Feeding thin stock through a thickness planer can be problematic for a couple reasons: First of all, the cutterhead on many planers will only lower to within 1⁄4" of the table, preventing the planing of stock thinner than that. Secondly, some planers have bed rollers–with gaps around them–that can deflect the work upward into the spinning knives, cracking and splintering the stock. This planer riser solves both problems. By elevating the stock, you can plane it as thin as you can get away with (depending on how stiff and mild the wood is). At the same time, the riser covers over any bed rollers.
To ensure flatness, make the riser from MDF (medium density fiberboard) or MCP (melamine coated particleboard). Although they’re not strictly necessary, I attach hardwood fences to restrain wayward stock, cutting them out at the feed roller locations. Glue and nail the stop to the infeed end of the platform to prevent it from being pulled into the planer. Finally, apply paste wax to minimize friction when in use.
—Andy Rae, Asheville, North Carolina
