I'm having a really tough time with hand planing some poplar wood. After sanding, the dark grain made it look uneven with noticeable ridges. I was advised to plane it, but no matter what I try, I keep getting these stubborn lines that look worse than the original ridges. I've been adjusting the plane's angle and trying shallower passes, but I just end up getting nowhere. I'm considering switching to a tabletop planer, but it's my father-in-law's planer and he keeps it in good condition, so I know it's not a total wreck. I'm feeling really defeated because all I want is a flat board, but things are just not working out. I have read about blade sharpness issues, but my problem seems to revolve around the edges of the blades. Plus, the board has started to warp, which makes things even trickier. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
1 Answer
It sounds like you might need to focus on your technique. Make sure the plane is properly sharpened; if you’re unsure, check out videos by Paul Sellers, Wood By Wright, or Matt Estlea—they have some great tutorials. Properly sharpening your blade can make a huge difference!
Thanks for the suggestions! It’s tough to sift through all the noise online, but I’ll definitely check those guys out.