Thread: Newbie wood planning

Hi,
you call yourself a newbie, so I'm guessing that you're just starting out and are not completely familiar with hand tools.
Where did your plane come from, new or second hand - hand-me-down.

If it's new it will need fettling, that is the sole flattening, the frog (blade holder) seating properly and adjusting for the cut you want (thin or real thin shavings), and the blade needs to be polished on the back and ground and honed on the bevel side.

If its second hand (more likely) it's the way it's been ground and honed, probably in a very slight arc, this is a way of sharpening a blade so that it does not cut the full width but by the same token does not leave sharp blade corner lines on your wood. If it's not cutting correctly and is this shape it probably does need a good honing.

That is a quick overview, tuning a plane is a whole subject in itself. Try looking through here for more information, http://www.cianperez.com/Wood/WoodDo...DEX_How_To.htm

Welcome to the wonderful world of wood,