipe.

- PhillipRCW

cutting boards is where a wide belt sander comes in handy.

- tomsteve
I can add it to my Amazon wishlist if you want to be Santa for a fellow woodworker.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top