Using a Plane

[crokett]

Lee Sumner (aka dedaddy) did a wonderful job fettling a Stanley #5 for me. Now I just need to learn to use it to justify his workmanship. I guess I forgot what my junior high shop teacher taught me. I got the plane back today and was running some test cuts but kept catching the plane in the wood. Was I trying to take too much of a bite? Not pushing hard enough? Should I hold the plane at a slight angle to the grain so I get more of a shearing cut?

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Lee Sumner (aka dedaddy) did a wonderful job fettling a Stanley #5 for me. Me too!


Now I just need to learn to use it to justify his workmanship. Me too!

I guess I forgot what my junior high shop teacher taught me. I got the plane back today and was running some test cuts but kept catching the plane in the wood. Was I trying to take too much of a bite? Yes, that is part of the proboem. Not pushing hard enough? Not likely. Should I hold the plane at a slight angle to the grain so I get more of a shearing cut? Absolutely. Make a world of difference.

The man can sharpen and tune a plane without question!

[Pappy]

Probably too much bite is the main problem. Plane with the grain if possible. Sometimes the grain reverses along a board. Skewing the plane a little helps.

[BrazosJake]

Warning: Hand planes are to woodworking what a double black-diamond slope is to snow-sking. In other words, you are entering the slipperiest of slopes from which there is little hope of return.

Planing against the grain would be my guess, always plane "downhill". What kinda wood you workin with? Edge or face planing?

Yes, skewing does help.

Starting out, I'd stick with very clear, straight-grained stock. I find the diffuse-porus woods like poplar, birch, maple the easiest to plane. Oak can be a bear.

Once you've experienced the nice little curly ribbons and glass-smooth finish, you're done for.

[Uncle Cracker]

Once you've experienced the nice little curly ribbons and glass-smooth finish, you're done for.

Then it's off to the bank for a second mortgage to get that assortment of Lie-Nielsen's...

[crokett]

Oak can be a bear.

Then that's part of it since I am trying to face plane oak. I have some poplar cutoffs I will play with.