65 - Our Best Bench Yet, страница 33
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS "smoothers" or smoothing planes fend are used for final surface preparation. The longest planes are called jointers. They're used for flattening and leveling stock, as well as creating straight edges when gluing boards into a panel. In between the smoother and the jointer is the jack plane. The jack plane (#5) is probably the most common of all the bench planes, and it's a good one to purchase if you plan on buying only one bench plane. This plane will do just about anything you need it to, from smoothing to jointing to thick-nessing, see photo at right. It really is a "jack-of-all-trades," which might explain how it got its name. But while a jack plane can be used in a lot of situations, it's often a compromise. If you decide that you really like using hand planes, I would suggest adding a smoother (#4) and a jointer (#7). The reasons for this are simple. If you are trying to create a straight edge or level out Ae face of a board, a smoother P»lane tends to run up and down over the "hills and valleys" of the wood. But a longer jointer plane will ride over only the high spots, removing them quickly and leveling out the workpiece, see photo below. By the same token, the shorter length of a smoothing plane allows you to concentrate your planing on a specific area, like a patch of difficult grain. And because A Jack Plane. A jack plane like this #5 can be used to quickly flatten a glued-up panel. Once the panel is level, you can use a smoothing plane (#3 or #4) to remove any planing marks left behind by the jack plane. smoothing planes are smaller and lighter, they aren't as tiring to use as a jointer or a jack plane. Corrugated Sole - One common feature you may run across on bench planes is a "corrugated" sole (see margin photo at right). This is just a series of shallow grooves milled into the sole (bottom) of the plane. The grooves supposedly help reduce friction between the plane and the wood, making planing easier. I have both kinds of planes (corrugated and smooth sole) in my shop, and I can't really tell any difference. But it's worth knowing what the grooves are for. Where to Buy Planes - You might be able to find a block plane or jack plane at your local hardware % Jointer Plane. The long sole of this #7 jointer plane helps to level the high spots and create a smooth, straight edge on the workpiece. This is important for getting strong, tight-fitting joints when edge-gluing boards. store or home center. But frankly, I would steer clear of these planes. You are generally better off buying planes from a place that specializes in woodworking tools. (Most of the woodworking mail order companies carry hand planes.) Stanley and Record are two of the better known brands of plane-makers, and their planes are reasonably priced. (You can expect to pay $40-$50 for a block plane and slightly more for a bench plane, depending on the size.) Another option to consider is a used plane. You can often buy a used plane for a fraction of the cost of a new one. And many woodworkers actually prefer older planes over newer ones. But if you decide to go this route, it pays to thoroughly familiarize yourself with hand planes before buying one so you can tell if any parts are missing or damaged. Whether you buy new or used, you'll need to spend some time tuning up your plane and sharpening the blade. (There are several good books and articles that can help you do this.) But the most important thing is to make sure you use it. Get some scrap wood and start making shavings. It takes a little practice at first, but once you get the hang of using hand planes, I bet you'll be hooked. ^ A Corrugated Sole. Shallow grooves milled into the sole of this plane are designed to decrease friction while planing. No. 65 ShopNotes 33 |
