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Chips ‘n Tips 12: Smooth Planing 101

10 comments
9 years ago
Chips N Tips     Hand Planing

Win woodworking prizesEveryone needs a smoothing plane. They can eliminate (or very nearly) sandpaper and they leave the surface of your wood glowing and baby butt smooth for finish. But its not just as simple as running the plane over the wood. In this episode I share a few tips to ensure your smoothing plane success when preparing your next project for finish.

This Episode’s Prize Winner

chips n tips prize…is Rob Mousel and he picked up a copy of Peter Follansbee’s Joint Chest DVD from Lie Nielsen. Congratulations Rob. If you haven’t registered for a chance to win prizes with each new episode then head over to the Chips ‘n Tips page and get it done.

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Glenn

Shannon,

Great video! I have a question about your camber on planes in general and the smoothing plane specifically. Do you put your camber’s on during grinding or is it just a stone process? I’m guessing based on what you said that for the smoother, it is a stone on process and may be more taking down the corners of the blade than a full camber – is that right? On all planes from scrub, to jack, to jointer, to smoother, how do you decide how much of a camber? I’ve researched it a bit on the internet but I see conflicting information that leaves me more confused than anything.

Thanks! ——- Glenn

    Shannon

    For the smoother this is a stone thing. It is so slight that I don’t think I could do it on a grinder. In fact I add camber on the 8000 stone on the microbevel. It is so slight I can erase it on my 1000 grit stone honing on the primary bevel. You saw how slight when I created a plane track with less than a quarter of a turn on the adjuster and the shaving went from Photoshopped super model to actual super model skinny.

    The only other plane where I camber the iron is my Fore and Scrub and that is ground on because they are 8 and 3″ radii.

    As far as how did I decide on how much, I honestly don’t remember. The definite radii of the rough planes probably came from somebody like Chris Schwarz and I made templates years ago and haven’t thought any more about it. The smoother camber is borne from not wanting to make it difficult so I do as little as possible to remove plane tracks. Since I free hand everything I’m probably creating a different camber every time I do it but I just erase the microbevel every time I sharpen so it doesn’t matter.

Chris Hudson

As someone who after maybe 7 years can consistently now get a mirror-like planed final surface, I want to commend you for a focused, succinct, summation on how to do it.

If you are out there like I was years ago – frustrated trying to do this – watch this over and over. Then try, try, try.

But first make sure you have a good tool, well-tuned and sharp. Not knowing my plane was poorly setup and a with a thin chattering blade was my problem for all too long.

One smoothing plane? My vote: the Veritas bevel-up Jack Plane with the standard 25-degree bevel. Nicely massive compared to the #4. Versatile with additional irons (get ONLY 25-degree blades and then micro-bevel them 38 or whatever if you need that. Thanks Derek Cohen!)

‘Saint Schwarz’ (Hmmm. He is thankfully very much alive… How about ‘Yoda Master Schwarz’?) is never better.

Thanks, Shannon!

John DiMartino

Best video I have ever seen on how to use a smoother. Thank you for showing all of the small steps involved and what to look for.

Jonathan

Incredible video Shannon!! Thanks so much, I think that is as close to being there in person with you guiding us through the process as it could get. Extremely informative and to the point. Not sure if you are going to be at Handworks, or will have an area set up, but if so maybe you could bring a small, baby-smooth board for us to feel what its supposed to feel like 🙂

Thanks again, this was terrific!

Chris

Nice video. Was that a plane mounted camera? I liked those shots….

Steve

For a beginner like me this is what I need to see. I am still trying to determine what is “sharp” and what is “sharp”. This touchy feely stuff is so new to me coming from the power tool sector of my life. But I know that is where you came from so I appreciate your tips so much.
Thanks for your tips!

Joe

Good video Shannon, but I have one request. My cat often sits on my desk while I watch videos. Could you tuck your mic cord in? It drives him nuts and he keep knocking my monitor around. Thanks.

Eric R

Great tips Shannon.
Thanks.

James William

Great video Shannon. When doing something as straight forward as smoothing planing, lighting in the shop often gets overlooked and disregarded. This is the only video that pointed that out. Kudos!