Old timer told me trust my ears not my eyes when planing oak

Guy named Frank who's been doing trim work since the 70s said I'd learn more from the sound of the blade than staring at the grain, and after messing up a $40 board last week trying to chase a ripple I finally tried it this morning and it actually worked has anyone else gotten advice that felt backwards but turned out solid?

2 comments

2 Comments

andrew_sanchez942d ago

Oh man that's a good one. I actually read something from a guy who restores old furniture, he said the same thing about trusting the sound. He explained it like the blade has its own feedback, a clean cut sounds crisp and even, but if you're fighting the grain it'll get this kind of choked, rough noise. I tried it on some cherry last month and honestly it saved me from chasing a bad spot that looked fine to the eye. So yeah, I feel like there's some real truth to that old timer's advice.

craig.nathan1d ago

Wait the guy said a choked rough noise? That's wild. I've been cutting wood for about 12 years now and I never once thought to listen that close. I just figured if it felt wrong in my hands something was off, but the noise thing is new to me. I'm gonna try it tomorrow on a piece of walnut I've been fighting with, see if I can hear that choked sound you're talking about.