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When a pupil uses a smoothing or jack plane for the first time it is difficult to plane a surface accurately or smoothly. The plane tends to stick or to dig into the wood surface with the result being a damaged surface. If a few basic rules are followed this technique can be mastered. |
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BASIC GUIDANCE ON THE USE OF THE PLANE
1. The wood must be placed level and firmly in the vice. 2. Always plane in the direction of the grain. Examine the wood carefully, it may be obvious which way the grain is flowing. 3. If the plane sticks whilst in use, turn the wood the opposite way round in the vice. Now the grain may be pointing in the right direction. 4. Rub a little candle wax on the bottom of the plane. This will help the plane glide across the surface of the wood. 5. Make sure that little of the blade is sticking out off the bottom of the plane. Too much of the blade will make using the plane very difficult and it may damage the surface of the wood. 6. Always place the plane at the end of the piece of wood and push it firmly across the entire length, without it lifting off the surface. Lift the plane back to the starting position. Pulling the plane back along the wood surface will 'blunt' the blade quickly. 7. Always use a sharp blade.
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| Using smoothing
plane - plane the edge of a piece of softwood until it is level.
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