Hi,
I got my hands on a Skil 100h Type 1. Should I cut off the tail where the handle ends or leave it. Till now I only have experience with a Hitachi P20SA which is way shorter.
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At the handle is a good place to cut. I have always cut at the handle. I have two now and they are both cut at the handle. There is always someone who will jump in and say not to cut a Skil. But I don’t believe a full length Skil is even worth it for longboards. Unless you are planing flat decks or bottoms that tail is just in the way. Dragging that extra length around for concaves, single to double, nose concaves, turning rails etc. At the handle is a happy medium. Some guys go shorter, but at the handle has always worked for me. I have cut them with a hack saw and a Sawzall. Be sure to file the cut and all the edges. Is the clicker still intact? There are a couple of ways to take care of that.
I think this has been covered in a few threads here on Sways.
I think the concensus is that cutting off the tail could reduce resale price. Some prefer keeping it stock because they like the feel, whether they shape longboards or shortboards. Some like the tail for longboards and prefer the tail chopped off at the end of the handle for shortboards. Some chop it to reduce the weight and maneuverability. Some shapers have one stock one shorty.
97 percent of the ones I have seen for sale have the stock tail still on.
In the end it’s your personal preference
Agreed. Cutting at the handle seems to be the sweet spot. Looks very balance and there is still enough planer bed surface contacting the blank.
If you look up Bill Stewart’s yt video on Skil planers he goes over the different lengths and has example of his Skil 100’s.
And that 97% that are for sale never shaped a surfboard of any length. I have sold more than a few Skils. If fact about three months ago I sold a 7.5. It was sold to an aspiring shaper who works in the industry for the largest board builder in the world. He was thrilled and happy to pay my price for a Skil 100 that was “plug n play”. Brushes,belt, bearings, base cut at the handle and the clicker gone by by. If you’re worried about resell value; Save your money. Spend it on an X-Box.
Yeah I don’t really care what Bill Stewart thinks.