Grain tearing when planing

[John Patmore]

I have a problem with the grain tearing on some pine boards I am planing.

I have posted pictures of the problem (same thread subject line) in

All assistance appreciated.

[clutch]

Are you working against grain? Is the wood a bit green?

Wes

[John Patmore]

From other comments received, it appears that "grain reversal" may be the problem. I'll have to try swapping the plane direction. The boards are dry AFAIK (prepacked from local BORG).

[BUB 209]

This question triggered a memory of something I haven't thought of for a long time: I took a community college woodworking course about 20 years ago and they had a very large thickness planer that had helical blades. I've never seen one before or since. I wonder if they cut with less tearing.

[Sbtypesetter]

To stop "grain tearing", order the Brian Burns Double Bevel Sharpening System booklet. He details how to sharpen a planer and jointer (along with ckisels and planes) for incredibly smooth cuts with little to no tear-out on curly maple. I have the book. very good.

-Rick Buchanan

[DJ Delorie]

Grizzly sells spiral jointers and planers, but they're made with a zillion square carbide cutters, not an actual single spiral blade, so they still don't shear cut.

[CW]

[Tom Veatch]

=>This question triggered a memory of =>something I haven't thought of for a long =>time: I took a community college =>woodworking course about 20 years ago =>and they had a very large thickness =>planer that had helical blades. I've never =>seen one before or since. I wonder if they =>cut with less tearing.

Veatch Wichita, KS