My top three – FineWoodworking

I write a book on how to use hand tools, but I use machines and power tools in my shop.I do it because I can, but I’m pretty sure you don’t need them for woodworking. minimalist woodworker Book. I wanted to emphasize that beautiful wooden objects can be created without the use of machines or power tools. That said, I think the best solution for me (and quite a few others) is to work with a mix of both hand and power tools.

There’s a lot of information about the power tools you “need” to do the job, but not much about how to blend in some hand tools to complement those machines. He has three top planes that I tend to gravitate to when working in my shop. Note that the brand of tool is not that important. They make simple tasks difficult and frustrating. As my father, Livio Tesorín, used to say: When I buy garbage, I cry and cry and cry. ”

These are my three go-to planes at Blend Shop.

Jack

This tool can be used for various tasks. It’s like a jack of all trades. In my shop it is only used to flatten stock that is too wide for a jointer. With a jack you can comfortably flatten material up to 500mm (20 inches) wide, and with a little more care you can make it wider. The blade is heavily cambered with the corner recessed about 1mm (0.039 inch). This is because we want to work quickly and don’t care too much about surface quality at this point.

Smooth

No matter what machine you use to surface your component, you should always remove the machine marks (unless you have a super surfacer, you’re a lucky duck). Even the best helical cutterheads leave marks. Enter smoother. For mild woods that withstand planing well, there is no better surface than that left by a hand planer. The surface is shiny, smooth and free of scratches. Not all wood cuts well and is best sanded. But for things that I plan a lot, I love to make the surface smoother and more lifelike.

block

Blockplanes are great for working on board edges. The low blade presentation and sharp blade make working on these surfaces quicker. A power saw will always mark the grout, but it may not be noticeable until the finish is applied. Also, dull blades can leave severe burns and deep scratches on the end grain. Block planes can correct these problems while power blades are being sharpened. I also use it for crafting and sharpening weird pencils.

Of course, the key to all these tools is a sharp blade and practice. It takes less time to master than a table saw or router and can take your work to the next level. Introduce one plane. Certainly without my trio, I would be lost.

	Type of hand plane There are different planes for different jobs, from sizing and preparing materials, to cutting and installing joinery, flattening and smoothing surfaces, and shaping parts.
	how to unload a plane Vic Tesolin joins the never-ending debate about the ‘proper’ way to stop an aircraft.
	Hand planing tips and tricks Tips and tricks for edge bonding, endgrain cleanup, and surface smoothing.