crossplaning

Crossplaning is a woodworking technique used to plane a board across its grain. Typically, wood is planed along the length of the grain to achieve a smooth surface. However, crossplaning involves planing perpendicular to the direction of the wood fibers. This method is often employed to remove material from end grain, flatten sections that have been cupped or warped, or to achieve a specific aesthetic finish.

The process requires a sharp plane and careful technique. Because the wood grain is running in opposition to the direction of the cut, there is a higher risk of tear-out, where chunks of wood are lifted and broken rather than cleanly sliced. To mitigate this, woodworkers often use a very fine shaving setting on their plane and may employ a "push stick" or a planing aid to maintain control and apply even pressure. Some planes are specifically designed or adjusted for crossplaning, often featuring a lower blade angle or a secondary "chipbreaker" to help support the wood fibers during the cut.

Crossplaning is not as common as traditional planing and is usually reserved for specific situations where other methods are less effective or would be too time-consuming. It demands a higher level of skill and attention to detail to achieve a smooth, tear-out-free surface. The result, when done correctly, can be a smooth, consistent surface on even difficult-to-plane wood.