(Fred) wrote in
om:

Hello, I'm working with a solid wood countertop for a vanity -it's
1-1/8 x 18" x 28". I've glues up 3 boards to make this, and now want
to plane it flat.

I only have one hand plane, and it's a cheap one from harbor freight.

Seeing as how I spend $45 on this lumber, I'd really like to avoid
mistakes.

Would you kind folks please offer me some suggestions on which type of
plane I need to flatten this?

Lowes is the only box store I've found that offers hand planes, but
'#4' doesn't mean anything to me....

Thanks in advance for your advice!
Fred


Fred, you may not like the answers I'm going to offer, but here goes:

There is very little available RETAIL in a hand plane, which is going to
solve your problem for less than $100, and be something you'd want to use
again. Mail order, eBay, used, flea market, etc., maybe, but walk-in
retail, you're pretty much out of luck

Hand planes at the big box stores are generally semi-useable for
construction types of projects, but difficult to impossible to tune up for
smoothing a table top made of hardwood. Particularly if you are #1: in
somewhat of a hurry and/or #2: without someone to show/teach some simple
methods of tune up and use.

If you are in a hurry, the safest way to level your counter top is by
sanding. Either using a large sanding block (2x4 with paper wrapped around
it would be one way), or with a powered sander, you could level and finish
smooth your project in less time than it would take to find and figure out
the hand plane part.

Or you could make a few calls, and see if there is a cabinet or millwork
shop that could run it through their wide belt sander, for a modest fee.
Probably the easiest, if that option is available.

And when you get an hour, do a Google search on buying your first hand
planes. Much has been written, most of it useful, on the subject. Jeff
Gorman's site (whose url escapes me right now) is really useful. So is
Patrick Leach's site, www.supertool.com, which also deals with some
fascinating history. Believe what a fellow using the handle Conan the
Librarian has written. Or charlieb. Or Paddy, or....

But good luck. I hope this comes out looking good!

Patriarch,
proud owner of maybe 2 dozen handplanes, and nowhere near the most addicted
handplane owner in my town....