A safe idea or no?

[Richard in Smithville]

I have a small collection of exotic scaps that was given to me. They range from six to twelve inches. I would like to plane some bits down to use in some small projects. Hand planing isn't really an option at this point in time. My idea is to create a sled from a length of 2x6( I would "kerf" out an area for the exotic), hold it in place with wedges, and run the whole deal through my planer. What do you think, will this work?

[Mr__Bill]

Don't see why not, I would step back and to the side when it went through though.


Bill..
it's not really dangerous to you if someone else is doing it.....

[crokett]

I don't know why it would not be safe. I've used a sled to flatten warped stock on a planer. I would use hot melt glue to reinforce the wedges. Also go slow and set the planer to take small bites.

[SARGE..g-47]

I've done it by just using a 3/4" piece of MDF.. apply double sided carpet tape to that and then apply the scrap after butt jointing the ends together. If the stock has an out of square end.. I do cross-cut the end square so they do butt together with no major gap.

Good luck however you tackle it....

[Tom Miller]

If you want to get really safe, you could mill some other species to about the same dimensions as the workpiece, and then place them end-to-end in the kerf of the carrier.

Regards,
Tom