All,
I’m playing with the idea of making a new handle for one of my planes. I’ve got some black walnut that is fairly straight grained. I also have some scraps of Wenge that is very straight grained. Would the Wenge work as a handle? I’ve looked at Mikes stuff (Planewood….it’s very beautiful) and it appears the best way to cut the stock is so the grain is fairly horizontal..is that correct? thanks
Edited 2/19/2004 4:30:30 PM ET by BG
Replies
Hey BG -
Actually quartersawn is not the best to use. That puts the weakest point right at the point that gets the most force applied. By this I mean when the grain of the handle is horizontal front to back and side to side. You actually want wood more to the outside of the tree with the grain running more vertical when you look at the end of the board.
Stanley used almost quartersawn material and that has led to many handles cracked about 1" up from the base, always right along the grain.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
PlaneWood
Mike,
I could do the cut out on the diagonal.. so the grain would run from the bottom outside to the top inside...would that do it? Also, any opinions about Wenge? thanks
Never used Wenge so don't know.
Just buy boards that have some wild grain, then mark your patterns and saw away. All i'm saying is don't get quartersawn. Most of the exotics you can buy these days will fit the bill. Trees nowdays aren't big enough to produce quartersawn.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood
Mike,
thanks.
BG
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