leveling endgrain cutting board

[merrill77]

I recall reading that running an endgrain cutting board through a planer is a recipe for disaster (and I understand why) - curious if that is still true for planers with spiral cutterheads? I can see reasons why it would work better...but still suffer from the same basic problem. Has anyone tried it?

I have a trio of end-grain cutting boards (xmas gifts) that need to be leveled. One needs at least 3/64" removed from one side to level it. I don't have a wide belt sander. The boards are roughly 10x16"...I am not looking forward to the grunt work of leveling these with my low-angle jack plane. I think I have a hand belt sander...haven't used it in so long I'm not sure if I still have it.

Suggestions welcomed,
Chris

 

[Bill Clemmons]

Chris, even w/ a spiral head planer I would still be concerned about tearout on end grain. There are a number of folks in the Triangle area w/ wide belt/drum sanders. I bet one of them would be glad to help you out. If not, you're welcome to come to Liberty and I'll run them through my sander for you.

Bill

 

[Bas]

I've done it with a spiral cutterhead. Rounded over the edges to prevent tear out, then fed it through using VERY small bites. It came out great. I also have a drum sander, but end grain tends to burn very easily, which then needs to be sanded out again (repeat until you have a cutting board 1/4" thick....). Planer did not leave any burn marks.

But be careful. VERY small bites.

Of course, using a real wide belt sander is even easier. Especially since you usually get to talk shop for an hour or two.

 

[bluedawg76]

As others suggested use a roundover bit to round the edges so that you don't get massive tearout and take very, very light passes. I've done a few this way w/o any issues.

 

[Skymaster]

Merrill; wood you like to run them thru my sander? I have a 22-44 in my shop, it is sooooooooooo far away, Zebulon LOL PM me just call 919-375-4442

 

[merrill77]

Thanks for the feedback! I gave it a shot and it turned out great. I put a small bevel on the edges and took off about 1/100th at a time. Tearout on the edges was miniscule...and I haven't trimmed the boards to final size yet, anyway. Had it all done in 10 minutes. That was much less painful than planing it by hand!

Jack, thanks for the offer!

 

[pcooper]

I've seen a sled type outfit made to use a router to cut the board if it's got a thickness issue, especially after a glue up where not all the parts stayed put.

 

[merrill77]

A router sled - of course! I don't know why I didn't think of that...I've considered building one for leveling boards too wide for my planer. Thanks!