Just wondering who uses a thickness planer to thin backs, sides, tops,fingerboards and bridge blanks? 

Since I don't have a drum sander and can't justify the expense yet for the amount of guitars that I build, I used a hand plane to thin my first top and back and side set from the rough thickness. Even with a palm sander, this turned out to be quite an exercise in patience.  I vowed to never do that again, so I bought a thickness planer for the next ones.  I have thinned several sets since then but I am always concerned about chip out. Except for highly figured sets, any concerns with using these to minimize the hand work?   

I have since started buys pre-sanded wood since the added cost is minimal, however, I have several sets that are nearly 1/4" thick.  My planer only thins to .140", any tips for using some sort of backing board to get a thinner end product? 

Since I am in a small town, I haven't found a sander here or would gladly pay to have it sanded for me!

Thanks,

Laurie

Thanks - the reason I asked was that I had a similar reaction from a supplier.  He doesn't build guitars (but sells tonewood), so I was curious what everyone else thinks.   I have had only one "oops" which was totally my fault.  I was planing a piece of lightly figured Mayan Walnut (from LMI), was in a bit of a hurry and took too much off in one pass, resulting in a small chip.  It falls under the neck block, so no worries with that one, but it opened my eyes to the potential for problems with other woods 

I am surprised how clean the wood comes out, a pic of the mayan walnut is below which hasn't been sanded yet. 

BTW - I don't have a drill press, but the Wagner safe-t-planer is on the list....

Laurie