Paragraph 2. A working face is to be planed perfectly smooth and straight. This process is called surfacing. To do this, fasten the board in the tail vise on your bench. See that your plane is sharp and properly adjusted. (Chapter VI.) Start your cut with the plane in the position shown in Figure 11. Notice that the left hand rests firmly upon the knob of the plane, where some pressure must be used to keep the sole of the plane level with the surface of board. With the right hand push the plane forward, causing it to take a thin, even shaving as it comes to the position shown in Figure 12. In this position the plane sole is resting flat on the surface of the board. The plane should continue in a forward motion until the shaving has been taken the full length of the board, then the plane will be in the position shown in Figure 13. In this position the downward pressure should be on the right hand so that the sole of the plane will continue to lie level with the surface of the board. If the forward end of the plane is allowed to tilt downward at the finish of the stroke, a thicker shaving will be taken off at the end, thus causing the board to be un-level. In surfacing a wide board it will be necessary for the plane to pass over several times in order to smooth the entire surface.

Figure 11.

Figure 12.

Figure 13.