Comments on: Use a Smoothing Plane to Prepare Wood For Final Finishing http://woodtreks.com/use-a-smoothing-plane-for-the-perfect-finish/139/ Keith Cruickshank's Video Blog For Wood Craft & Wood Art Enthusiasts Tue, 29 May 2012 16:33:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Tony Clancy http://woodtreks.com/use-a-smoothing-plane-for-the-perfect-finish/139/comment-page-1/#comment-2234 Tony Clancy Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:28:05 +0000 http://woodtreks.com/?p=139#comment-2234 Quite obviously one would not camber a blade on a smoothing plane. That defeats the purpose. As for smoothness of mouldings....sanding with fine GLASS paper...not emery (and in most cases, on a block, not supported only by hand)can be followed by what professional french-polishers used...as do I...fine steel wool after the appropriate scraper...and scrapers don't have to stay the 'shop size' they can be cut to suit particular purposes. . Craig's commentary is valuable however...as he showed, but didn't bring to our attention as he should have, timber blocked only say the END by adog or other can wander and spoil the surface. Timber should be supported closely on at least 3 sides by a frame screws to the bench, or to an adjustable fixture made for the purpose and of timber...which is solidly able to be fitted to the bench and the frame should be less in height than will be the finished timber...and just low enough so it cannot intrude on the planer's hands...you can't teach amateurs half the story....you MUST teach them how to firmly hold the victim timber. Cheers Tony <em>Keith's Notes: One thing I've observed while filming some truly talented artisans is that there are many ways to reach a desired objective. That's why I so welcome your comments here at WoodTreks. Thanks.</em> Quite obviously one would not camber a blade on a smoothing plane. That defeats the purpose. As for smoothness of mouldings….sanding with fine GLASS paper…not emery (and in most cases, on a block, not supported only by hand)can be followed by what professional french-polishers used…as do I…fine steel wool after the appropriate scraper…and scrapers don’t have to stay the ‘shop size’ they can be cut to suit particular purposes. . Craig’s commentary is valuable however…as he showed, but didn’t bring to our attention as he should have, timber blocked only say the END by adog or other can wander and spoil the surface. Timber should be supported closely on at least 3 sides by a frame screws to the bench, or to an adjustable fixture made for the purpose and of timber…which is solidly able to be fitted to the bench and the frame should be less in height than will be the finished timber…and just low enough so it cannot intrude on the planer’s hands…you can’t teach amateurs half the story….you MUST teach them how to firmly hold the victim timber. Cheers Tony

Keith’s Notes: One thing I’ve observed while filming some truly talented artisans is that there are many ways to reach a desired objective. That’s why I so welcome your comments here at WoodTreks. Thanks.

]]> By: Ed http://woodtreks.com/use-a-smoothing-plane-for-the-perfect-finish/139/comment-page-1/#comment-2057 Ed Sun, 06 Mar 2011 05:40:51 +0000 http://woodtreks.com/?p=139#comment-2057 One craftsman told me he likes sanding because, while the planed surface is beautiful, he can not plane mouldings and other details of the piece, so he sands in order to get a uniform finish over the whole piece. He might use different grades in different places to plan ahead for how different grains might take up more/less finish and blotch. I was wondering how Craig approaches these sorts of things. <em>Keith's Note: I can't answer for Craig, but when I chat with him next I'll ask him and relay it on here. As for the advice about prepping for finishing by sanding all surfaces with the same final grit - I would agree with the advice you got. Complex shapes call for a uniform abrasive rubdown. If you are working, as Craig often does, on flat surfaces that can all be smooth planed then, of course, the need to sand is lessened.</em> One craftsman told me he likes sanding because, while the planed surface is beautiful, he can not plane mouldings and other details of the piece, so he sands in order to get a uniform finish over the whole piece. He might use different grades in different places to plan ahead for how different grains might take up more/less finish and blotch. I was wondering how Craig approaches these sorts of things.

Keith’s Note: I can’t answer for Craig, but when I chat with him next I’ll ask him and relay it on here. As for the advice about prepping for finishing by sanding all surfaces with the same final grit – I would agree with the advice you got. Complex shapes call for a uniform abrasive rubdown. If you are working, as Craig often does, on flat surfaces that can all be smooth planed then, of course, the need to sand is lessened.

]]> By: Keith http://woodtreks.com/use-a-smoothing-plane-for-the-perfect-finish/139/comment-page-1/#comment-61 Keith Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:55:14 +0000 http://woodtreks.com/?p=139#comment-61 Eric - That is correct. He sharpens his blades flat. He says that if he takes a fine enough cut, he won't have the typical edge ridges that most of us are accustomed to seeing. Eric – That is correct. He sharpens his blades flat. He says that if he takes a fine enough cut, he won’t have the typical edge ridges that most of us are accustomed to seeing.

]]> By: Eric http://woodtreks.com/use-a-smoothing-plane-for-the-perfect-finish/139/comment-page-1/#comment-60 Eric Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:51:12 +0000 http://woodtreks.com/?p=139#comment-60 Very nice video. Sounds like maybe Craig doesn't camber his blade? Very nice video. Sounds like maybe Craig doesn’t camber his blade?

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