Replies

1. 
   joinerswork | Aug 01, 2004 05:27am | #1

   JJ,

   I've had the best luck working curly maple by first being sure all the tools are good and sharp before starting out.  Light passes on the planer, less than 1/16".  Some like to sponge the surface of the board with water before sending thru the planer.  Sometimes, a little tearout is inevitable.  Plan on finishing up with a thickness sander, or else a lot of scraping.

   Allow for plenty of seasonal movement, maple will swell and shrink more than you'd think possible.

   Good luck on your project.

   Regards,

   Ray

2. 
   Alan | Aug 01, 2004 11:33pm | #2

   Jacob,

   Go about what with the curly maple?

   Alan

1. 
   Mr_JJ | Aug 02, 2004 07:41pm | #3

   I need to plane it to 5/8, then run a rabbet along the edge.

1. 
   Alan | Aug 03, 2004 03:02am | #4

   Jacob,

   If you have lots of power tools I'm not the right guy to help you.  I'm a devotee' of hand tools.  But...

   With my hand tools, depending on how thick the wood is, I would begin with either my scrub plane or my jack to get it to rough dimensions; then use my jointer to flatten it; and then my smoother.

   I would run the rabbet with my rabbet plane.

   No sweat--so long as all my irons are sharp.  Curly maple can be prone to tear out IME.  But a sharp iron and a light cut work wonders.

   BTW, you live in one of the  most beautiful places I've ever seen.

   Alan

3. 
   TomHigby | Aug 07, 2004 04:59am | #5

   You probably have a design in mind, but I can't keep from making a suggestion,  having made five of such chests for family members.  Your sisters first name should be carved on the lid or front of the chest.  Letter carving is fun, also demanding.  Sharpen some chisels so thay you can shave the hair from your hand, lay out some letters on some scrap wood and give it a try.  Dover publications has several inexpensive books of alphabet styles.  Old Engllish or Gothic letters work well.  Curly maple looks elegant with carved letters.

   Tom