Planing with an Arbortech Turbo Plane

[Derek Cohen]

I am in the process of building seats for two chairs. They will look like this ...

https://i.postimg.cc/tC0DNbXV/Chair-set1.jpg



There has been some shaping on the upper side, and the first seat is mostly done ...

https://i.postimg.cc/gkF4rt8H/Build23.jpg


The second seat needs to have a 1/4" removed from the bottom before shaping can continue on the upper side. However, these blanks start out as 2" thick solid Hard Maple, and planing off a 1/4" is a lot of work with a hand plane. This is one time I would have liked a hand power plane, but do not own one.

I have been using an Arbortech power plane to remove waste prior to shaping with hand tools ...

https://i.postimg.cc/Bnf5Q8WY/Build6.jpg


Using a travisher to refine the curves ...

https://i.postimg.cc/fLPm4yjv/Build7.jpg


It occurred to me that this was an opportunity to try out the planing module that comes with the Arbortech. It has a depth gauge to limit how much waste can be removed and maintains a flat surface. Also, dust collection is repported to be excellent.

https://i.postimg.cc/4y2wX0YR/Build31.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/1X3JhS5K/Build32.jpg

Well, it did a great job. Dust collection was excellent - hardly any chips around. Pretty flat and even. Just a little to remove to level up ...

https://i.postimg.cc/KYt9tQHt/Build29.jpg


Now it was very little work to finish off with a LA Jointer ...

https://i.postimg.cc/630Ymqw3/Build28.jpg


Interesting.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Prashun Patel]

How does the depth stop work? beautiful.

[Derek Cohen]

Prashun, it is simply a lowering or raising of the surround ring. You can see it in this photo ..

https://i.postimg.cc/4y2wX0YR/Build31.jpg

The control for it is the orange know with the arrow ..

https://i.postimg.cc/1X3JhS5K/Build32.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

[stevo wis]

Derek,
Did the surround ring come with the Arbortech? I bought an Arbortech about 6 years back and just use it freehand. It might be nice for me to buy the ring if its available.
thanks,
Stevo

[Derek Cohen]

Stevo, it all came as part of a kit. Check out their website. I do not know if the parts can be purchased separately.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Dan Friedrichs]

This is really helpful, Derek - I'm planning some chairs, soon, and will look into this!