Planing wood can lead to snipe—deeper cuts at board ends due to uneven pressure or misalignment—and tear-out, where fibers are ripped rather than sliced. Prevent these by supporting boards, using sharp knives, taking light passes, and feeding with the grain. Using backer boards and proper equipment also helps achieve smooth, clean results.
Planing wood can transform rough lumber into smooth, dimensioned boards—but two common issues often frustrate woodworkers: snipe and tear-out. Understanding why these occur and how to prevent them will save time, material, and headaches.
What is Snipe?
Snipe is the unwanted deeper cut at the beginning or end of a board, usually caused by uneven pressure or misalignment as the board enters or exits the planer.
Causes:
- Uneven pressure from feed rollers
- Improper infeed/outfeed support
- Incorrect bed or roller height
Solutions:
- Support the Board: Use infeed and outfeed tables or roller stands to keep the board level.
- Lift Slightly at Entry and Exit: Apply upward pressure at the ends to counter roller pressure.
- Plan Extra Length: Leave a few extra inches on each board and trim after planing.
- Check Machine Setup: Ensure bed rollers and pressure bars are correctly adjusted.
What is Tear-Out?
Tear-out happens when planer knives lift and rip wood fibers instead of slicing cleanly, leaving rough patches or gouges.
Causes:
- Grain running against the cutting direction
- Dull knives
- Aggressive depth of cut
Solutions:
- Inspect Grain Direction: Feed boards so the grain slopes downward toward the planer.
- Take Light Passes: Remove small amounts per pass (1/32"–1/16") to reduce stress on fibers.
- Sharp Knives Matter: Keep blades sharp and clean for smooth cutting.
- Use a Backer Board: For highly figured or difficult grain, sandwich the board between sacrificial pieces.
- Consider a Helical Head: Upgrading to a spiral cutterhead reduces tear-out significantly.
Pro Tips
- Check moisture content: Wood that’s too dry or wet is more likely to tear out.
- Final pass finesse: Take the lightest cut possible on your last pass for glass-smooth results.
- Use backer boards for difficult grain: Especially with figured or end-grain boards.
Product Suggestions
- Grizzly T34606 Planer/Miter Saw Stand: Features adjustable infeed/outfeed rollers, supports up to 220 pounds, and is compatible with most bench tools.
- Grizzly T33692 3‑in‑1 Roller Stand: Adjustable height (27–40¾″), supports 300 lbs., with single‑ or ball‑roller options for flexible use.
- Grizzly T30673 Heavy‑Duty Roller Stand: Built for long stock, supports 2,000 lbs., height adjustable from 24–38″.