I’ve got a handful of boards under my planner now but one thing I am having a problem with is foam chop around the stringer - when I shave the stringer down (with my block plane) to flatten the mid section out toward the end of the shape. It’s hard for me to get rid of that doom feeling around the stringer without taking it down at this point. When i sand the chop around the stringer i get that raised feeling once again. Suggestions?
Updated 11/08/04
Great responses - thanks to all! Perhaps I need to clarify one thing, the chop issue is in the foam to the side of the stringer - the stringer cut is great, but it is chopping the foam on each side of the stringer - i am using the stanly block plane with generic blade.
sharp block plane. very , very sharp. its alot harder to get a flatter stringer when you’re shaping a whole board by hand in my opinion… take the stringer down as much as possible then sand lightly
What kind of block plane do you have? A low-angle block plane works well, but the blade has to be sharp as stated before. Plane irons (the blade) are not ready to use straight from the factory. You need to take it out and: Flatten the flat side so it’s dead flat using whetstones. Then round the corners a little to prevent gouges. Then hone the cutting edge. Did I mention that it has to be really sharp?
I would recommend getting a “How To” book on sharpening. It will be worth its weight in gold as far as making your work more productive and headache-free. A sharp block plane can cut cleanly at the stringer, but only if it’s…well, you know.
Also, hold the plane diagonally as you move it along the stringer. It will slice much better that way. Doug
As stated, the secret is razor sharp plane blades. I’ve done some presentations on how to sharpen planes and chisels over the years. I’ve been a furniture maker for 30+ years and have also made a few multi stringer balsa boards. I’ve probably tried every sharpening “secret” ever divulged in search of the perfect edge and for the past 15 years I’ve settled on a very simple method for getting a razor edge on a plane blade. I can actually get continuous stringer shavings off my block plane the length of a ten foot board that are uniform and thin enough to read newsprint through them. A few of the surgeons where my wife is a nurse at the childrens burn hospital have told me they think my plane blades and chisels would perform better than their high tech instruments.
I’ve been asked over recent months to post a “101” class with pics here on Swaylocks. To describe the procedure clearly with detail and photos will require an extra long post which is why I have been reluctant to bore everyone with it. Many other pros have their own methods, but if you’re interested in mine I’d be glad to put something together and post it. Perhaps I could post it in a continuous series of posts such as Bert did a few months ago with his presentation on how to glass up multiple fins.
If a few of you happen to read this and respond with any interest I’ll put it together.
Working in the same field as you are, (just like quite a few others here if I understand well) I would nevertheless greatly appreciate to be allowed to share your experience. Please, go for it!
Don’t know if this was mentioned elsewhere but I seem to remember Dave Johnson of Progressive in Santa Barbara using a little tiny Barbie planer about 3/4 to an inch wide at most to shave down that last little dome of stringger. If you do lot of boards might be worth it.