I've recently purchased some Wenge wood, and I'm struggling with planing it. I have a Veritas bevel-up jointer equipped with a PMV-11 blade, but even after sharpening it with a 10k grit stone, I can't make more than a few passes before experiencing severe tearout—it's really frustrating! Interestingly, jointing and working on the end grain seems fine. I also have a good power sander, but even with 40 grit, flattening this wood seems to take forever. I'm looking for the best methods to tackle this situation. Should I invest in a large scraper plane? Or perhaps get an extra blade and modify its bevel like Katz-Moses suggested? I'm aiming to work more with exotic hardwoods, so I want a reliable solution for the future.
2 Answers
I deal with a lot of tricky tropical hardwoods myself. I recommend getting a blade that allows you to set a 60-degree angle of attack. Another good option is to pick up a scraper plane; my 80 does an excellent job in these challenging situations.
Honestly, I've worked with Wenge and found it isn't too difficult. You might just have a tougher piece on your hands. If you ever try rosewood, though, prepare for some serious tearout!