Turning fence palings into dressed timber–part 3

Setting up for planing the edges of fence paling boards.

I have relocated the dust extractor from the top of the table (thicknesser mode) to underneath the table.

Turning fence palings into dressed timber-part 2

Turning fence palings into dressed timber–part 1

Turning fence palings into dressed timber with the ALDI WorkZone Planer Thicknesser.

Dressed pine timber is expensive - very expensive. Wherever possible I use cheap fence palings for my projects and… if needed I dress my own timber.

The machine has two configurations - planer and thicknesser. We are setup for the latter here to smooth the paling faces.

Planer thicknesser - planer fence (part 5)

Now for the final part of this build, screw on the actual front timber piece for this sliding fence.

To reiterate the whole purpose of this sliding fence is to even blade wear (when edge planning) across the full width of the table - as shown here. Measured, cut and screwed on the last piece of timber - the actual fence.

Planer thicknesser - planer fence (part 4)

Here you can see what I've been trying to achieve last few sessions. The big washer is a mudguard washer' - very handy.

Planer thicknesser - planer fence (part 3)

From the last session we’ll start making the knobs for the threaded rod.

Start making the clamp knobs.

Planer Thicknesser fence - Part 2

Continuing on from the first session here we are making the moveable part of the sliding fence.

Cutting slots in the two side panels.

Planer Thicknesser fence - Part 1

The unit works really well. Here for the first time I’ve just run some timber through the thicknesser and now cleaning up the edges.

One thing I’m already thinking about is uneven blade wear. The fence side of the blades is going to get a lot of use which is likely to show up when using the thicknesser. If that fence could be moved across the table that would even out blade wear.

Workshop updates

Raining outside so we’ll potter in the shed today. Made some improvements to the dust extractor for the planer thicknesser machine and then did some computer stuff.

Modified a pipe clamp for the output end and used some double-sided foam tape (only one side peeled off) for a neater more leak proof connection. The angle is now easily adjusted.

Workzone planer thicknesser - dust extraction

After having a play with the machine just running a couple of pieces of timber through thicknesser made a mess. We need to rig up some dust extraction.

The extraction port is 100mm; that's big !!!...so came up with this solution.
Stormwater U bend push fit into the extractor port.
Lolly tin cover with inside cut out for dog food tin - soldered.
Sink 90 degree plumbing fitting with vacuum hose push fit.

ALDI Workzone planer thicknesser.

As posted neighbour gave me this machine last Saturday and been keen to have a play but been busy with customer jobs. Completed all those jobs this morning so here I am trying out the thicknesser AKA jointer…more to come.

ALDI Workzone Bench Top Planer Thicknesser

My neighbour who also has a woodworking workshop came over to see what I'm up to with my silhouette night lights and related stuff like name signs. Went over to help him with something and came back with a nifty bench top planer thicknesser - wow. Bought it, never used it…take it mate…


ALDI Workzone Bench Top Planer Thicknesser - it's bloody heavy. Walked pass this many times thinking should I get one, they sell for $299