N00b-in-training Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 I decided to take a little break from building and just play around a bit on a small project that could be done in a day but I decided to take a week or two and learn a thing or two. I edge joined 3 10" wide ash boards together for an upcoming project, 40" in length. After cleaning up the glue squeeze out I decided to finish smoothing them with my new (and sharpened) 4 1/2 smoothing plane. I struggled from the word go trying to smooth the boards. I had one with grain going left to right and the one joined to it was going right to left. I get why that would tear out but what I couldn't figure out was tear out on the same board. On the bottom (edge closest to me) of one board I'd get tear going left to right and on the top edge of that board I'd get tear out going right to left. I dialed the depth back a bit to the thinest shaving and I was still getting it. What am I missing? Can anyone point me to good, reliable resources to help a beginner? I've read 5 different articles this evening that say 5 different things. Thanks for any guidance you guys can give! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4square Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Hone the iron some more. Not sharp enough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFatBaron Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Just as likely, the grain changed direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rodger. Posted August 18, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 (edited) I work with ash a lot, and it is known for its big cathedrals (like oak), its durability, its acceptance of colour, and its reversing grain.When hand planing ash, be very mindful of grain direction. Just because the cathedrals are going away from you, doesn't mean you are working with the grain. Check out some info in reading grain direction.if smoothing, take light cuts and tighten the mouth to produce whispy shavings. Of course, a sharp iron (and I mean sharp) is required.How about some pics? Maybe we can help a bit more. Edited August 18, 2015 by franklin pug 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N00b-in-training Posted August 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 I work with ash a lot, and it is known for its big cathedrals (like oak), its durability, its acceptance of colour, and its reversing grain.When hand planing ash, be very mindful of grain direction. Just because the cathedrals are going away from you, doesn't mean you are working with the grain. Check out some info in reading grain direction.if smoothing, take light cuts and tighten the mouth to produce whispy shavings. Of course, a sharp iron (and I mean sharp) is required.How about some pics? Maybe we can help a bit more. I was definitely on either side of the cathedral on 2 of the 3 pieces. Good graphic to help. I'm going to hone my plane some more tomorrow night and try agin. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Cap Iron, Cap Iron, Cap Iron. Not using one effectively is not using your tool to it's full potential. Search YT, practice for a bit and 90% of the wood you use will be tamed easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Cap iron. . , okay now I've got some searching to do. I thought the major job of a cap iron was to hold the blade securely to the frog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Cap iron, not lever cap. Sometimes it is called the chipbreaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodger. Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Cap Iron, Cap Iron, Cap Iron. Not using one effectively is not using your tool to it's full potential. Search YT, practice for a bit and 90% of the wood you use will be tamed easily. wwhat about bevel up planes? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 High angle micro bevel Pug. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 Agreed C :-) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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