In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Slab flattening

Discussion in 'The Sawyer Room' started by The Wood Wolverine, Jul 1, 2024.

  1. ironpony

    ironpony

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    yes that is the other one I guess. I thought I might be hallucinating when I didn't find it again and found the 24" one.
     
  2. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    I viewed this video more than once before starting. Anyone else going down this rabbit hole, check it out.

     
  3. brenndatomu

    brenndatomu

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    Seen this today...not sure if its unique or not...not in budget though I'd guess...
    upload_2024-7-15_18-28-19.png
     
  4. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    Not even close unfortunately. I had a Vevor in my virtual cart and couldn’t do it. $160 is tempting though.

    upload_2024-7-15_19-47-35.png
     
  5. ironpony

    ironpony

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    Could always get an x-y plotter table and go complete CNC on it. Set it and forget it came back and it is done.
     
  6. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    :makeitrain"
    Large format sander w/ 60 grit probably faster?
     
  7. lukem

    lukem

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    The router sled method works good for bigger slabs, but for the smaller stuff I use the planer sled method. It's a lot faster and cleaner...I have a 20" 5HP planer and it removes material a LOT faster than my little router.

    Build yourself a box out of 3/4" plywood, MDF, OSB or whatever you have. I don't have a picture of mine but it is 8' long, 20" wide, and about 4" thick. Make it as stiff as you can. I think there are 2 or 3 "joists" inside the box to give it some extra rigidity. It's basically the same as a torsion box workbench without the legs.

    After you have your box made put your slab on there, shim it up to where it doesn't move, then hot glue it to your sled.

    Run the whole sled through thr planer to flatten the top, remove from the sled, and plane to thickness.
     
  8. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    I will definitely do that for slabs that will fit through my 13” planer. Majority are much wider. Being that I’m unsure on final use, I might end cutting some down with the circular saw to fit since it is much faster. Have you ever used these:
    upload_2024-7-16_13-8-49.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2024
  9. lukem

    lukem

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    I haven't. I just use shims and hot glue...it doesn't take much. Sometimes I will put a screw in (proud of the sled) behind the workpiece so the planer won't try to slide it backwards on the sled.

    I don't think that thing in the picture would give the support needed to keep the planer rollers from driving it downward unless you used a shim to fill in the gap....especially if you are putting it in the bark.
     
  10. metalcuttr

    metalcuttr

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    I am liking that! Nice setup!
     
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  11. The Wood Wolverine

    The Wood Wolverine

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    Thanks Russ. The apple was my first foray into milling and I learned the lesson the hard way. You know what they say, hindsight is 20/20. I’m thinking about making crates for my record collection with these slabs. When I get them all flat, I’ll see if I have enough stock.