Planing VS Sanding - The Wood Whisperer

Any hand device fanatic will inform you, hand planes produce a greater floor with extra readability even after ending. However is that true? I have a tendency to make use of scrapers and planes because the final step prior to complete principally as a result of it saves on sandpaper and creates much less mud. If the floor truly appears higher after ending too, then utilizing these instruments as a last step earlier than ending is a no-brainer!

Just lately, I used to be engaged on some lovely figured walnut for my Jewellery Box and after passing the boards by way of the drum sander, the gorgeous determine was uninteresting and muddy. To treatment that, I gave every board a couple of passes with Low Angle Jack Plane. Like magic, the grain popped again to life! That prompted me to perform a little experiment to not solely reaffirm what I already believed to be true, but in addition give my readers/viewers some knowledge factors they could be capable of use in their very own outlets. Whereas I used to be at it, I additionally included a check with a card scraper.

That is yet one more argument for the idea of Hybrid Woodworking, one thing I cowl extensively in my ebook. The major concept being that I like to make use of energy instruments for the grunt work and hand instruments for the finesse work.

The Checks

One guide-matched set of boards was scraped and sanded. A second set of e-book-matched boards planed and sanded. Every board was then completed with Osmo PolyX (oil-based mostly varnish) on one aspect. The different aspect was handled with Osmo after which coated with spray lacquer to construct a movie.

The board on the left was sanded to 220 grit. The board on the best was planed. My interpretation is that the planed board does present extra readability and distinction. The darks are darker, the lights are lighter, and the figured strip sample is extra hanging.

The lacquered model of those self same boards exhibits the identical factor because the oil end alone, solely with larger depth and distinction.

The board on the left was sanded to 220 grit. The board on the appropriate was scraped. My interpretation within the video was that the distinction was minimal. The splotch on the underside left of the scraped board was undoubtedly darker, however I principally attributed that to a composition distinction within the wood itself. Upon additional evaluate of the photographs and video, I’d like to vary my interpretation. I truly DO see a big distinction between these boards now. The scraped board has barely extra distinction, however extra importantly it appears to have a very good deal extra readability and iridescence.

The lacquered model of those two boards additional drives residence my new interpretation. Once more, the scraped board reveals extra iridescence and distinction between the sunshine and darkish stripes and patterns.

After the video was completed, I made a decision so as to add yet one more knowledge level by taking the sanded board from the primary set above and planing it. This is able to definitively rule out the likelihood that the composition of the wood contributed to the variations in distinction and readability.

So as soon as once more, right here’s a take a look at a sanded board on the left and a planed board on the proper. Variations ought to be apparent at this level.

The board on the left was beforehand sanded. I eliminated all end and all traces of sanding by hand planing the floor down to reveal wood and re-utilized end. As you"ll be able to see, the distinction and readability is now roughly the identical as the unique planed board.

Ultimate Conclusion

Exams like this are under no circumstances completely conclusive and solely function small set of knowledge factors in a sea of potential variables. However hey, I do what I can. Based mostly on what I see right here, I might say it’s undoubtedly value it to get into planing and scraping. Not solely do they make the floor finally look higher, they will save money and time they usually lower the quantity of mud you set into your store surroundings. That’s a win-win-win!