Low friction surface for wood planer bed

richard newman · Apr 8, 2017

I want to make an auxiliary plate to sit on the bed of my planer, to eliminate the effect of the bed rolls. Could be aluminum, steel or cast iron, about 20" x 24". it needs to have as low friction as possible. yet be wear resistant or renewable.

I've considered aluminum with a low friction anodize, steel w/chrome plating (altho I think this is usually done for wear resistance. Also considered UHMW self adhesive tape, but that might not hold up for very long. The pressure would be concentrated right under the feed rolls.

Any suggestions or advice are welcome. What would be the absolute lowest friction surface? I'm a one man, one off shop, so it will see very low hours.

Scottl · Apr 8, 2017

First of all I believe adding small grooves to the plate as seen on the soles of some planes will reduce friction by reducing contact surface. In the case of cast iron such as a table saw surface wax or coatings definitely help.

As for materials, perhaps this research paper can help.

http://catalog.lib.kyushu-u.ac.jp/handle/2324/23785/p147.pdf

My guess would be steel or cast iron, polished.

Madis Reivik · Apr 8, 2017

Planed cast iron with slight grooves.
Or, if you want NO friction, then air cushion. But thats total overkill.

dian · Apr 8, 2017

if you are interested in coatings, this is excellent (no idea if they export):

Silbergleit - das Trockengleitmittel fur die Holzbearbeitung

Bob-J-H · Apr 8, 2017

How about stainless steel ? Bob

wawoodman · Apr 8, 2017

I've used this for over 30 years, although I think the name was different back in the day.

Glidecote V2 :cloud9:

1 Woodworking Aerosol Lubricant: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

You actually have to be careful after you apply it to a table saw, that you don't push too hard and slide into the blade!

wawoodman · Apr 8, 2017

Silbergleit is available in the States.

Silbergleit Wood Processing Machine Lubricant 1��Ml Tin | Accessories | Logosol Store | www.www.baileysonline.com.com

CalG · Apr 8, 2017

I used a piece if 3/4 in high density particle board with "Formica" laminate on both sides to keep it flat.

A wipe with a cloth loaded with talc, and it was good to go. Used it for years with never a problem.
It worked as a sled as well , just turn it over, double side tape to hold small work. (use judgement!)

There is also the option to have the roller height on a quick adjustment scheme. Every planer will be different. One I spent some time with made use of "tumble blocks" to offer three different height settings for the roller without the need to gauge the fine adjustment screws. The "thick" side of the blocks set the rollers below the bed level. It's more difficult to unclamp and move the four blocks than to just slide in a board, but it's an option.

dgfoster · Apr 8, 2017

Although I am pretty sure you have already used it and perhaps found it inadequate, I have been very impressed by simply using wax paper quickly rubbed on my Parks planer (old school American iron bought new 35 yrs ago) bed and also on hand plane soles. Occ use it on tablesaw top as well. Most of the time I am in the woodshop I have a small ball of wax paper in my pocket. I think it reduces friction to 1/2 or 1/3 untreated surfaces.

Denis

Illinoyance · Apr 8, 2017

Scottl said:
First of all I believe adding small grooves to the plate as seen on the soles of some planes will reduce friction by reducing contact surface. In the case of cast iron such as a table saw surface wax or coatings definitely help.

As for materials, perhaps this research paper can help.

http://catalog.lib.kyushu-u.ac.jp/handle/2324/23785/p147.pdf

My guess would be steel or cast iron, polished.

Reducing the area of contact will not reduce the friction. Friction force is the product of normal force and coefficient of friction.

redlee · Apr 8, 2017

Why not just lower the bed rollers flush with the table, then use a topcoat as others have said.

Toolznthings · Apr 8, 2017

I did mine with a piece of cast aluminum tooling plate with " Formica " laminate glued to the plate. Made plate as long as input and out put extensions on each side of bed.

Pete Deal · Apr 8, 2017

I have used a piece of plywood for this purpose, long strip maybe 6' long, on mine for 20 years. I waxed it once early on and it has always worked very well. Seems very slippery.

James Lederer · Apr 8, 2017

I second formica. The pebbly hard finish makes it pretty low friction. It's easily replaced and holds up for a long time against wood.

hobbyman · Apr 8, 2017

All the chutes and passages in sawmills in my region are lined with sheets of UHMW. It outlasts steel in terms of friction and erosion as well as being slippery.

SBAER · Apr 8, 2017

I made mine from plywood and I glued a piece of formica type laminate on it. It helped

rbjscott · Apr 8, 2017

UHMW would be very slick and durable. We use it on the bottom of our airboats. They have developed some adhesives for it lately .

winger · Apr 8, 2017

We have some adhesive teflon tape at work for some aluminum slide. Didn't think to try it on wood. Not sure how it would hold up to rough cut lumber though.

Probably purchased through MSC.

Dave

John Welden · Apr 8, 2017

Is this for industrial use?

chip's · Apr 8, 2017

UHMW is what I use as well. It is great stuff and machines easily. It is slick and awesome for sliding things on or having things slide on it.

Low friction surface for wood planer bed

Titanium

Diamond

Hot Rolled

Titanium

Hot Rolled

Hot Rolled

Hot Rolled

Diamond

Diamond

Stainless

Titanium

Hot Rolled

Titanium

Hot Rolled

Hot Rolled

Hot Rolled

Aluminum

Stainless

Diamond

Cast Iron

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