Woodworking can be a difficult business. You need the right tools to make it easier. One of the most critical activities in woodworking is smoothing out surfaces. Whether its an irregular board that needs flattening or a cabinet door that needs finishing, a woodworkers gotta smooth it out.
There are many amazing tools on the market. But ask any woodworker about a woodworking staple that makes it a breeze to smooth surfaces, and theyll answer a hand planer. This guide will describe what hand planners are and how they work. So, lets dive right in.
WHAT DO HAND PLANERS DO?
A hand planer is primarily designed to sand and smooth wooden surfaces. It features a sharp metal plate at its base that is attached to a firm body. When you move it on a wooden surface, it shaves off wood in thin slices to create a smooth surface.
To smoothen the surfaces of your projects, you can use a handheld plane in one of these ways:
Sanding
The easiest way to make any wood surface smooth is through sanding. Planers can be used with different blades so you can select the one that will help you smoothen a surface.
A high-speed, reusable steel blade is able to make shallow cuts on wood surfaces. For maximum control, a traditional handplaner is best if you are sanding thick boards. A power planer is better for small jobs.
Chamfering
Simply put, chamfering is making a transitional edge between an objects two faces. To remove a 90-degree edge, chamfering involves making a small 45 degree cut. Chamfering allows for thin boards of wood or panels to be placed perpendicularly to the cut. If you have a hand planer, you can easily dig a chamfer in a wood piece.
Wood restoration
A handheld planer can be used to restore wood pieces that have been damaged by insects or knots. A planer can be used to smoothen the piece’s surface and remove any blemishes. But wood restoration should be done before applying paint or coating to get the finest results.
A hand planer will remove gouges as long as they are not too deep ingrained and between 0 and 0.125 inches in length.
Flattening uneven boards
Many a time, youll come across a seemingly fine wood piece that features an uneven curve. You cannot use this type of wood piece to make anything unless it is flattened. A hand planer can help flatten the unevenness of the board to provide you with a smooth and leveled surface for your project. You can run it across the piece until youre satisfied with the flatness.
CONCLUSION
There are many woodworking tools on the market, but one tool that woodworkers love is the hand planer. This hand-held tool, which dates back centuries, can be used to level uneven wood surfaces and sand gritty areas. You can also carve wood shavings on rough edges. A handheld planer will give you a smoother surface that lasts long after it has been finished.
