Plane iron bevel angles.

[garywayne]

Hi all.

I have been searching the web for plane iron grinding and honing angles for the use on hardwoods, and softwoods. Can anyone oblige?

I do remember reading somewhere, can't for the life of me think where , that different angles are used on hardwoods, and softwoods.

I also tried searching the forum. I must be using the wrong words. :-k

Thanks.

ATB Gary.

 

[Alf]

25° grinding and 30° honing are a good rule of thumb, but on bevel down plane irons it depends on the individual's sharpening regime really. Chisels are where it matters depending on use. 20° for paring, 25°-30° for general stuff and chopping and 30°-35° for heavy chopping such as mortising. But that's just a guide and can depend on the wood, the chisel, your technique and so forth.

Cheers, Alf

 

[garywayne]

Cheers Alf.

I've got bevel down with a cambered edge. Will 25 grind, and 30 honed edge be alright on hardwood as well as softwood?

ATB Gary.

 

[Scott]

Should be OK for starters Gary. With bevel down you're only tuning the edge for strength/longevity rather than angle of attack (which is determined by the frog). Depending on the hardwood you might need a slight back bevel if it's tearing out.

 

[garywayne]

Hi Scott.

I am currently using the D.C. method :shock: which is 35deg, (as you all probably know).

As I am using pine at the mo. I thought that I would lessen the angle on my latest plane, still using the cambered blade.

I must have been wrong about the different angles for plane iron bevels for hard/w & soft/w.

ATB Gary.