Hi there,
I'm building a workbench top using 2x4x8's that are laid on their sides. The faces and edges need to be squared.
I've tried some of the following:
Hand Planing
Pros: Nice, smooth & glossy finish (on a 2x4), quiet
Cons: Takes too long (1-2hrs/pc)
Comments: I'm new to planing. Squaring two sides just by using is a bit of a hurdle. I've read on the SMC forum about a squaring guide
attachment (what is it called again?) that attaches to the side of a hand plane at 90° to the sole of the plane. But I haven't built/tried it yet.
Table Saw
Pros: Fast, I already have a table Saw
Cons: Occasional burn on the side of the blade, not a clean cut (requires sanding/planing), dangerous.
Comments: I'm trying to look for/come up with a jig design to support a 2x4 length-wise to minimize risk.
Jointer
Pros: Fast (3-5 mins per face)
Cons: High cost (+cost for debris collection system), loud
Comments: I could drop $60-$100 for membership (per month) at a makerspace to use their jointer but this isn't cost effective in the
long run.
Power Hand Planer
Pros: Less effort
Cons: There's still a learning curve to this device
Comments: Haven't actually tried this route.
I'll likely build a jig for my table saw but I wanted to see what others have in mind. I do plan to invest in a jointer in the long run but not
anytime soon (school loans, blah blah).
Best,
MT
Also, unrelated question: What is a hold-down twist clamp (one that lets you fix the base of the clamp to the top of horizontal surface and clamps towards the same surface) called?