Woodworking planes are a staple in any woodworker's shop.

Many woodworkers shy

away from using these versatile hand tools because their first exposure to them is
often a negative one. Too often a new woodworker will pick up a woodworking plane
at a home center or bargain outlet and take it out of the box. After admiring it for a
moment they clamp a piece of lumber to their bench, position themselves like they
have seen the masters on TV and then take their first pass. More times than not
that first pass results in a chattering, gouging, clunky trip down the board. The
result is a surface which was probably OK becoming marred and chipped beyond
repair.

What was the problem? The woodworker didn't take the time to set up, prepare,
and understand the tool. The result often is that the tool gets put on a shelf and left
to collect dust. Maybe the novice will return after learning something about their
new tool and give it another go, but all too often it is set aside and avoided as a tool
that really doesn't work.

The fact is that seldom are high volume production tools ready for use out of the
box. At the very least a good sharpening is needed for most edge tools. In the case
of woodworking planes, usually the bottom or sole needs to be flattened as well as
the blade sharpened and precisely set into the tool.