IveGotWood Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 I recently got about 90 bf of Brazilian koa flooring that was left over after helping a friend install a new floor in his house. I am really excited about using some of this wood in some projects, but I have been running in to some trouble when I go to mill the lumber. Since the stock was intended to be flooring, it has some kind of finish (I think its poly) on the top. My first thought was just to run all of it through the planer, but my blades have been wearing out extremely fast and I know the finish is the culprit. Does anyone have any good ideas about a quick way to strip the finish off these boards? Thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 I recently got about 90 bf of Brazilian koa flooring that was left over after helping a friend install a new floor in his house. I am really excited about using some of this wood in some projects, but I have been running in to some trouble when I go to mill the lumber. Since the stock was intended to be flooring, it has some kind of finish (I think its poly) on the top. My first thought was just to run all of it through the planer, but my blades have been wearing out extremely fast and I know the finish is the culprit. Does anyone have any good ideas about a quick way to strip the finish off these boards? Thanks for your help. Will, On my old home that we remodeled, there was a good 1/32" of old, very hard enamel paint (probably lead based). I had my DeWalt 735 and was wearing the blades out very quickly. I found that one key thing was to make sure on my first pass I had the cut depth deep enough so that the majority of the cut was beneath the finish layer. That helped a lot. My blades still wore extremely fast, but not as bad in comparison. The trade of from not have to use a stripper was well worth the cost of sharpening the blades. I have three sets I rotate through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IveGotWood Posted February 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 Vic, Thanks for the info. I also have a Dewalt 735 but was under the impression that the knives are not sharpen-able. Are you using stock knives? Thanks, Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben H Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 Look at it another way. A set of blades is waaaaay cheaper than what that wood cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IveGotWood Posted February 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 Problem is that they seem to dull after only a few passes. I'm thinking it would take quite a few sets of blades to plane 90 bf and at $50 a set that could get really expensive. If I could sharpen the dewalt blades then it could be a possibility but I've read reviews of the blades indicating they shouldn't be sharpened. I'm unclear on this. Will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 Vic, Thanks for the info. I also have a Dewalt 735 but was under the impression that the knives are not sharpen-able. Are you using stock knives? Thanks, Will Yes, I've sharpened mine quite a few times. I think they have disposable too, though. One of these days, I'm gonna get the 15 or 20" helical head Grizzly planer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmykx250 Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 If it's pre-finished material it most likely has aluminum oxide suspended in the finish for durability. That will certainly tear up planer blades. But still cheaper than buying the material! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keggers Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 One of these days, I'm gonna get the 15 or 20" helical head Grizzly planer. Now you're talkin, Vic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sac Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 Now you're talkin, Vic! It is on my short list too. I am hopin for later this summer.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 It is on my short list too. I am hopin for later this summer.. It's not on my short list, more of an in the future buy. I've already got two planers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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