using a planer?

I’ve never used a planer before and i just finished watching the JC videos. Is JC adjusting the depth of the cut as he’s shaping? or is he just going up and down the board and adjusting the pressure he’s using on the tool? Just want to make sure i’m not missing something here. If anyone can go through some basics or point me to a resource, i would greatly appreciate it. I know i will learn more once i actually begin to shape, but I don’t want to make a mistake and take out a big piece of foam. [smile]

I’ve never used a planer before and i just finished watching the JC > videos. Is JC adjusting the depth of the cut as he’s shaping? or is he > just going up and down the board and adjusting the pressure he’s using on > the tool? Just want to make sure i’m not missing something here. If anyone > can go through some basics or point me to a resource, i would greatly > appreciate it. I know i will learn more once i actually begin to shape, > but I don’t want to make a mistake and take out a big piece of foam. [smile] …Yes he is adjusting the cut on the fly. You don’t need to push down on a planer, the weight of the tool is all you need. You may actually find that you un-weight it a little. Also, don’t move the planer as fast as John does or it may tear foam. Start slow with shallow cuts. Have fun! Scott

If you can, invest in 1 or 2 reject blanks so you can practice using your planer. Practice skinning the blank and holding the planer flat. If you purchased the Clark Foam Hitachi planer, practice opening up and shutting down the depth as you’re moving. If you bought a non-adjustable planer, practice adding rocker and taking out the bumps. Practice cutting rails. It may be more money out the door initially but, at least you won’t be trashing your good blank. Spence

For the cost of a good longboard blank I would highly recommend Damascusproductions.com new Master Shaper Series. This features some in depth instruction from Jim Phillips on shaping a surfboard using an electric planer. I own the the Shaping 101 video and another from Saltfever from AU. but the Damascus program really takes a detailed look at how to use the power planer, hand planes and sanding blocks to their maximum efficiency. Jim Phillips has shaped some 40K. surboards but he offers a very down to earth approach to teaching some of his skills to a beginner (like me!) I’m sure that there is something to be learned for anyone who is interested in advancing in their shaping in this video. It opens with some commentary on tools and thier proper use and selection, a very good look at surfboard design from past to present and a shaping segment from beginning to end of a classic longboard. Next is a piece on final finishing as it applies to any surfboard shape and the final segment covers some specialized instruction on multi-stringered shapes and winged outlines. Good stuff and a bargain at twice the price for me. Tom S.>>> I’ve never used a planer before and i just finished watching the JC > videos. Is JC adjusting the depth of the cut as he’s shaping? or is he > just going up and down the board and adjusting the pressure he’s using on > the tool? Just want to make sure i’m not missing something here. If anyone > can go through some basics or point me to a resource, i would greatly > appreciate it. I know i will learn more once i actually begin to shape, > but I don’t want to make a mistake and take out a big piece of foam. [smile]