Hand Plane question
Joe Keenan
Hello All,
OK, I may be sorry I ever asked - but here it goes . . .
Why does a hand plane's geometry vary from that of a power
hand plane (or jointer)?
A hand plane's sole is a fixed plane and the blade protrudes
from it. On the powered version the leading edge is on a
parallel plane (coplaner I believe) to the plane that the
trailing edge and blade use.
I understand how the powered version will produce a nice straight
edge on a board, but how does a hand jointer? I would think that
a hand jointer would compound any deviation, on every run.
This question is focussed to all you galoots and neanderthals that
also follow this forum - I left my asbestos shorts at home, so I
didn't dare ask such a naive question on the porch.
Thanks
-Joe
Patrick Olguin
On Thu, 23 Oct 1997, Joe Keenan wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> OK, I may be sorry I ever asked - but here it goes . . .
Why? I didn't see mention of what rip fence to buy, or what finish to use
on a breadboard; you didn't even demand response via private e-mail. So
far so good, Joe. Just don't go staining any cherry.
>
> Why does a hand plane's geometry vary from that of a power
> hand plane (or jointer)?
Before I answer that, there *is* one plane that approximates the
mechanical behavior of a jointer. It's called a Stanley #72 chamfering
plane, and it is one unique-looking puppy, not to mention expens-ee-vo.
So, a hand plane can be built that way. Question is, who'd want to?
>
> A hand plane's sole is a fixed plane and the blade protrudes
> from it. On the powered version the leading edge is on a
> parallel plane (coplaner I believe) to the plane that the
> trailing edge and blade use.
Yup.
>
> I understand how the powered version will produce a nice straight
> edge on a board, but how does a hand jointer? I would think that
> a hand jointer would compound any deviation, on every run.
Yes, that can happen, but only if board being jointed starts out convex.
As you have analyzed, two coplanar tables define two planes. As the board
is jointed, it eventually matches the second plane. A jointer plane only
approximates a plane (geometrically-speaking, not tool-speaking. IMHO, a
handheld planer apporximates a plane tool-speaking). That approximation is
pretty darned close, hoever, as a well-tuned jointer plane can take off
shavings less than 0.002 inches thick. For woodworking, that's plenty
close enough.
So, how does the happy woodoworker "approximate a plane" with a nice
hand-held jointer plane? Well, he roughs out the edge with a jack or fore
plane, taking off a little more in the middle than at the edges. On really
long boards, I check progress with a string. On short boards, eyeballing
it easily suffices (a short board is mebbe 4 feet). It's amazing how
quickly even the rankest amateur can detect a straight line with the naked
(or contact-lensed/bespectacled) eye.
When the edge is just a little concave, and "square enough for gubment
work", the aspiring Neanderthal lights a couple votive candles and brings
out his #8 (not really a defective plane, just a really big one) jointer
plane. The perfectly coplanar toe and heel of the plane ride over the
hollow of the roughed-out edge, and plane the hills at each end. It's
imperative that the budding Galoot keep firm pressure on the toe at the
beginning of the stroke, and equally firm pressure on the tote at the end
of the stroke. When the plane takes off one continuous shaving, the edge
is straight. Unfortunately, it may not be square. This is where shooting
boards, jointer gauges, and other crutches.... err jigs come in handy.
Alternately, the blossoming low-brow can periodically check his/her
progress with a square. If planing out of square, simply move over the the
high spot. Don't try to tilt the plane to compensate.
Jointing by hand is not an automatic procedure, unless the now flourishing
bubba is using a shooting board or other guide. It's a plane-a-little,
check-a-little procedure. After some practice, you'll be able to joint a
board dead-straight, then mebbe have to make one or two final passes to
square it up.
Anyway, that's the long version of how a hand plane works differently
than a power jointer. The short version is: it's cheaper to make that way,
and you can get close enough, given the proper technique.
>
> This question is focussed to all you galoots and neanderthals that
> also follow this forum - I left my asbestos shorts at home, so I
> didn't dare ask such a naive question on the porch.
Flames on the porch? Heavens! If we didn't have naive questions on the
porch, we'd have precious little traffic, Joe. Stop by and take a lean
sometime. There's a link from my oldtools page to the archive. [spit-tang]
O'Deen
+=============================================================+
| http://www.concentric.net/~odeen/oldtools |
+=============================================================+
Dave Mundt
Greetings and Salutations from the Dweller In the Citystate of the
Vincible Overlord!
Patrick, my hat is off to you... That was a GREAT posting. It
explained the process well, and with enough humor to make what can be
a tedious task sound almost appealing
Thanks for the moment!
Regards
Dave Mundt
Patrick Olguin <Od...@concentric.net> wrote:
>On Thu, 23 Oct 1997, Joe Keenan wrote:
>
>> Hello All,
*SNIP* of WAY too much stuff...
Richy
Patrick Olguin <Od...@concentric.net> wrote in article
<Pine.SUN.3.96.97102...@galileo.cris.com>...
>
> Tedium?
>
> Tedium is painting the trim on one's house.
Actually I rather enjoy painting the trim. Painting the field - now that's
tedium!
Tedium is mowing the lawn.
> Tedium is putting the dishes away, vacuuming the house. Tedium is
> sharpenign thirty or so chisels, because you've let them all get dull.
>
> To plane a board straight, with some simple hand tools, using your own
> skill, is a joy and a privilege. At least to me it is.
If I could actually do it, I would agree. Just as making a
properly-fitting mortise with a chisel is more satisfying than it is with a
routah.
Rich
DavidSloan
>To plane a board straight, with some simple hand tools, using your own
>skill, is a joy and a privilege. At least to me it is.
>
Amen O'Deen, Amen. Best therapy I'VE ever found.
David Sloan
American Woodworker mag