Stringer smoothness...

I would like to know how to get the stringer smooth without tearing or gouging? I mostly use a small spoke shave. I have noticed that the supplied blades are not that sharp. I have tried sharpening them on a sharpening stone with some success. I just know there is a tool or technique out there that can make a stringer smooth as silk. Anyone’s advice / experience is welcomed. Thanks.

I would like to know how to get the stringer smooth without tearing or > gouging? I mostly use a small spoke shave. I have noticed that the > supplied blades are not that sharp. I have tried sharpening them on a > sharpening stone with some success. I just know there is a tool or > technique out there that can make a stringer smooth as silk. Anyone’s > advice / experience is welcomed. Thanks. Try a small block plane, or a hobby plane. hold it at a 45 degree angle to the stringer. Somtimes planing in one direction will produce a smoother stringer than the other, so experiment a little while you’re shaping to find out the smoothest way to go. I hope this helps, Scott.

get a stanley baby block plane. set the blade so that it’s barely cutting at all. this way, the blade is “skimming” over the stringer. you can make a bunch of passes and get a perfect finish.

Ralph, First make sure you tools are SHARP!! Use the little spokeshave only for the nose area or anywhere you have curve at the stringer. A hobby plane about 2" long for the rest of the board. Mine is plastic and has blades almost like a razor blade. I forget the manufacturer, but I bought 10 of em in case they stop making 'em! You can also round the edges of the blade a little so the edges don’t gouge. Use one hand to push the plane and your index finger of the other hand pushing down on the plane DIRECTLY over the stringer. You’ll be going 2 diffrent ways on the stringer when you’re planing. At the nose you’ll plane from the nose toward the tail for about1\2 to 3\4 of the way. Then from the tail towards the middle till you feel the grain of the wood change. Every stringer is diffrent, so you’ll have to determine the grain pattern during rough in. Good Luck! aloha