Timber ribbing/ridging tool

[Glueman2]

I am looking to make or source a timber ribbing tool for putting ridges on decking boards. Preferably driven by a hand drill or grinder. Any thoughts?

[Frank S]

Not sure if I am thinking about the same thing you are but the only machine I ever heard of or saw that cut a series of groves in the surface of decking boards was a hand planer or a walk behind floor planer instead of having the standard planning knives they were re ground to have 1 inch gaps leaving about 3/8" of the knives for the cutting edges. this may or may not be what you are thinking

[Glueman2]

Thanks Frank S. It is a thought to bear in mind. The ridges I am trying to duplicate are round topped and about 6mm peak to peak. I might re purpose a pretty useless power plane I have.

[Frank S]

if the boards or planks are not already laid in place you might think about a shaper

[C-Bag]

Sure would be nice to have an example of what you're trying to do.......

[Moby Duck]

Pretty much all pine decking in NZ comes with these ridges pre machined on one side at no extra cost, and it has done so for many years now, but it is not that popular these days. Most people today actually fit it upside down, (ridges facing downwards), because the ridges tend to damage and splinter easily, and water doesn't run off the grooves easily and it creates the perfect area to grow mould, collect dirt etc. Grooved decks are high maintenance. If you intend to groove your own pre treated timber you will compromise the rot/termite protection given to the timber.

[Glueman2]

Thanks Moby Duck. It was easily available here in QLD as well and then went to plain board. I have just found out my usual supplier again stocks the pre-ribbed board so my problem has been sorted. As a point of interest the boards are designed to be fitted rib down to help stop water collecting between board and deck beams. Often fitted with ribbing up in places like homes for the elderly for better grip.

[Glueman2]

Hi C-Bag, this is what I was trying to do