Sanding issues

[Tomanydogs]

Thanks Bill. Trackman was able to give me the information I needed to square up my strips before butting them together. I have now cut the rings for the bowl. After I butted and the glue dried I gave it a sanding top and bottom. What I didn't realize till after I cut the rings is that I should have squared the block too. Now I'll have to do more sanding to get the rings butted before gluing. It's all a learning thing. I really like making bowls.

Or maybe you are wondering the main problem for using the plane. The main problem there is finding someone who can physically show me the proper way to use it.

[OCtoolguy]

If you are talking about a hand plane, that's a whole different ball game. The secret is a very sharp blade and then having it true to the bed (flat part) of the plane. A very thin cut is best. Adjust the blade in until there is nothing sticking out. You should feel no drag on the plane as you run it across the wood. Then adjust it until you just start to feel drag. Don't try to run the plane in perfect parallel to the wood. Sort of turn it a bit so it's going a little bit crossways to the wood. That way you will get a slicing cut. Practice on keeping the plane level to the wood or else you will be taking more off one side than the other. It's something that you will get better at, the more you do it. Sort of like learning to play the guitar. Practice practice practice.

 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Again all I can suggest is find someone who can teach this stuff to you or look for videos on utube. Even using a hand plane can be used to square the ends of boards if used correctly and most times a shooting board is used in conjunction with a hand plane. But again sharp blades is key and setting the plane up is also key. Type of plane is important because there are many types and styles and they are used for different things. 

[Roberta Moreton]

Do check YouTube. There is a large difference between a block plane and a bench plane.  The sharper the better. And only reveal a very small portion of the blade (iron).