Fig. 60.
These tests ought to give the worker a pretty fair idea of what and how much he dare plane, so that when he begins he may work intelligently. As few shavings as possible, and those thin ones, with the proper result attained, show forethought and care. Nowhere can good, common sense be used to better advantage than in learning to plane.
When planes are not in use they should be laid on their sides, or otherwise placed so that the cutting edge shall not touch anything.
For roughing off and straightening broad surfaces, the jack-plane should be used, and this followed by the smooth-plane.
When using the plane, stand with the right side to the bench; avoid a stooping position. [Fig. 61]. The plane should rest flat upon the wood from start to finish. Press heavily upon the knob in starting and upon the handle in finishing the stroke. Unless care is taken to hold the plane level in starting and stopping, the result will be as indicated in [Fig. 62 A].
Fig. 61.
Fig. 62.
Take as long a shaving as the nature of the work will permit. In planing long boards or where it is desired to lower one particular place only, it becomes necessary to stop the stroke before the end of the board is reached. That no mark shall show at the place where the plane-iron is lifted, it is necessary to feather the shaving. This is done by holding the toe of the plane upon the board and raising the heel as the stroke proceeds, beginning just before the stopping point is reached. If the cut is to commence other than at the end of the piece, lower the heel after having started the forward stroke with the toe upon the board.