Page 1 of Any woodworking tools experts out there.

I just bought a Draper 250mm smoothing plane.
Do I need to hone the blade or any thing else before I use it, or can I use it straight out of the box?
Any advice most appreciated.

Thanks

All tools should be ready to go straight away. Companies tend not to make tools that you immediately have to spend more money on. :p

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Quote:
Pete-MK says...
All tools should be ready to go straight away. Companies tend not to make tools that you immediately have to spend more money on. ....actually, things like chisels (decent ones) often need sharpening to a decent edge from new..

As for the plane, does it feel very sharp? ;)
Either way, you`re gonna need a stone and honing guide at some point....  New blades are rarely as sharp as you will get them yourself..

Ste

When you buy a snowboard you have to de-tune your edges at the front of the board. In other words, get your file and blunt them off a bit.

Hope that helps.

Doc.


"Compassion is another word for gay." Psycho Paul, 2010.

Oh, and never rest the plane blade side down as your grandad will go mental.

Doc.


"Compassion is another word for gay." Psycho Paul, 2010.

i concur

Shokat

The blade is honed to the correct angle, as are other makes such as B&Q`s / Screwfix non-branded power planes. You can use it "Out of the box" and as such I would give you the following wee tips.


To get used to the plane set the cutting depth to about 2 mm and phanny about ( Technical term )  This will let you get used to the actual feel of the planer when working with it and the weight.


If using the vacuum attachment  take extra care as most of the time the hose will actually cause the planer to pull to the side the hose is connected on. To prevent this try and keep the hose above the surface you are planing to minimise the pull of the hose.


Make sure the planer is at full speed before conrtact with the wood and be aware that depending on the depth of cut "Kickback" can occur ( Better to do six passes at 2mm than three at 4 mm.


Plane at a constant speed , a doors width should take about ten seconds to plane 2mm off the bottom (Just a guide)  Any slower and the blade will start scorching the wood.   


When you are finished ALWAYS   turn the cutting depth to the absolute minimum , fully turned back, as this will protect the blade  from damage.

When the blades are chipped/ blunt you should be able to reverse them as most blades are honed on two opposite faces.


Wear ear protection, safety goggles and a dust mask as you will be surprised at how much schecht gets thrown out even with a hose connected to a vacuum cleaner.  

Hope this helps, I stick to this and have managed quite well. 

Choagy FFCUK The SPL


PS Better to buy a pair of reversible blades rather than honing them yourself as you will rarely get the angle correct and power planers are quiyte fussy where balance is concerned and a badly/ unevenly honed blade can be problematic when rotating at 12-16000 rpm  .

This item was edited on Tuesday, 31st May 2011, 20:44