78 Chapter 4 Hand Tools
Planing the First Edge
Select the best edge of the stock and deter-
mine the direction of its grain. Clamp the board
in a vise, close to the edge. Plane along the edge
by holding the plane level and at a slight angle
to the edge. This provides a shearing cut. Check
along the length of the edge for accuracy with a
straightedge. Check the edge with a try square,
making sure it is square to the working face. See
Figure 4-44.
Planing the First End
Planing end grain requires a very thin shav-
ing made with a sharp plane. A block plane is
best for planing end grain. The plane iron of a
block plane consists of a one-piece blade that has
a lower angle than other planes. The sharpened
bevel should be on the top side to defl ect the
shavings.
Square a line across the end of the stock.
Clamp the stock in a vise near the layout mark.
Set the block plane to make a fi ne cut. Use light,
uniform pressure while holding the plane level.
Push the plane from one edge to the middle of
the stock. Next, plane from the other edge to the
middle of the stock, Figure 4-45. Do not plane
across the entire end in one direction only. Do-
ing so can cause splitting of the opposite corner.
The ends of narrow stock may be planed
by clamping a back-up board against the op-
posite edge for support. You can then plane in
one direction.
Another method of planing end grain is to
plane or cut a slight bevel on the edge that has
not yet been planed. This procedure allows you
to plane in one direction toward the bevel. Make
sure that the bevel is not deeper than the amount
of material to be removed from the edge. When
the end is square, begin working on the un-
planed edge.
Planing the Second End
Measure the length of the stock from the
squared end. Use a square to mark a straight line.
Cut the stock to length with a backsaw. Make
sure that you cut on the waste side of the line.
Square this end, following the same proce-
dure used for planing the other end. Remember
to always check the squareness of the stock us-
ing the edge and surface that have already been
squared.
Planing the Second Edge
Square the second edge of the stock after
squaring both ends. Lay out the width of the
board from the fi nished edge. Draw a line along
the length of the board. You may be able to use
the marking gauge for narrower pieces. If neces-
sary, cut the stock to rough width (approximate
fi nished width plus 1/8″ to 1/4″) using a ripsaw.
Plane the second edge to the line and square
to the face. Remember to use the working surface
to check for the squareness of the edge and ends.
Squaring the Second Surface
If the stock is thicker than 1/8″, use a mark-
ing gauge to mark the desired thickness of the
stock. Place the head of the marking gauge on the
working surface when laying out the thickness.
Plane the second surface to this line. When you
are fi nished, both surfaces of the stock should be
parallel and square with both ends and edges.
Figure 4-44. When checking an edge for squareness,
make sure the handle of the square is fl ush with the
working face of the stock.
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