Get the most from your planer

Runners secure short stock

Scrapwood runners help you get use from cutoffs, like this 8" piece of leopardwood. Because most planers won't safely and accurately machine single workpieces shorter than 12", use special runners when you need to plane a board that short, as shown. To do this, glue sacrificial runners - at least 12" long and slightly thicker than the workpiece - to your stock's edges. Be certain to glue the carriers parallel to each other so they will maintain equal contact with the feed rollers. Wipe away glue squeeze-out that will nick the knives. Once you've milled your board to the desired thickness, rip away the runners on the tablesaw.