Planning and Squaring to Dimensions
Planing and squaring a small piece of board to dimensions is what you might call the first lesson in woodworking. Like many other things you may have tried to do, it looks easy until you try it. The six major steps in this process are illustrated and described in Figures 12 through 17. You should practice these steps until you can get a smooth, square board with a minimum of planing.
Work the First Face – Plane one broad surface smooth and straight. Test it crosswise, lengthwise, and from corner to corner. Mark the work face x.
Work the First Edge – Plane one edge smooth, straight and square to
the work face. Test it from the work face. Mark the work edge x.
Work the First End – Plane one end smooth and square. Test it from the work face and work edge. Mark the work face x.
Work the Second End – Measure length and scribe around the stock. Align square to the work edge and work face. Saw off excess stock near the line and plane smooth to the scribed line. Test the second edge from both the work face and the work edge.
Work the Second Edge – From the work edge, gauge a line for width on both faces. Plane smooth, straight, square, and to the gauge line. Test the second edge from the work face.
Work the Second Face – From the work face, gauge a line for thickness around the stock. Plane the stock to the gauge line. Test the second face as the work face is tested.
