Hand Plane Problems...Probably user error...:(

The two things I would try first in order to reduce that problem is to sharpen the iron and then back it off some to take thinner shavings, as thin as possible. You could also try changing the direction, beginning at the other end of the board, as you may be going against the grain.

-- Dale Manning, Carthage, NY

I tried the Blade at multiple lengths thinking that was the problem. The blade was the one that came with it, so maybe I’ll get a good new blade and give it another shot.

Is the sole flat?

Unless you purchased a very high-end plane, the blade is likely to not be a sharp as it should be. As DealM said, I would start by sharpening the blade and then adjust it for thin shavings. Even if you buy a new blade, it will, most likely, need sharpening before you use it.

-- Best regards, Jack -- I may not be good, but I'm slow -- www.BarnhillWoodworks.com

If you are going to use a hand plane (& most other cutting hand tools), you need to be able to sharpen.

-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence Wake Up America!! Please read; http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/26-0

You have major chatter because the blade is out too far. You don’t need t replace the blade just yet. Learn to sharpen it first and take very light cuts. Start at zero grab and very lightly advance the blade in 1/8 of a turn increments. Make several passes the very first time the blade grabs a bit of wood.

Try the lie nielsen page for a very simple one point lesson on proper sharpening technique.

Once you have learned to use a plane, you will get hooked. It is nothing frustrating or anything near it.

all the best

I also think your problem is the blade. When learning hand planes the first step IMO is to learn to sharpen the blades. I struggled for a long time on this but once I got the hang of it it made a world of difference.

Buying a new blade wont really solve it. I have a couple premium blades and many old ones and its not possible for me to get the premium blades any sharper then the old ones. The new blades have more mass and may stay sharp longer but they wont be any more sharp then what you can get your current blade.

Another possibility could be the grain direction. I would assume you are planing with the grain? If you plane against the grain you wont get a good cut.

Good luck!

-- Dan - "Collector of Hand Planes"

Your depth of cut is too deep. the iron should only be out a tiny bit from the mouth. Maybe the thickness of a piece of paper to start with for a general ballpark.

By eye:

Have the iron retracted into the body. Sight down the sole like looking at a gun sight. Advance the screw little by little until you see it emerge from the mouth of the plane. Also look to see where it peeks out of the mouth. If only on one side, use the adjusting lever to move it over the other way.

There are some further adjustments but we need to know what kind of plane to tell where to go next.

-- Woodworking shouldn't cost a fortune: http://lowbudgetwoodworker.blogspot.com/

I like the method Chelios suggested. Retract the blade all the way so that you can run the plane over the board without the blade touching at all, then advance by 1/8th turns of the know until you are taking fine shavings.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Just remember to be patient no matter whos direction you take. To Plane wood correctly is a like a zen experience. Very relaxing and rewarding in the end. Good luck.

-- http://www.furstwoodworks.com/