Official Luthiers Forum!

The title says it all. Before I take a blade to wood I like to know what angle will minimize tear out on ribs and back. I've never worked an exotic wood before so I appreciate your insight into this regard.

Thanks,

-jj

For hand planes, plane across grain with a standard angle (45 degree) plane set up as a shallow crescent scrub plane to remove the bulk. To finish up in line you'll need at least 60 degree pitch angle set up as a fine smoother.

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Trevor Gore, Luthier. Australian hand made acoustic guitars, classical guitars; custom guitar design and build; guitar design instruction.

http://www.goreguitars.com.au

Trevor, from the bottom of my sole a hearty thanks.

I glean from "finish up in line" you imply "desired thickness" by smoothing with the grain, correct?

-jj

Correct.

_________________
Trevor Gore, Luthier. Australian hand made acoustic guitars, classical guitars; custom guitar design and build; guitar design instruction.

http://www.goreguitars.com.au

The other way to finish off is to set the chipbreaker mighty close to the edge of the blade, within 0.5 mm and less of a seriously sharp blade. Set fine and a standard angle might be OK.

Since you're just starting, I'll recommend you go to Mr. Gore's website and buy his books.
They are not cheap, but they are the best reference available for the design and construction of steel string guitars.

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A man hears what he wants to hear, and disreguards the rest. Paul Simon

Thanks, I'll check it out.