I have some pressure-treated 4x4s that I've rough milled down to 1x4 for an outdoor furniture project. They're not as flat as I need them to be, and all I have for jointing and planing are some old-school hand planes. I've typically worked with pressure-treated lumber using power tools, so I'm curious about how much wear and tear I might expect on my blades and surfaces, especially since my antique wood-body jointer isn't much bigger than a Stanley #7. The project involves about 24 board feet of wood that needs to look good, so I'm eager to hear about any experiences or horror stories you've had!
2 Answers
Totally get the struggle! Working with softwoods like cedar can definitely test your patience with a hand plane. I've had similar issues; it can be hard to achieve a smooth finish. Just take your time and expect some tear-out. Also, if you notice wear on your blades, it might not be as bad as you'd think since cedar is pretty gentle on edges. Just keep them sharp!
Yeah, using 4x4s for furniture can be a headache! They tend to warp unless you're super careful. As for working with cedar, it can be tricky with hand tools. It's soft, so you might find it tears or crushes instead of cutting nicely, especially with a chisel. But the good news is it shouldn't dull your tools too much because of that softness.