Trying to shape with a close tolerance blank…so much so that the final product will be only 1/2 of an inch less than the current thickness of the blank. I am thinking of doing this without a power planer seeing as how my board count to date is still under 10 and I would probably end up overshaping. What should be my alternative tools…sanding block,sureform?? Thanks in advance - Brandon
Trying to shape with a close tolerance blank…so much so that the final > product will be only 1/2 of an inch less than the current thickness of the > blank. I am thinking of doing this without a power planer seeing as how my > board count to date is still under 10 and I would probably end up > overshaping. What should be my alternative tools…sanding > block,sureform?? Thanks in advance - Brandon…you could use a #5 hand block plan.Herb.
Trying to shape with a close tolerance blank…so much so that the final > product will be only 1/2 of an inch less than the current thickness of the > blank. I am thinking of doing this without a power planer seeing as how my > board count to date is still under 10 and I would probably end up > overshaping. What should be my alternative tools…sanding > block,sureform?? Thanks in advance - Brandon Brandon, I skin so many blanks by running my planer nearly on zero. All you want to do is break the skin off the blank. I didn’t understand this when some of the “A” blanks came out in the early 90’S. I was still trying to attack the problem with full cuts from the deck and bottom. Just go about it slowly, there’s no hurry, try til you get the feel, it will come. http://www.JimtheGenius@aol.com
Brandon, I skin so many blanks by running my planer nearly on zero. All > you want to do is break the skin off the blank. I didn’t understand this > when some of the “A” blanks came out in the early 90’S. I was > still trying to attack the problem with full cuts from the deck and > bottom. Just go about it slowly, there’s no hurry, try til you get the > feel, it will come. I talked with someone yesterday that shaped for a major label a long time ago and he said that he used to shape with a bull nose planer making 1/8" wide cuts on the rails. He said that while it might have been slow it was the best way for him to get over his fear of using power tools on the rails while getting the job done right.
I have used a low angle block plane by Stanley, then shape and bring down the stringer as you remove scratches thickness etc…and before you know it you will be down that half inch you wanted. Or as Jim said, set your plane at practically zero an just skin the flats. If you are gutsy and want to experiment, shape the rails with a polisher and medium to soft pad loaded with sand paper…be careful by the nose and do it by hand.
I talked with someone yesterday that shaped for a major label a long time > ago and he said that he used to shape with a bull nose planer making > 1/8" wide cuts on the rails. He said that while it might have been > slow it was the best way for him to get over his fear of using power tools > on the rails while getting the job done right. Drew, anyone that “shaped” for a major label, must not have had much command of his planer. I can’t think of any company that would have someone inexperienced on their production line. I work closely with one shaper who cannot for the life of hisself, turn rails with a planer and it shows! Yesterday he asked one of the “B” string shapers to tune up a balsa board he had shaped. He prides himself as being one of the Todos/Cabo big wave gun shapers. Learn to use the PLANER as if it were an extention of your arm. Do it right or don’t do it at all. http://www.JimtheGenius@aol.com