Replies

1. 
   jpari | Apr 04, 2002 10:04pm | #1

   I have been using hand planes for many years and have heard the same concern voiced by several times. The answer in my experience is that it dosen't matter which method you use. Drawing the plane back without lifting it off the wood will not damage the blade. In fact, I use this technique just about all the time, and do so because I find it slightly faster and more comfortable, especially when planing for long periods of time.

2. 
   SawdustSteve | Apr 04, 2002 10:09pm | #2

   Many years ago when I was learning wood-working, I was taught two rules that MUST be followed... 1  ALWAYS lift the plane when bringing it back, and 2) always lay the plane down on its side, NEVER on its sole.  As I remember, the reason was the same for both... It keeps the blade in adjustment longer and the less touching extraneous surfaces the blade gets, the longer it will stay sharp.   These rules were repeated daily and I can still hear my teachers voice from 45 years ago reminding us of these rules.

   SawdustSteve 

1. 
   sschefer | Apr 04, 2002 10:16pm | #3

   I aggree with you there Sawdust... My old shop teacher had a big old foam rubber mallet that he would throw at you from accross the shop if he caught you in violation of rules 1 or 2.  It didn't hurt, but it sure got your attention ! I'm laughing right now.. As I remember it, I got more than my share of Mallet whacks....Steve - in Northern California

1. 
   SCFrankland | Apr 04, 2002 11:52pm | #4

   I hate to see a plane left on it sole. Also I find you get a better finish when you don't run the plan backwards over the surface.Scott C. Frankland

   Newfoundland Wood Worker

2. 
   SgianDubh | Apr 05, 2002 04:11am | #5

   Uh, oh. I'd stand a good chance of that mallet being hurled at me ten times a day, five or six days a week then. For over twenty five years I've more often than not dragged the plane back over the timber I'm planing, and I consistently place it on its sole-- but when I'm planing, I'm usually producing shavings, lots of them-- and they make quite a passable cushion for the plane's sole I find. You guys can go ahead lifting after each cut and laying the thing on its side if you like, but I don't think either habit is better or worse than what I get up to.  Slainte, RJ.Some people are born a couple of nips under par. I'm not one of them.

1. 
   lwilliams | Apr 05, 2002 03:48pm | #6

   Sgian,

   I'm sure glad you fessed up. I've got a bunch of planes around here setting on their soles and quite a few of them are set for use. There was a time I was careful to only lay a set plane on its side but I don't do it any more. My bench is made of wood and so are the shelves the other planes are on but there are plenty of other metal things that could be bumped into the exposed iron of a plane resting on its side. I was probably "born a couple nips under par" but I think there are enough serious issues in wood working that it's best to avoid worrying about things that don't really matter.

2. 
   sschefer | Apr 05, 2002 06:53pm | #7

   Bammm,,,,, the old shop teacher just got me again.... This time from the grave... Yep I admit it, the mallet didn't work all that well.Steve - in Northern California