Planing end grain - a 5 minute experiment

**derekcohen** · 1st December 2004, 02:28 PM

One of the frequent queries posted here is about the choice of (small) block planes - whether to purchase a low angle (LA) or standard angle (SA) version. As you all know, the LA is bedded at 12 degrees and, with a bevel of 25 degrees, ends up with a cutting angle of 37 degrees. The SA is bedded at 20 degrees, so the same blade ends with a cutting angle of 45 degrees.

Some argue that their SA cuts end grain as well as a LA. Well I was skeptical, and finally decided that I had to test this out.

Among my block planes I have a Stanley #65 (LA) knuckle joint and a Stanley #18 (SA) knuckle joint. I chose to use the same Hock blade in both, with careful emphasis on setting up to obtain the best cut out of each (setting up takes a couple of minutes at most). The Hock blade was not specially sharpened. In fact it was a tad dull, if anything. However I did hone it on a felt pad with Veritas green compound. In this form it took nice shavings with both planes.

I decided to give the #18 the best shot of a clean edge by using the blade first in that plane. This was then followed by the #65. The timber of choice was a piece of radiata pine end grain. The same piece was used for each plane.

Below are the pics I took on my scanner of the results. The SA is on the left side, with the LA on the right. The LA piece was much cleaner and transparent than the SA piece, which had a smooth but matt finish by comparison.

Conclusion: For end grain planing (only) the LA block wins by the proverbial mile!

Regards from Perth

Derek

**Wood Borer** · 1st December 2004, 02:37 PM

Derek,

My experiences also lead to the same conclusion.

I have found that the LA's become dull much faster though. I haven't conducted any controlled experiments but it always seems that way.

I still use my LA's quite a lot but tend to favour the SA's when I am doing less critical work such as cleaning up dovetails that will be mostly hidden.

Have you or anyone else experienced this or is it all in my imagination?

**Termite** · 1st December 2004, 02:45 PM

Derek, I've been using my SA 5 1/2 for shooting with a view to getting a Veritas LA smoother, but is a LA Block plane good enough for the job?

**derekcohen** · 1st December 2004, 03:39 PM

WB

I think that the reason that WAs become duller on end grain is because that is tough to plane. A bit like riding into a wave, rather than through the troughs.

I also prefer the SA for working with the grain. In fact I am going to grind a blade to 64 degrees cutting angle to act as a mini smoother (you have your #2 for that), although 64 degrees would better suit hardwoods.

Termite

Yes, you can use a LA block plane for end grain on a shooting board. The disadvantage is in the size of the blade (narrower) and also in the relative lack of momentum that the larger bench planes carry through the cut.

Regards from Perth

Derek

**Wood Borer** · 1st December 2004, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by Termite

Derek, I've been using my SA 5 1/2 for shooting with a view to getting a Veritas LA smoother, but is a LA Block plane good enough for the job?

Termite,

SWMBO some time ago very kindly bought me a No 9. The No 9 has the blade at 20 degrees bevel up with a 25 degree bevel. This works very nicely although I made my shooting board for 45 degree mitres. This is the same angle as the standard block plane. I must make a 90 degree shooting board one day.....

I think the longer the plane for a shooing board the better within reason for both accuracy and momentum as Derek indicated.

Derek,

I was referring to cutting end grain using both the SA and LA block planes.

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