What is the shortest board you can run through a thickness planer?

This is a question that everyone with a thickness planer asks at some point. This video will hopefully answer that question regardless of planer model, and allow you to plane shorter boards without just being reckless in the workshop.
I also post pictures of stuff I build on Instagram:
/ thesnekkershow
I'm using a DeWalt DW735 thickness planer upgraded with a Byrd Shelix helical cutterhead with carbide cutters, and a Harbor Freight dust-collection system that I converted to a two-stage in this playlist:
• Dust Collection
DW735X Planer (with tables and extra knives): amzn.to/2N9xSgl
DW735 Planer (without extension tables): amzn.to/3rKT5vL
DW7351 Extension Tables: amzn.to/2LrYDfs
Rockler 4” x 2' stretch hose: amzn.to/3bDOXsH
Rockler 4” x 4' stretch hose: amzn.to/38VGuQ5
Rockler threaded disconnect fitting: amzn.to/3nW9mvu
(This video is not sponsored. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

[@WikiSnapper]

Don't just push the limits, know why the limits are there and then push the limits. Great quote!

[@philipguarino524]

No BS just straight up demonstrated proof. Thank you.

[@joestallings6993]

You precisely answered my question and I didn't even have to look under my planer. Thanks!

[@MikeBramm]

I've always thought that would work but wasn't gutsy enough to try it. Nice work.

[@StarrWoodworks]

Thank you. This was perfect.

[@cncwork5814]

Super helpful! Thanks for testing it out so I didn't have to mess with it.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

My pleasure.

[@Kevinrichardsonministries]

Excellent Quality video... Thumbs Up !!

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Thank you

[@sureshot311]

Exactly the video I needed. Thank you very much!

[@TheSnekkerShow]

I'm glad it was helpful.

[@BarrySumpter]

That was excellent. Well done. Thank you.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

My pleasure

[@phoebegibbs2181]

Super helpful! Thanks!

[@TheSnekkerShow]

My pleasure

[@Itsreallymarcus]

Planer sled and hot glue can aid you in running small boards through it..I’ve done 4 inches but make sure it’s a good glue with plenty of holding strength..

[@davidlambertson3123]

Excellent explanation and approach to managing risk in a planer while increasing functionality. Thanks

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Thank you for the feedback.

[@steveg665]

Great video. And you have the diction of a pro.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@gerardlunow567]

Great smart videos. This is reality vs anecdotal miss information,

[@jeffroberts760]

I have so many thick hardwood cutoffs less than 12 inches, thanks for the perspective and the effort

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Happy to help

[@shandoe7gw867]

That’s funny I was just using my DW735 and was wondering how short of a piece I could put threw but did not feel like taking the time to measure between rollers. Thanks 🤪

[@markyounger319]

I have a 3 inch scar on my hand (10 stitches and a couple of weeks off work!) from a pusher stick kicking back at me while trying to push a 10 inch piece through. 20 years working with wood tools without much more than a sliver but after the planer incident I don't run short pieces through without a jig. Great video -thanks for making it.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

I've had a couple close calls with the planer, but nothing that bad. For example, it's tempting to wear gloves in a freezing cold garage, but it's also very easy for a glove to get caught between the board and the infeed table, which will pull fingers into a place they don't fit.

[@paulpardee]

Another consideration is the distance between the outside of the planer body and the rollers. If you have to reach into the body of the planer to retrieve the board, you're asking for trouble at some point.

[@ferrari3696]

I have a cheap performax (menards) planer and the rollers on mine verses this Dewalt are spaced the same, and it had a minimum of a 6 inch board

[@JimFishwick]

I love it when I can see exactly how something works along with an explanation. Just an excellent video. A question: If I have several 8 inch pieces can I feed them through end to end (touching) safely?

[@TheSnekkerShow]

That's how I prefer to do it to reduce snipe. Just make sure they're all pretty flat and even so one doesn't pick the roller off of another.

[@Poor.Mans.Sweden]

thanks. I'm just going to begin planing the shingles for my log cabin! I have 330mm long pieces and all the thicknesser manuals said to use at least 12" long workpieces.

[@fatroberto3012]

You are stuffed. You need a metric planer!

[@matthewitt2276]

Good video. Also, you sound exactly like Ron Swanson. Which is cool.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

I hear that a lot. I'm thinking about auditioning to be his stunt double for tricky table saw cuts.

[@ronhochhalter3491]

I liked your video about the cutter head for this planner. I'm seriously considering purchasing the planner you have, I currently have the other Dewalt model. I was planning some Wenge today and it doesn't have the power for exotics. Do you have any trouble with hardwoods like Brazilian Cherry?

[@TheSnekkerShow]

I'm not positive, but I suspect the motors for the 734 and 735 are identical, or close to it. Most portable planers are limited to a 110v 15 amp circuit. I haven't had any significant issues, but I also seldom plane anything the full width of the machine. I only have some smaller Wenge scraps around, but I have some comparable species. What width were you planing?

[@ronhochhalter3491]

@@TheSnekkerShow I started at 6 inches, but then cut them down to 1 3/4 to continue planing. The 734 overheats regularly with hardwood. I also have complications getting a absolute precise thickness with the 734, the bar that locks down the motor height will flex with exotic hardwoods, that is a lot to ask from a $400 planer.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

@@ronhochhalter3491 I haven't had any trouble planing 6" widths of very dense wood like old-growth ash and chestnut oak, but I don't normally plane for more than a couple minutes at a time. I'm actually planning to do a power-testing and modification video for this planer, so stay tuned. No guarantees, but it's in my queue.

[@ronhochhalter3491]

The Snekker Show Thanks so much for your input, looking forward to all the content you produce, you have a great channel

[@AnthonyStabler]

@@ronhochhalter3491 I've heard of the breaker reset button wearing out and tripping early. Replacements are easy to find and do. You'll be glad you did.

[@williammeck3466]

I have just purchased a DW735 and awaiting on its delivery. I designed a jig to use on my bandsaw to cut 1/4 thick boards of red cedar from small trees on my property. They are aprox 10 to 12 inches long at 4 to 5 inches wide. I was wondering if the low profile of the material would cause any problems with the shorter lengths? I noticed that you used your sample on its edge, so I wasn't sure if this was on purpose for more stability.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

The only reason I planed on edge was to make enough room for the camera to see inside. Thinner boards are a definitely a higher risk because of their flexibility, but there are things you can do to reduce risk. I'd recommend watching my video on snipe avoidance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZSyhn53rdeHr5I

[@williammeck3466]

@@TheSnekkerShow that was a great video. Thank you

[@budgye]

Why did you pick the Byrd Shelix helical cutterhead for you planer?

[@TheSnekkerShow]

I wanted a helical cutterhead for years because I plane a lot of complicated wood and I was tired of dealing with nicked knives and torn-out grain. The Shelix had a good reputation for quality and is made in the USA, so it was an easy choice.

[@jchan0425]

I wish I know about this video before I needed to change my pants.

[@jonq8714]

Added bonus: the whole board is in the snipe zone so it's uniformly flat.

[@Ryan-rt3ny]

how did this board get Zero Snipe...?

[@enzprintco.8625]

That’s my question too. That 1/2”-3/4” where both rollers were engaged should have a little bump right?

[@isabelgutierrez8150]

Honestly this Dewalt planner gives amazingly no snipe. I have only gotten snipe a few times and i feel like it was the way i fed it. Otherwise i have no (or at least no noticeable) snipe

[@flatlander523]

Do you think anything would change if you had 3 knives installed instead of the helix?

[@TheSnekkerShow]

Straight knives might try to pick the wood up more because of more surface area during the cut, but otherwise, no.

[@iamsalad]

How do you feel about the hack I've seen people doing of attaching longer sacrificial boards to the sides of the short piece temporarily?

[@TheSnekkerShow]

It's not without risk, but I don't see anything wrong with it. I took a similar approach and made a jig for running bowls through the planer to flatten the bottoms. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2nOlKl5gLWkpMk

[@austinveatch6993]

Do 5!! Do 5!! Do 5!!

[@trentenian]

It's appropriate that this guy sounds like Ron Swanson

[@cjsawinski]

Just feed a dummy board right behind your workpiece... should be able to plane as small of boards as you want Edit... I mean this to be taken “within reason” lol... just to clarify

[@user-nx3zk5qi8t]

Does everyone else get streaking from the shelix cutterhead?

[@TheSnekkerShow]

It's happened to me before. It could be a misaligned insert, a chip or rust under the insert, or even a bad insert. Try to identify where it's happening and visually inspect that area. You can use the chapters in my installation video to jump to the parts related to installing the inserts and troubleshooting the test cut. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnuTo6l4np2UZs0

[@AlexRicketson]

I'm betting Dewalt said 12" because they know people will push their luck. Plus people may put bowed or twisted boards in which would probably increase risk on short pieces.

[@WV591]

Never saw a planner kickback until 30 minutes ago . it almost broke my finger. what the hell is that about

[@TheSnekkerShow]

It's happened to me one or twice. The last time was several years ago with this planer, but I was using a jig to flatten the bottom of a bowl, so I kind of invited it.

[@WV591]

@@TheSnekkerShow I think maybe my board was too short.I have no idea. all I can say is, I'm glad I was standing slightly to the side, but I wasn't able to pull my hand out of the way fast enough. once I get my courage back ;-) , I will test it with a longer board.

[@TheSnekkerShow]

@@WV591 I'd be interested in your conclusion. Could be worn-out rollers or roller springs, a tapered-thickness board, dull knives hitting a complicated patch of grain, or something else.

[@WV591]

@@TheSnekkerShow yes. I'm curious as heck myself. I will feed it a long friendly 2x4 nice and easy with me standing to the side, so there should be no excuse.if that sucker shoots back like today, my Delta 22-580 is going up the river.

[@WV591]

@@TheSnekkerShow I ran a couple of long boards through it standing to the side and didn't kick back, but I think something fishy with front roller. I will slip a camera under there. As you said, it maybe a worn out roller but in all the years, it's mostly been sitting there unused.