I hand plane slabs to get the first side flat. A scrub plane does quick work, as does a jointer plane.

Flattening a walnut slab

The work goes quickly using winding sticks to guide the planing effort.

Using a jack plane to flatten one side of a slab

By planing the high spots across the grain and frequently sighting over the winding sticks, the work progresses.

Three winding sticks provide a good reference to gauge progress

Planing across the grain makes fast work to achieve a flat surface

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Here’s the slab with the remaining high spots highlighted with white chalk. There’s also one deep cup just below the center – that area that looks a little yellow.

Applying a little white chalk to the leading edges of the winding sticks makes it easier to judge progress in flattening this side

Almost done! This was about three hours of work. No noise, no dust, no safety issues – and I can listen to the stereo. With one side dead flat, I can run the slab through my planer to get the second side flat and parallel with the first side.

This side is now flat except for a small cup which will come out with machine planing.

Thanks for visiting the Hayama Cabinetmakers blog.

Cheers