Tips on Shooting Curly/Highly Flamed Wood?

ukegirl13 · Apr 23, 2011

Hello my fellow luthiers!
I am having a heck of a time shooting some highly curly and flamed wood. I have not had problems in the past with plain or wood with very little figure. I decided it was time to treat myself to some really nice wood. I have some 4A Myrtle, 3A Claro Walnut, and 4A Koa. All three are being very stubborn! I can't seem to get it candled. I have a nice Veritas plane and a good straight shooting board. I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for me? Before you know it I will have planed to the other side of the board!

Pete Howlett · Apr 23, 2011

Irving Sloan demonstrates using a 'sanding stick' in his book on guitar making. I know other luthiers who post here do the same and they may be able to help you. I've never done it and have jointed my fair share of curly woods and with care and a super-sharp plane have managed it...

Liam Ryan · Apr 23, 2011

Same method as with a plane but using 180 grit stuck on straight edge.

Timbuck · Apr 23, 2011

stick the 180 to the plane but pull the blade back first

Ken W · Apr 23, 2011

A two foot level also makes a good sanding stick or a plate glass "Easy Jointer" like Kathy Matsushita demonstrates in this video.

http://home.comcast.net/~kathymatsushita/movies/easyjointer.mov

new wave ukulele · Apr 23, 2011

skew the wood in relationship to the knife in the plane, so as not to be cutting at 90 degrees in relationship to the edge of the work. an example: at one the (starting) end the piece is 1/4" off the bed and at the other (finishing) end it's 3/8 or 1/2" off the bed.

knife sharpness, speed, and the depth of the cut are also factors in attaining a workable glue surface.

ukegirl13 · Apr 23, 2011

Wow! Thanks to you all. I will try those techniques. I knew you could help me!

ukegirl13 · Apr 23, 2011

Timbuck said:
stick the 180 to the plane but pull the blade back first

Thank you Timbuck! Tried your method and Bamm!, it worked right off. Yeah, I can get back to building! And thank you to all for your suggestions. You guys are greaaaat!

ukegirl13 · Apr 23, 2011

new wave ukulele said:
skew the wood in relationship to the knife in the plane, so as not to be cutting at 90 degrees in relationship to the edge of the work. an example: at one the (starting) end the piece is 1/4" off the bed and at the other (finishing) end it's 3/8 or 1/2" off the bed.

knife sharpness, speed, and the depth of the cut are also factors in attaining a workable glue surface.

Thank you New Wave. I skewed the wood and then used Timbuck's technique with the 180 grit. It worked in no time flat. Very appreciative of your help.

Tips on Shooting Curly/Highly Flamed Wood?

ukegirl13

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Pete Howlett

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Liam Ryan

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Timbuck

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Ken W

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new wave ukulele

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ukegirl13

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ukegirl13

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ukegirl13

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