Router as Thickness Planer?

[big tim]

I know that using your router to re-surface something is not a new idea, but if you have your router mounted on the BT3 accessory table and the piece you want to re-surface is not too wide, this might work for you as well as it did for me. I had two cutting boards that needed to be refinished, the boards were cupped as well.
I used strips if MDF as rails to slide the accessory table mounted router back and forth on. When I couldn't go far enough to the right,


I simply rotated the table 180 degrees to finish. (I know the picture shows that I haven't finished the left side yet.)



Cutting board finished. I completed the job using my ROS.


I used a straight 3/4 bit so it took a while, but I was pleased with the outcome. I originally started the job using my belt sander with a 50 grit belt, but didn't seem to get anywhere. the boards were made from hard maple. Then I got this idea and it worked great.

Tim

[Ed62]

Nice solution, Tim. Thanks for the post.

Ed

[siliconbauhaus]

nice idea and solution mate

[cabinetman]

It does work very well, and takes some patience. I find the best way to get good results is to take very thin depth of cuts at a time. The depth adjustment can be made on the router, or with shims and guide boards for the router base. I used 1/32" shims (strips of formica) as an initial build up and remove them as I proceed.

[big tim]

........I used 1/32" shims (strips of formica) as an initial build up and remove them as I proceed.

Good idea, particularly if the depth adjustment on your router isn't too accurate. The Bosch 1619 fortunately has very accurate and repeatable depth adjustment.

Thanks for the comments guys!

Tim