Any and all direction would be appreciated…
I found a used Makita N1900b planer and I would like to modify it. It has a very shallow max cut depth as well as a horrible knob so I would like to change those two items on the planer. I only shape maybe 2 or 3 boards a year and have been using various friends’ shaping bays and tools. Since finding this planer I figured I could start shaping at my own place if I invest a little. I am hoping to be able to modify this N1900b and not have to buy another planer. Looking around, a modified shaping planer will be at least $200 even if used.
Should I just get a modified Wen planer from shapers’ supply?
If modification is possible, can you point me in any direction on how to do so?
Hi Beans - Unless you’re a production shaper a planer like yours should work OK as is. If you buy a blank that is close to what your finished shape will be, you’ll mostly be using it to skin the crust off the blank and maybe taking some thickness out here and there. “Depth adjustment on the fly” and a bunch of power might be nice once you get going but I think that one (and a host of others) will do the job. Go slow and take shallow cuts… those are key tips I got from the Damascus Shaping Series featuring Jim Phillips. Tools that will serve you just as well as a modified planer might be something like a nice sharp mini-plane and one of those raspy things from one of the material supply shops. https://greenlightsurfsupply.com/collections/surfboard-shaping-supplies/products/g-rasp-surfboard-shaping-tool-pvc-plastic?variant=16626541638 http://www.foamez.com/pleskunas-sanding-block-3-p-182.html (Sold Out - for a good reason - great tool!)
I would agree that un-modded planers are OK for occasional foam use and still allows them to be used on wood when needed. I still use a minimally modded (filled groove/smoothed shoe) HF planer along with a Skil 100. I have done the Newleaf mods to a Ryobi L120-UK but it is not a favorite, seems to be a bit ‘low slung’ and drags on the blank. You should look at your Makita and see if the belt guard, etc. will clear the blank when cutting deep. I am a non-attorney, non-professional spokesperson.
With all due respect, you don’t even need any sort of electric planer to shape a board. I’ve done plenty with only a hand saw, block plane, surforms, and sanding blocks. The hard part is skinning it. I used to just use a sharp block plane. It worked OK doing the actual shape as well. http://www.swaylocks.com/forums/you-all-can-sell-your-planers-now
I know I’ve posted this photo before but it shows how to skin a blank with the block plane… it comes off in curls:
