Managing l-o-n-g boards when planing.

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

Since the flatness and stablility of the supports are critical when planing, I wonder how others manage long boards. The ones in the pictures are 9 foot (2.75 m) long, destined to become a Jarrah and Pine loft bed for my son. This length is a little unusual for typical constructions - or is it? On the other hand, boards in the 5 to 6 foot range are quite common for table- and sideboard tops, especially when jointing edges.

So how do you manage long (and longer) boards?

Pictures #1 and #2 illustrate what I am referring to.

#1 http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/attachment.php?attachmentid=7071

#2 http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/attachment.php?attachmentid=7073

Picture #3 is a bit of fun. A 9 foot shaving, measured thickness 0.002". Plane used was a Mujingfang 11" long smoother/jack. I just love this plane on soft wood!

#3 http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/attachment.php?attachmentid=7074

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Midnight]

to date the longest sticks I've planes were a smidge under 8ft, destined to be the rails for the oak and elm bed I made last year.. working with a bench significantly shorter than the stock, I'd to plane in stages.. but it wasn't much of a hassle...

 

[mudman]

Picture #3 is a bit of fun. A 9 foot shaving, measured thickness 0.002". Plane used was a Mujingfang 11" long smoother/jack. I just love this plane on soft wood!

There's another one for your collection Alf. :wink: