Hand Plane Tuning

1) I purchased a granite surface plate from woodcraft which works fine for small planes. I also purchased a glass lapping plate from Lee Valley. It works ok. You can also use your table saw wing or bed of your jointer if needed.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=33017&cat=1,43072

2) I would look for the PSA on ebay. Lee Valley does have some 2 1/2” PSA rolls

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=sandpaper

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Tempered 1/4” glass from your local glass supplier works just as well for a lapping plate, too. You get to choose the size that way.

You don’t have to use PSA paper, I use spray adhesive and regular non-adhesive paper.

-- Paul, Texas

I have found that Rockler has the best deal for getting into the Scary Sharp system… especially, when you consider shipping costs, etc.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?Offerings_ID=5983&TabSelect=Details

I got the Coarse System and the Fine Sandpaper set…

Works like a charm…

http://www.woodworkstuff.net/scary.html

You will like it!!

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"

If you are REAL serious, Grizzly sells surface plates in sizes up to 24×36 and 3 inches thick. I use one that is 24×24 to stamp leather. I also use a smaller graniter one with PC adhesive sand paper to lap planes. I use 110 and 320 paper on it.

-- Thos. Angle

I also have a Grizzly surface plate, and like it a lot. Mine’s 12” x 18” x 3”. This is the borderline size that you’d want to move around, and then not very often. It weighs around 80 pounds. A granite plate like this is probably cheaper than glass if you’re near a Grizzly store and don’t have to pay for shipping. If you have to ship it, then glass will probably be cheaper.

I’ve found it tough to get even coverage with the spray adhesive and then the sandpapaer isn’t as flat as when I use PSA. The PSA is a little easier to remove too.

-- johnjoiner