At 01:46 PM 6/26/01 +0000, Jaime Metcher wrote:
>snippage here

>If the grain is at all cranky, the standard radius (2.5") gives you a 
>choice between backing out the blade and taking a million tiny passes, or 
>getting tearout that looks like the aftermath of an artillery 
>bombardment.  I keep meaning to regrind mine - in the meantime I use it 
>only on well-behaved wood.
>
>Jaime Metcher

Hi Y'all,
As I've mentioned before, I often use a #3 with a Scary Sharp (tm) blade 
with a crown (gently curved) for hogging off  or preliminary smoothing of 
burled walnut.  It works well with the plane in a 45 degree, gross grain 
attitude.  With attention to grain and a sharp enough blade, I can avoid 
tearout, a real problem with burled walnut.

I think the reason you don't see any modern furniture with figured walnut 
is there isn't anyway to work it except with hand tools.  It's a real shame 
most people have no idea how extraordinarily beautiful wood furniture can be.

Regards,
Larry

Larry Poffenberger
lkp@r... OR
rustytool@r...
For sale and information at:
www.rosewoodandbrass.com