Hey everyone! I'm pretty new to woodworking and I've just bought my very first hand plane, a Wood River 5.5 jack plane. After spending quite a bit of time flattening the back of the blade and sharpening it at 300, 1000, and 6000 grit stones, I was ready to give it a go on a pine 2x6. I carefully adjusted the blade and lateral adjuster, but I found the whole process really tough! Instead of gliding through the wood, the plane got stuck on knots, skipped at times, and my arms were tired after just 10-15 minutes. Any tips for making this experience less frustrating and more enjoyable?
3 Answers
Congrats on the new plane! It sounds like your sharpening is on point, and the factory flatness should be good, too. However, if you're working with construction-grade pine, it's going to be a challenge with all the knots. I suggest getting a clearer piece of wood like poplar to practice on; it should give you a better feel for how the plane works without the frustration of knots.
You might want to reduce the depth of the blade a bit. The wood surface isn't always perfectly flat, so it can grab if the blade is too deep. Also, don't forget to wax the sole of your plane; it really helps with the glide! Try planing at different angles too, and always work in the right direction.
Definitely check the grain direction! Pine can be tricky with its knots. Make sure you're planing with the grain, not against it. That could help with some of the sticking, especially on those knotted areas.
Thanks for the suggestion! I was running parallel with the grain, but those knots are really tricky.
That's a great idea! I can easily find some poplar to practice on. Thanks!