I noticed in Lonnie Bird’s latest video on this site that he does not seem to lift the plane he’s using from the stock after each stroke. It looks – and sounds – like he’s simply pulling the plane back on the stock and pushing it forward again.
I’ve always been told that it’s a good idea to lift cutting tools (planes, files) from the stock in order to avoid unnecessary wear and dulling on the cutting edges. And that’s the way I’ve always done it. Now Lonnie Bird is a somewhat better and more accomplished craftsman than I’ll ever be. Better looking as well. But what’s the concensus (ha! like we’d ever agree to anything!) on this practice?
Zolton
* Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want.
Replies
When I'm flattening large surfaces, I find myself dragging the plane back, also, as you describe. I've not noticed any increase in the frequency of sharpening, and I can only acredit the act to pure laziness, as I don't always want to waste the energy lifting the plane, and restarting at the beginning of the board. Dragging it back takes less energy.
Jeff
I've not noticed any increase in the frequency of sharpening....I do that and thinks it is sort of like 'stroppin' the blade to remove any burrs!
I lift the plane on the return stoke, not so much out of concern of maintaining the edge, but because I often plane against a stop ( in other words not clamped between dogs); if I didn't lift the plane, it would pull the stock back with it.
Rob Millard
http://www.americanfederalperiod.com
if I didn't lift the plane, it would pull the stock back with it.
Rob
Sounds like you work like Mack Headley down in Williamsburg VA. I watch those guys and their clamping techniques and I am amazed. I tend to squeeze stuff between my tail-vise dog and the bench.
I asked Mack about not clamping it and just planing against the stop and he said they work like that because of the benches they found to be in the shop in the 18th century but more importantly - he has just become accustomed to it.
I think this is like that story about the old nascar driver telling the younger driver to gas and brake to help balance the car in a turn. Any concentration on this will just distract you and slow you down. My advice is to not think about it, and just get your work done. Video footage reveals I sometimes lift, sometimes don't, often drag the plane's toe. I just don't think any of it matters.
Adam
Zolton
Which video? Can you give me the name of the video or link? Thanks. Tom
Thanks for all the input on this issue. I guess I'll just continue to lift the plane after each stroke, as that's the way I've always done it and I feel comfortable doing it that way.
One other thing to add to this is that in the video (it's the one about flattening a panel with a handplane, on the "home" page of this website), Lowe is using a #7, which is a long, heavy beast. I never use one that big. Maybe if I did I'd drag it back instead of picking it up...
Plane on.. Zolton* Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want.
Z,
After reading Derek's stuff then Brent Beach's even more detailed research, concerning wear bevels, I have devised a theory:
Pulling the plane back when on the wood increases the wear bevel but also increases sharpness, as the "wear" is tending to make the metal at the blade edge stretch rather than compress (as it does when pushing out a shaving).
This is a Wild Theory with zero evidence. Perhaps Derek will devise An Experiment? :-)
I do claim to have performed a lot of smoothing of a 6ft 6in X 3ft 4 in oak table top this week with no re-sharpening of the blade yet required (and no tear out) albeit it is getting a little harder to push. That blade is still sharp enough, despite (maybe because of) the dragging return strokes. It is a BU blade working at 60 degrees - 45 degree bevel on a 15 degree bed.
Lataxe, WW Philosopher.
PS If the theory is true, this will retrospectively justify my lazy habit of not lifting the plane when bringing it back. Them Marcous is Heavy Thangs, let me tell you.
Edited 10/29/2007 4:48 pm ET by Lataxe
Them Marcous is Heavy Thangs, let me tell you.
och g'ea ya lightweight..
;P~~
they're only little... how heavy can they beeeeee...??Mike Wallace
Stay safe....Have fun
Mike,
You forget that a Madcoo is made of solid gold, figuratively speaking at least;and is therefore Very Heavy. I have increased my attendance at the gymnasium but despite the now immense triceps, biceps and (dare I say it) glutes, I find I am still a lazy boy..................
I was badly brought up.
Lataxe, plane-dragger.
Notwithstanding all the other advice, just make sure you use an oil pad and draw the sole backwards across it from time to time. Planing becomes so much more pleasant with a little lubrication.
If you oil with linseed do clean the sole before putting the plane away. My pad is made of a bit of fire blanket, for obvious reasons!
Lonnie Bird or Phil Lowe? I think you mean Phil Lowe but your initial inquiry is siting Lonnie Bird.
noticed in Lonnie Bird's latest video on this site that he does not seem to lift the plane he's using from the stock after each stroke. It looks - and sounds - like he's simply pulling the plane back on the stock and pushing it forward again.
later
Zolton,
I was trying to come up with a way that high end plane makers could take care of the problem of letting the plane drag back after pushing it forward. It is possible that Philip Marcou could devise a system of four wheels on springs, in the four corners of the plane. When you press down, the wheels drop back into their holes. However, when you let up on the pressure, the wheels come out, so that when you pull the plane back, the blade does not drag.
Another approach would be to put tiny holes in the bottom of the plane, through which air is shot out, thus acting like an air cushion vehicle. The air would only come out when the plane is going in reverse. However, this system would have to have hoses attached to an air compressor, and would be a little ungainly.
If Philip is not interested in developments along these lines, you might try Lie Nielsen of Lee Valley.
Enjoy,
Mel
PS I am thinking of coming out with a series of "exercise videos" emphasizing fitness and weight loss through the use of woodworking hand tools. Planes will play a big role in this series.
Measure your output in smiles per board foot.
Hand plane pull-back ..
I think that is sort of like wood 'strop' that is not leather!
Metod,
Better to be a back-dragging hand-planer, than a common knuckle-dragging neanderthal...
Ray
Metod,
Grunt! Um, ooh, ooh, orp. Works for me,
Your troglodite friend,
Ray
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