HI Folks
Been working with African Blackwood again this week. It is an amazingly dense timber (and I'm sure it smells like liquorice - but that might be an illusion) and has amazing grain. And its black!
The downside is that it is a difficult timber to work. Very!
To plane this without tear-out can be very taxing. I use a plane with a 60 degree pitch and sharpen the blade often to ensure the best possible cut. But even then, some areas just don't want to play. So out comes the scraper.
I have a humble #80 (tuned up with a Hock blade) and it doesn't see a lot of use. But when you are backed into a corner it usually saves the day. It tamed this piece of Blackwood without raising a sweat.
Only downside with the #80 is its short (read tiny!) sole. Guess I should add a scraper plane to my list of "Must Build" plane projects.
Cheers
Philly
4 comments:
Ah, the scraper - so simple yet so effective ;-) It would be interesting to see your take on the scraper plane....
Nice piece of Blackwood.
Cheers ;-)
Paul Chapman
Paul
Got a few things on my plate at the moment but definitely will have a go soon.
Best regards
Phil
For something to use until you get around to making a scraper plane, the Veritas scraper plane has a longer sole, Phil. Not sure if it is worth it, but you might want to check it out.
Ethan
Yes, I like the Veritas - a nice upgrade on the Stanley.
Cheers
Phil
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