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Coloring Finishing And Painting Wood
Plane-bits for smoothing surfaces should have straight edges, with rounded corners, ground to a bevel of about 221/2°. Cutters used for very hard wood may be stiffer, and are often ground to a 25° or even 30° angle in extreme cases. If the surface is to be scraped after planing, the edge of the plane-bit may be very slightly curved, as in a jack-plane. The trough-like places made on a surface by such a plane can be removed later by proper scraping. Dull bits never cut smoothly and are a frequent cause of rough surfaces, torn-out fibers, and broken flakes and knots. A dull plane-bit sometimes does serious and almost irreparable damage before the cause of the trouble is discovered. Plane-bits require frequent sharpening when used on hard woods. The plane-iron cap sometimes requires sharpening, and should always fit perfectly on the cutter.
A smoother, sharper, and better cutting-edge can be put on a plane-bit if a strap is used for the finishing touches. A very practical strap for this purpose can be made by gluing to a board a piece of leather belting about 4" by 12" in size. Such a strap sharpens a tool better if very fine emery dust and cup grease are worked into the surface of the leather. If properly used on a plane-bit, the strap improves the cutting qualities as much as a razor-strap improves a razor after honing.
The plane-cutter should be carefully adjusted in the stock before planing is attempted. For fine finished work the plane-iron cap should be set close to the edge, about 1/32" back, and should be firmly clamped with the edge of the plane-bit parallel to the edge of the plane-iron cap.
The frog of the plane should be slightly advanced for smooth work, and placed so that the opening in the throat in front of the cutter is less than is ordinarily used in a jack-plane. The small throat and close adjustment of the plane-iron cap prevent to some extent the tearing out of irregular fibers or those that run against the grain.
Holding the plane when in use so that the side of the plane-stock is at an angle of from 10 to 20 degrees to the edge of the board causes the cutter to make a shearing cut, which usually leaves a smoother surface than when the parallel position of the plane is used. It is easier to secure a flat surface across grain when the plane is held in this position. Turning a plane to an angle has one disadvantage, however, in that it shortens the useful length of the plane from end to end or lengthwise of the piece.
