Planer Snipe – What is it and can it be avoided?

When your surface planer takes off more wood at the ends than it does in the middle, typically more on the leading than the trailing end, this is planer snipe.

Can planer snipe be avoided? We don’t think so, and it doesn’t always happen. The best approach is to allow for it – just in case.

Step 1. Allow for possible planer snipe by leaving the pieces long.

Step 2. Surface plane all the pieces, before the glue up.

Not all woodworkers surface plane before the glue up, but we do. It’s important – we’ll write more about that soon. Continue reading →