A few thoughts about Hand Planing

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Every once in a while I go down to the shop to just plane some boards.  It is relaxing hearing the swoosh of the hand plane against the wood as I cut.

It takes practice, and technique to plane a board flat with no marks from the cutter.

If you curve the blade, and go at an angle it can help.  Also doing end grain can be a challenge. Spelching can occur among other issues.

I own several planes. A number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7.  I also have a few block planes.  I have a #6 1800’s woodie that I am eventually going to refurbish.

In my work I mainly use small block planes to smooth out edges, or trim down an inlay.  When I have to fill large areas on furniture the block planes also come in handy.

I mainly use the larger planes when I make parts for furniture, or if I get a chance to make a furniture piece.  I try to  incorporate hand planes in my work whenever I get a chance.

My daughter calls the shavings “curlys”.

Daddy can you make some more curlys for me?  Yes Victoria, let’s go down to the shop.

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Curlys

Zeke Willard