using thickness planer to create backing strips

[yewsage]

You guys do this?

I've got a ridgid thickness planer that goes to 1/4".  I want 1/8" backing.  What do i use to attach the strip-blank to a flat planing jig so that it will not move around?

[Moen]

Hello, Canada.
I have glued 80 grid paper to my planing Jig. I use that for thickness planing and for my beltsander. The backingstrip will not move at all. But i suggest sharp tools;)If not, the backing will be beaten to pieces;)
Good luck.

[jsweka]

You might also try some double sided tape.

[ChristopherO]

I saw a tutorial once where a master craftsman was showing how to prevent snipe on the end of boards with a thickness planer.  He clamps a long piece of MDF faced with a smooth veneer as the bed of the planer instead of what originally comes standard as the planer bed.  This slat is extended beyond the feed and exhaust of the machine by at least a couple of feet each way and kept level the whole length.   This allows the boards to pass through without the ends being snipped deeper than the rest of the board.
Since I saw that I've been using a smooth Oak plank for the same purpose.  When this is in place you are not limited to the minimum depth the machine is set up for and it helps to keep the ends of your pieces from being overcut.
Hope that made sense.
I've used a thickness planer to make backing strips before and they seemed to work fine until I screwed up the rest of the bow.

[yewsage]

thanks Christopher, good explanation.  I just found a delta 12.5 inch thickness planer for just over 250, and a delta 6 inch jointer for just over 300.  I'm gonna pick them up.  The initial impulse is to make furniture for me and my new wife.  But of course i'll use it for bowmaking too!