Defects & Corrections
1. Chipped Grain
a. Problem:
i.
Small chips or lifted portions of the workpiece. Usually a result of cutting
against the grain, planing lumber with knots or excessive amount of cross
grain, or using dull knives/inserts.
ii.
Some amount of chipping is normal with highly figured wood.
b. Solution:
i.
Decrease the depth of cut.
ii.
Reduce the feed rate.
iii.
Inspect your lumber and determine if its grain pattern or feed directions is
causing the problem.
iv.
If the lumber does not show substantial crossgrain, and reducing feed
rate and depth of cut does not resolve the problem, contact a Woodshop
Lead for assistance.
2. Fuzzy Grain
a. Problem:
i.
“Fur” or fuzz on the workpiece after planing
ii.
Usually caused by surfacing lumber with too high of a moisture content.
iii.
Sometimes fuzzy grain is an unavoidable characteristic of some woods,
such as basswood.
iv.
Fuzzy grain can also be caused by dull knives/inserts.
b. Solution:
i.
Check the lumber with a moisture meter. If moisture is greater than 20%,
set the lumber aside and allow it to dry.
ii.
Otherwise, contact a Woodshop Lead to check the condition of the cutting
blades.
3. Snipe
a. Problem:
i.
A thinned or tapered end to the lumber after planing. Occurs when board
ends have more material removed than the rest of the board.
ii.
Usually caused when the workpiece is not properly supported as it goes
through the machine.
iii.
In many cases, a small amount of snipe is inevitable.
b. Solution:
i.
Hold workpiece up slightly as it leaves the outfeed end of the planer.
ii.
The best way to deal with snipe is by planing lumber longer than your
intended work length and then cutting off the excess after planing is
completed.
4. Pitch and Glue Build-up
a. Problem:
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