Hand held power planers

[TnAndy]

Anybody here ever use a hand held power planer ?

I need to buy one to face some timbers for a project and never even seen one. Prices on the 6" versions run in the 600/FRN range, but the timbers I need to face are 8".....to go to the 9-12" wide planers is a GREAT BIG jump in price....like 2 grand, which I can't stand.....

My question is: Can you make a double pass with a 6" wide model and clean up one face ? or does is leave a noticable "line" in the face where you make two passes ?

Like I said, never even seen one, so I'm hoping someone here is a timberframer and used one.

Thanks!

[montytx]

Used one today. They are great time saver. If you have a wide space to plane, start with the deepest plane setting you can then when you are close drop it to the least depth. You shouldnt have much of a line. You can always sand any lines. OF course if you have a big jobyouy really ought to get the right tool for the job. THe time you waste will likely offset the price. Maybe you can rent....

[giddonah]

I use a slightly older (but basically the same) version of this:
http://bosch.cpotools.com/planers/3365.html
I think with some practice, you could get pretty good at matching depths on different passes. At least to the point where you can easily sand it down. There is a point of diminishing return though, if you have to do a lot. For a small project where some extra sanding isn't a big deal, you should be good to go.

[VALENT]

I dont know how big of a project you have but I would think buying a cheap power planer <$100 would serve quite well. I'm pretty sure you could make multiple passes and get them all the same depth without too much trouble. But, if this project requires extreme precision(even though I dont know what would to that degree), then you would need the large planer you talk about in your post.

[TnAndy]

Thanks for the replies guys..

The "project" is a log cabin using 6x8s with the 8" face inside and out.....the outside I intend to use one of those chipper deals that goes on the end of a chainsaw to give it that "hand hewn" look.....but I was wanting the inside reasonably smooth.

I sawed the cants on my Woodmizer, so they are fairly decent to start with, since the band blade is better than a big circle mill in that respect......I'm figuring no more than a 1/16 needs to come off...

May just try a small one and see what it does....somebody has a DeWalt 4" job on Ebay right now and current bid is 50 bucks......heck, for that, I'd try it and just keep the thing around to hit the occassional door or something......

[giddonah]

Right on. My bosch is only 3 1/2" and I love it. I just did some rough 2x4's that I took out of my current remodeling project to build some shelves. I had to do a couple passes since it couldn't handle the whole 4". It worked great. And that bit about the occasional door- I did that the other night. 20min of hand planing was done in 2 min. Even if you don't like it for the 8" boards, you'll still be glad you have one.

[VALENT]

Nice project, tnandy. I think you will be amazed at the work you will be able to get done with these small power planers.

[ctdecks]

cna't live without one now!
i have 3 all differrent brands, they all work well