I'm starting to flatten and square some 1"x2" red oak boards I got as rejects from a furniture manufacturer. I'm planning to use them to build a small entryway table, which is my first project in years. I've already worked on one board, but I still see some tear-out that I want to fix. My question is: can I effectively use just a #4 Stanley plane for all the squaring, flattening, and smoothing of these smaller boards? I'm considering getting a #5 1/2 jack plane and a #7 in the future, but I want to hold off on spending that much for now. Any advice would be much appreciated!
3 Answers
If your boards aren't extremely long, a #4 should do the job just fine. Just make sure you have a square to check your angles, a good marking gauge, and a pencil to mark reference faces. Chris Schwarz has a great video on this topic that might help you out!
A #4 plane can definitely help with flattening, especially if your boards are only a little longer than the plane itself. Just remember to use a straight edge and winding sticks to keep things straight and check your progress often. It's easy to get a bit off while working, so stay vigilant!
While a #4 is a capable tool, achieving consistent thickness along the length of the boards will be tricky. I usually recommend a #5 1/2 or a #7 for that kind of work. Those make it a lot easier to get good results. By the way, if you're working with rough sawn lumber, consider getting a #40—it's quite handy!
Lol! I feel you! Unfortunately, my skills are better with the other kind of wood, if you catch my drift. I appreciate the advice and the tool suggestions! I'll definitely look into the #40.
That's good advice, thank you! I think I wasn't checking as frequently as I should have. It's easy to lose track when taking multiple passes.