TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES - SMOOTHING WOOD

Question 0

What is a smoothing plane?

Answer 0

A tool that was used in Roman times.
A modern smoothing plane has a sharp steel blade (cutter) held at an angle in a metal body.
The cutter protrudes through an opening (mouth) at the base of the plane, and as the plane is pushed forwards over the wood a thin layer is sliced off.

Question 1

What are the 3 main methods to obtain a smooth finish on wood?

Answer 1

There are many methods but the main 3 are:
Planing
Scraping
Rubbing with abrasive papers

Question 2

What 2 adjusters does a smoothing plane have?

Answer 2

1. A screw to adjust the blades up and down which regulates the thickness of the cut
2. A lever mechanism to adjust the blade parallel to the base of the plane

Question 3

What is a compass plane?

Answer 3

A tool for planing around curves

Question 4

What is a combination plane?

Answer 4

A tool for planing grooves

Question 5

What is a moulding plane?

Answer 5

A tool for planing mouldings

Question 6

What are the 3 steps in planing wood?

Answer 6

1. Clamp the work firmly in a vice or to a surface
2. Adjust the blade to give a fine cut and make sure that it is parallel to the base of the plane
3. Gently guide the plane along the full length of the work - be aware of splinters if you use your hand as a guide

Question 7

How should a plane be viewed?

Answer 7

The plane is held upside down and viewed from the front along its base.
The cutter appears as a thin black line.

Question 8

If you are planing along the grain of natural timber, what should the plane do?

Answer 8

Produce continuous shavings

Question 9

What would the plane need if you are planing end grain word with a ‘difficult’?

Answer 9

The plane may need expert adjustment

Question 10

When planing end grain what is useful?

Answer 10

Positioning a piece of waste material tightly against the furthest edge to prevent splitting

Question 11

What is a scraper?

Answer 11

A scraper is a steel blade which has a sharpened and BURNISHED edge.

Question 12

How is the burnishing achieved on a scraper?

Answer 12

By rubbing under pressure with a hard piece of steel to produce the slightly turned cutting edge.

Question 13

How is the scraper held?

Answer 13

With both hands and angled forward. It needs expert sharpening

Question 14

What do abrasive papers consist of?

Answer 14

A strong paper base on which particle of abrasive are bonded.

Question 15

How are abrasive papers classified?

Answer 15

According to type and fineness of abrasive
GLASSPAPER is crushed glass
GARNET paper is crushed stone

Question 16

How should abrasive paper be used?

Answer 16

Wrapped around a block and rubbed along the grain of natural wood and veneer.
Courser papers should not be used unless necessary as the scratches are difficult to remove.

Question 17

What are disc sanders?

Answer 17

A tool which has abrasive papers mounted on a fast spinning wheel.
Work must only be forced on the ‘DOWNSIDE’ of the wheel.

Question 18

What are disc sanders especially used for?

Answer 18

Creating curves on end grain.

Question 19

What safety measures should you use when working with a disc sander?

Answer 19

ALWAYS use goggles

ALWAYS use under supervision