Although I have a couple of toothing planes, I was wondering what the expert opinion was on the most beneficial tpi count was for toothing planes. I’d assume it might vary for softwoods vs hardwoods so there’s at least two answers required there, , but does it also vary if you angelate it x-grain (after all ain’t the idea to generate “tooth”-) which is much easier done if you go cross grain?
What say the illuminati?
Eric
Replies
Eric. I'm going to guess that if anyone in here knows the answer it's Ernie Conover, so we'll wait to see if he has a reply.
Since I don't have any experience with a toothing plane, I did some Web research to discover that these planes are used to rough up a surface before applying veneer or gluing two surfaces together (but then you already knew that). Based on that definition, I can't imagine that the TPI is that important.
Anyhow, I too am curious to hear the answer so stay tuned...
Matt Berger
Fine Woodworking
Edited 4/16/2007 1:54 pm ET by MBerger
The best place for your toothing planes is in your plane collection. Up through the early 20th century it was thought that roughing groundwork in preparation for veneer improved the glue bond. By mid century it was realized that glue held by molecular attraction and interaction and that toothing the surface actually made adhesion worse. Many glue bonds follow the formula that the strength of the bond drops by a power of three as the gap increases. This leads directly that toothing is counterproductive. The best preparation of groundwork is to hand plane with a very sharp bench plane.
With best regards,
Ernie Conover
Does that "power of three" apply to hide glue as well?Anyway, thanks for the input. Eric
It does not apply as much to hide glue but toothing still decreases the strength of this glue. With best regards,Ernie Conover
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