How to Make a Simple Planer Sled for Flattening Wide Boards

How to make a simple planer sled for flattening wide boards! Using a thickness planer to flatten cutting boards and slabs is easy and can save you hours in the shop. Sometimes its the simple shop projects that help you the most!

List of tools used in this build:

Video tags:
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[PenaltyBoxWoodshop]

What other types of shop projects/jigs would you like to see a video on?

[starret]

Thanks a lot for this very clear and practical video demonstration ! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[ENCurtis]

Clear, simple instruction. Solid video brother.

[rroberts]

Just started making live edge/resin serving boards recently and made 5 of them. Obviously new to woodworking and I WISH I'd seen this before doing those 5. I fought with each board to get them flat until they were 'good enough' (or when I ran out of patience messing with them). At least I know for the next batch... thank you!

[joannanasset]

very useful idea for flattening live edge slabs - thanks!

[MikeFixesStuff]

I used this to realize I could use a sled to treat the edges of bent laminations. The hot glue was enough to hold them up and make them stay put. Thanks!

I was ready to make a sled with a series of holes for mini bench dogs and working along with wood wedges but the hot glue worked fine.

[alanbrowning]

This is a great idea. I have seen something like it before, but I have also been looking at ways to reduce plainer snipe and realized if I just flip this jig over the cleat would also work to hold the mdf onto the plainer table as many suggest for snipe. Nice to kill 2 problems with one jig.

[larryschmitt]

Thanks for sharing, I know what I’m making in the morning 👍🏻

[cedaroakfarm]

perfect, I was looking for this, I have the same planer. Thanks.

[markfutato]

Thanks. I love simplicity. Will make this one.

[barbarastaccone]

Hello Nice video using a sled. Could you perhaps do a video on your dust collection system? I have the same planer and yet to complete a dust system. Thanks, BJ

[dodgedk]

Your intake and discharge for your planner perfectly level to help prevent snipe? Very nice tip.

[paulfrancoeur]

Hello Penalty Box,  
Thanks for the nice sled. Towards the end of this video you run a cutting board through and the results is a perfectly flat board. Do you get any snipes? That would ruine a beautiful piece of work. I think that one way to avoid snipes is to add a similar thickness board following (and sometimes also in front of) the board but you don't. How do you prevent snipes from happening?

Sincerely, from Montréal, Qc

[fuzzykropolis]

I've seen a few videos on this type of sled and I thought I heard someone say to get 1" MDF but I can't seem to find the video that specifically mentions that. Or any 1" in my local store(s). Is this 1" or 3/4"? Also, that is a sweet T-square you have there. What brand is it?

[jarrettgilliam]

Real question. What benefit does the sled add as opposed to just using the built in bed?

[billthomas]

Excellent video. Do you ever have a problem with snipe? I always have to account for three inches of waste on either end to cut off.

[hooner]

Wait, so after putting hot glue on the sled, how do you get it off repeatedly over time and not mess up the surface of the sled?

[terristroh]

I would love to see someone build a free standing coat rack. Those 3 stall cubby things are nice but not everyone has room for that.

[joewalton]

Link for the glue gun? Thanks for awesome video!

[jonathanbutler]

What is the longest length you have done? I'm looking to do 16 ft each board. Just curious on your thoughts