How flat is flat enough?????

[Digit]

Works a treat, provided the two boards are absolutely flat, if they are hollow in the middle the gap is exagerated when the boards are brought together.
I cheat, I use a straight edge clamped to my router table and a box lock or similar cutter, works every time!

 

[bugbear]

Paul,

It is a very good method for thin stuff, when combined with shooting. I can think of no other way of doing this.

Old time pro's have their chosen or instilled methods and do not tend to be very flexible in their approach. This may be one of the causes of controversy over methods?...................

David

Indeed. I think the fault is in logic. Because A works, it must be the right way. And if A is the right way, B, and indeed all others, must be the wrong way.

Further, if someone experienced and (above all) practised/skilled in A is cajoled to TRY way B, way B's results will likely be inferior to A. Thus the notion that A is "the way" and others are not become reinforced.

BugBear

 

[bugbear]

Paul,

It is a very good method for thin stuff, when combined with shooting. I can think of no other way of doing this.

If you're using a shooting board two approaches other than planing the two pieces at the same time spring to mind.

1) If the shooting board is set accurately enough to ensure a 90 degree edge, everything works.

2) If there is (the potential for...) angular error, plane one piece upside down w.r.t the other. e.g. one edge is 89 degrees, the other 180-89 = 91.

BugBear

 

[dunbarhamlin]

If you're using a shooting board...
1) If the shooting board is set accurately enough to ensure a 90 degree edge, everything works.

Surely, all that matters is that the shooting board is properly tuned along its length to have a consistent relationship between the two levels. (If shelf for the stuff is at a 1° to the plane run at the fence, so it must be all along its length)
Then test cuts can be taken, and the plane iron adjusted laterally as required.

2) If there is (the potential for...) angular error, plane one piece upside down w.r.t the other

Neat. I like that! Effectively match planing one board at a time.

Match planing, which I do on components down to around 50mm x 1mm (mandolin rib tail joints) using sacrificial plates/vice jaws, need not be at a consistent angle along its length, provided the center line is straight.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Paul Chapman]

Two other advantages of match planing are that it's faster (planing two boards at the same time and not having to keep checking the angle as they only have to be straight in their length and straight across their width). Second, it's more economical in that less wood tends to be wasted because you don't have to plane away lots of material getting it to 90 degrees - this can be important if you only just have enough wood for, say, a panel or planing away material would spoil a matching grain pattern.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[bugbear]

2) If there is (the potential for...) angular error, plane one piece upside down w.r.t the other

Neat. I like that! Effectively match planing one board at a time.

An elegant way of putting it

BugBear