On Tue, 08 Nov 2005 13:57:17 -0600, Chris Friesen
wrote:


I recently glued up a panel from pine boards. I decided to try
smoothing the end grain with my new Veritas low angle jack plane. Did
an okay job, but not as well as I hoped (probably my technique).

Anyways, when I was done I noticed a series of distinct scratches down
the sole of the plane that hadn't been there before, as well as a number
of nicks in my (newly honed) blade. A certain amount of foul language
ensued...

Any ideas what might have caused this or how to avoid it in the future?

My current theory is an errant grain of something abrasive (sand?)
embedded in the wood.

Chris


sand is likely.

but it's not uncommon for a new blade to take a few sharpenings before
little nicks stop spontaneously appearing. weird, and I don't quite
know why, but I have seen it a number of times. 3rd or 4th sharpening
and it never happens again.

my best theory has to do with heat generated by the factory grinding
machines.