I have a large pile of very large wood barn beams, approximately
8x8x24', that I want to use to build a post and beam addition to our
house. I want to plane them to a uniform size before we begin, and am
looking for a suitable planer. My son can get us all the roller table
we need to physically handle the beams, but what planer??? Is there
one that would handle beams of size? I anticipate buying the planer
and then re-selling it, since I don't think I would use it afterwards,
but would hope to find a good used one. I would appreciate any advice
any of you could offer.Thanks --
Hello,
Assuming your dimensions are 8"x8"x24' then I suggest one of the 20"
General Machinery or Powermatic planers.
General Machinery:
http://www.general.ca/pagetitre/ang/planers.html
Powermatic:
http://www.wmhtoolgroup.com/ourproducts/index.cfm?navPage=1&VID=2&CID=91
Finding a used one might be tricky and shipping costs might be pretty
steep. These things are crazy heavy and are primarily used in
commercial shops. These don't get passed around, but who knows;
perhaps a shop in your area is closing it's doors and you can pick one
up at some kind of discount.
The poster earlier who suggested hand planing has a good point. If
anything you may consider taking off wood with a belt sander then hand
planing for the finish.
Best of luck.
JohnC wrote:
> I have a large pile of very large wood barn beams, approximately
> 8x8x24', that I want to use to build a post and beam addition to our
> house. I want to plane them to a uniform size before we begin, and am
> looking for a suitable planer. My son can get us all the roller table
> we need to physically handle the beams, but what planer??? Is there
> one that would handle beams of size? I anticipate buying the planer
> and then re-selling it, since I don't think I would use it afterwards,
> but would hope to find a good used one. I would appreciate any advice
> any of you could offer.Thanks --
JohnC wrote:
> I have a large pile of very large wood barn beams, approximately
> 8x8x24', that I want to use to build a post and beam addition to our
> house. I want to plane them to a uniform size before we begin, and am
> looking for a suitable planer. My son can get us all the roller table
> we need to physically handle the beams, but what planer??? Is there
> one that would handle beams of size? I anticipate buying the planer
> and then re-selling it, since I don't think I would use it afterwards,
> but would hope to find a good used one. I would appreciate any advice
> any of you could offer.Thanks --
>
Before doing any type of machining I would check very closely with an
appropriate device to make sure there were no nails broken off inside
the wood. A hidden nail passing through a planer can be expensive.
--
Gerald Ross
Cochran, GA
Ambition is a poor excuse for not
having the good sense to be lazy.
"JohnC" <[email protected]> wrote in news:1168312937.795734.30840
@s34g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
> I have a large pile of very large wood barn beams, approximately
> 8x8x24', that I want to use to build a post and beam addition to our
> house. I want to plane them to a uniform size before we begin, and am
> looking for a suitable planer. My son can get us all the roller table
> we need to physically handle the beams, but what planer??? Is there
> one that would handle beams of size? I anticipate buying the planer
> and then re-selling it, since I don't think I would use it afterwards,
> but would hope to find a good used one. I would appreciate any advice
> any of you could offer.Thanks --
>
>
Maybe it's just me, but since you asked...
I can't imagine running beams that size through a planer that I could put
on my property. I'm thinking that I'd need 3 phasepower and a forklift to
move that material.
Were I going to try to smooth those beams, a handheld power planer comes to
mind. Or a trip to a well-equipped lumber yard, with a large
truck/trailer.
But then, I'm a hobby guy. Choose your battles, friend.
Patriarch
FWIW, traditional post&beam (timberframe) construction is typically done
with rough-cut stock.
When building cabinetry, we true our stock (joint/plane/rip) to a perfect
rectangle and cut out joinery from there.
With timberframing, that approach is too cumbersome. Two adjacent faces are
selected as the "reference faces". These are positioned to the outside of
the building. All jointery is marked relative to the reference faces.
For example, a housed M&T joint is typically used between the post and
crossbeam of a "bent". The "housed" part of the socket holds the entire
crossbeam and is cut to a depth of 7 inches from the reference face, (not 1
inch from the joining face). This essentially creates a virtual 7x7 into
which you cut the main part of the mortise. The distance between shoulders
of the crossbeam is the distance between the virtual 7x7's.
This shot shows a brace set into a post using the same housing approach
http://www.sweettimberframes.com/pages/joinery.html
This technique allows the builder to get essentially square joinery without
squaring the entire timber.
Be aware that a planer will make your stock smooth but not flat.
Regards,
Steve
This is a really good book if you're interested in an intro to timber frame
construction.:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=42789&cat=1,46096,46108
"JohnC" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have a large pile of very large wood barn beams, approximately
> 8x8x24', that I want to use to build a post and beam addition to our
> house. I want to plane them to a uniform size before we begin, and am
> looking for a suitable planer. My son can get us all the roller table
> we need to physically handle the beams, but what planer??? Is there
> one that would handle beams of size? I anticipate buying the planer
> and then re-selling it, since I don't think I would use it afterwards,
> but would hope to find a good used one. I would appreciate any advice
> any of you could offer.Thanks --
>