Using that plane in the right direction to the wood grain

Press, 15 June 1978, Page 4

Using that plane in the right direction to the wood grain

As direction of grain plays such an important part in woodwork, it is worthwhile giving some attention to the best method of using a plane in relation to the grain. In a cross-grained timber it is only too easy to tear the wood deeply with one stroke of a plane in the wrong direction, and if the

wood has little thickness to spare, you might have to make it thinner than you intended to plane out these blemishes. Fig. 1 shows a piece of timber which is to be planed on surface A. Study the grain on side B. The grain indicates that planing should in the direction of the arrow — that is the direction in which the grain runs uphill. Enlarged detail of the grain (Fig. 2) shows how the cutter forces up the individual wood fibres if you choose the wrong direction. The grain may, in fact, be likened to the hair on the animal’s back. If stroked the right way the hair feels smooth and tends to lie flat. If stroked the wrong way it becomes roughened.

Sometimes the grain is interlocked, and, although sloping one way at the end it may slope the opposite way in the middle of the piece. This is known as “cranky” grained timber. With wavy grain, also, the slope will often alternate throughout the length of the timber. Where these conditions occur, the only method of finding the best direction is that of trial and error in planing. Of course, do not forget to have the plane sharp and finely set. Even then, you might tear .out a certain amount of grain, but these patches can be eliminated by using a steel wood scraper after planning.