1 Topic by runkatorun

  • runkatorun
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  • Registered: 2014-08-07
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Topic: Electric planer for making flaked plastic

I have looked at a lot of threads and most of the ones about recycling plastic either use a custom grinder or a kitchen / milk bar blender.  I was considering making my own plastic grinder but saw on a woodworking forum that an electric planer will work fine on plastic.  The type they tried was HDPE - which I know is not ideal for extruding, but would at least be an indicator of suitability.

Given I can buy a cheap Ozito planer for $30 from the major hardware chain (Bunnings in Australia) I can't see much of a drawback in giving it a go.

Has anyone tried this?

2 Reply by Weekend Avenger

  • Weekend Avenger
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  • Registered: 2014-06-17
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Re: Electric planer for making flaked plastic

I'd think the problem would be feeding it. If you had a batch of very large failed prints that you could "secure" to a workbench and then run the planer over them, it might work. Securing the planer and "wiping" plastic parts across it to "feed" it would probably work until it ate your fingers.

Seems like a lot of work, but I live where it's just not that hard to get plastic regrind. Getting someone to sell it in small quantities is the only difficult part.

3 Reply by Barafu Albino

  • Barafu Albino
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  • From: Mordor
  • Registered: 2014-04-06
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Re: Electric planer for making flaked plastic

I think you will wear blades fast. And on large quantities, blades will heat up to the melting temp, get plastic stuck to them and eventually stop and fry the motor. Plastic grinding really needs low-speed high-torque solution because of melting.