Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Re: How thick a shaving
Rafael from PA
A close set chipbreaker limits the thickness of the shavings possible. A heavy or moderately cambered iron would be used for material removal, the final stages of stock preparation with a smoother would not be done with heavy shavings. The closed set chipbreaker mitigates or avoids tearout, it also lets you remove it from the previous stock preparation stages.
Re: How thick a shaving
Steve D, CT
Derek said
Rob's main/only method for controlling tearout is to take ultra thin shavings. He does occasionally use a scraper or a backbevel for a high cutting angle, but rejects a closed up chipbreaker.
I was trying to clarify that since it suggests that heavy shavings with a close chipbreaker without tearout are an option. I agree that the chipbreaker limits depth. I can probably go up to .004-.006 shavings with a tight breaker but that is a push.
Re: How thick a shaving
Warren in Lancaster, PA
I don't see close chipbreakers and heavy shavings coexisting. Am I missing something?
Yes, you are missing something. I have done heavy planing with a double iron plane for decades. Your problem is that you are thinking one size fits all, rather than choosing an appropriate setting of the cap iron for each situation. Here is a double iron for a jack plane from the Sheffield List:
Re: How thick a shaving
Kevin Adams
Interesting picture, thanks, Warren. I remember reading “somewhere” to not bother cambering the cap iron to match the iron, but I did it anyway on my old #5 as I wanted to try it. With the mouth opened enough, you can take a larger shaving and limit tear out. My wooden jack has a single, cambered iron, so I do get more tear out there with larger shavings.
Thanks again.
Kevin
Re: How thick a shaving
Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)
For a thicker shaving, you simply move the chipbreaker further away from the edge.
Regards from Perth
Derek