Bench heights and planing technique | Paul Sellers
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- Опубликовано: 10 янв 2014
- Do you need a low bench height to bear down on your work when planing? Or should a sharp plane pull itself to task? See what Paul Sellers thinks.
We posted this ( • Video ) video the day before this one but we had a comment saying that the same would not be possible with the board level. Hopefully this will show that that is not the case.
To find out more about Paul Sellers and the projects he is involved with go to paulsellers.com 
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When Paul Sellers teaches you something you know you're hearing the calm voice of authority that represents 20,000 years of knowledge handed down from craftsman to student. It's a privilege to be addressed as though you are a small link in that chain.
Dr Ralph Kennedy I was going to say something just like this but I think you said it perfectly already!
I think 20.000 is a stretch but i get what you are saying.
If I'm Link, does that make Paul the Deku Tree?
I have watched so many of the Paul Sellers videos and I continue to be impressed. What a wealth of knowledge within such a humble embodiment of a man. A great representation of the value of sharing knowledge as compared to hoarding it. Thank you so much Paul for passing on generations of skills and making them available to the public, ensuring that they won’t be lost.
It nice to have shop, bench, and all that. I started in high school, and always had crap for tools. I kept thinking I need large power tools, and shop. While at collage I meet this girl who had saw, a couple of chisel, and a block plane. She could make every thing. While her parents worked, she stayed with her grandfather who taught her how to use what she had. Her grandfather had learned to use limited tool while he was in an Japanese internment camp during world war two. She sat on the floor, and held thing with her feet. When she move out of the dorms, and into an apartment she made her own furniture from scrape wood. I can afford a few better tools, but I would rather improve my skills.
+Kiki Lang Thanks for the Videos. They are very helpful.
Kiki Lang I'd have proposed on the spot, TBH.
Mr. Sellers, I am wishing you a long, healthy, happy and prosperous life so that you can continue to share all your knowledge with us. I am most grateful for all your videos, including this one.
Looking forward to more from you.
Hello from Arkansas, I have just recently discovered your channel. What a find. I have been a wood worker for 40 years. You are a great teacher.
The hardest part for us beginners (or at least for me anyway) is figuring out the difference between when I'm doing something wrong, or there's something wrong with the plane, especially since my planes are old hand-me-downs that weren't very well cared for.
I see now that I definitely need to do some more work on the plane itself, because my planing is nowhere near that smooth or easy, even when it's taking thin shavings...
"I'm not trying to prove anything, but watch how I'm right, because 50 years..." 😂
Thank you so much for all of your insight; it is extremely valuable!!!
Mr. Sellers, you have such a gentle nurturing quality about you that anyone who apprentices with you could not help but take in all the knowledge that you offer.
You sir are a master in your own right.
This is what youtube should be about; pure honest passion that can go directly to an audience that are not only interested in what you have to say but are engrossed in your many, many years of mastery in an art in its purest ,most practical sense. Thank you Paul.
Paul has the gift of clearly explaining and demonstrating practical woodworking tasks. He is also very open and unbiased in his description. Great to see.
Gotcha! I need to write you. I can't say how many hours I've spent watching your videos. Many. I am 54 years old and only now I recognised that though I liked woodworking in my childhood despite utter failure I've never lost the desire. During the recent days and weeks I started to collect all the tools, not just mine but also from my parents and father's in law vaults. Chisels, rasps, saws, planes... The more I watched the videos the more I started to look at those tools and realised that the main reason I ever failed in anything in this matter was sharpness. Lack of sharpness. I took a file and sharpened my saws. Wow, what i difference! Few days ago I ordered diamond plates as a very first purchase. I sweared that I will not do anything before my tools will not be (insanely) sharp. Watching all your masterclass videos made me to conclusion that this is the main thing. Roots, back to the roots, this is sooo much basic. And today with this video I am dead sure that this is right. There is no doubt I will do many woodworking projects (I am moving with my wife to a new country house) and I will succeed. Step by step. I just want to tell you that you nailed it down with this video. Stay sharp. Thank you. Pavol
I like your demonstration here Paul and I am going to raise my bench height because of back discomfort. What for me is not good about a higher bench height is chopping out large mortises clamped to the top of my bench. I cannot get over the top of the chisel. But the answer is simple, stand on a three inch platform. Raise me not lower the bench and keep the cold from my feet.
An amazing and convincing demonstration. Counters so many “rules” other gurus push. That last statement by Paul, is a real pearl. You feel a lot more when you’re gentle with the plane. Just great advice!!
Outstanding! A sharp tool is such a pleasure to use.
Paul thank you for producing videos with such clarity and ease of learning. This one shows without doubt that the sage advice "let the tool do the work" is true - thanks again.
the angle of the blade entering the wood automatically pulls the plane body down to the work as it tries to bury itself in the surface. all wood working should be done in a relaxed manner and it will show itself in the finish. great video as usual.
The iron tries to dig into the material, the sole serves as a stop. The stop just happens to slide along the workpeice and violá, Plane Action. I never thought of it this way, but I don't think I'll ever get it out of my head ;P
Well now this is just delightful to watch.
No one could honestly dispute this demonstration. No one is as good with a plane or a chisel as Paul Sellers! Every time i watch one of your videos I learn things that make me a little better woodworking hobbyist, novice that i am i learn a great deal watching and listening to you here.
That was the most simple, accurate and beautiful explanation of how to use a hand plane. Thanks a lot for sharing with us your experience.
This is just the best demonstration ever of how to properly use a plane, and how to set your bench height for perfect planing.
These videos absolutely convince me that my planes are NOWHERE near as sharp as Paul's worst plane...
Freaking truth. Until I learn to sharpen, I'll never be able to have this kind of success.
Tony Ennis but how do you learn!? Ive been trying without success
I know I'm late here but stropping is key. Like the amount it improves both the sharpness and longevity of the cutting edge is amazing.
@@moneymills7644 Stopping in a piece of leather with compound on till the edge is like a mirror is the key.
There's a video of Paul's where he talks about how sharp is sharp enough. He gets some good shavings with an iron sharpened on 250 grit paper. The point he makes is that there is a point where it makes little difference. Not that we should use full planes. But I think there's something about his experience and set-up that just surpasses most of us.
I was one of the doubters of working on a high bench. I have been proven wrong. Thanks Paul. A member of your master class, Gary.
Mr. Sellers, again you prove that YOU ARE THE MAN. I have never seen such an example of the use of a plane but I was taught by my German mentors that that is EXACTLY how to use just about any tool like a hand saw and a plane when cutting anything. you let the tool do the work. BRAVO PAUL
What an excellent demonstration! Tons of lesson to be learned from these ten minutes. Thanks, Paul!
Paul, excellent demonstration. Back when I made my version of your bench I bulldogged the plane and it gave me fits trying to flatten the top. It took quite a few passes with the plane and a floor full of shavings but I finally got the message.
After years of following your guidance all I can say is that your techniques work. Putting more of the pieces in the puzzle all the time. Thanks again for your devotion to keeping the knowledge and skills alive.
Mr Sellers, that is such a tribute to your sharpening method, fantastic! I'm just starting to do bench woodworking and am trying to adopt your sharpening techniques, I don't think my planes will do that just yet, I will be practicing some more and will try doing this. When my plane does this I will know I've got it right. Thank you for videos they are a big help for learners.
Excellent video Mr Sellers. I love your no nonsense, simple yet masterful approach to woodworking. Thank you!
Does Paul have the best voice on RUclips?
What you are putting across to us Paul is absolutely correct. Correct sharpening and set up are the two main variables as far as the plane is concerned. I am 5' 8" and my bench is 34". I have found this to be the most comfortable all around height for me. Your "experiment" was pretty cool to boot.
Derek
You couldn’t be more right. My first mistake with my plane, straight out of the box, was forcing it down, and I was having the worst experience and hardly ever used it. Then I stumbled upon your videos and learned how to use my plane right, and now I get a little excited every time I get to use it in a project.
Paul, you never fail to impress me. I learn something every time I come across your tutorials. Brilliant.
My grandfather always told me to let the tool do the work.
And keep it sharp.
I work with tools
I am a tool
i am work
i am batman
The "boy" is the master now, Mr. Sellers. Needless to say I'm learning a ton from your videos. Thank you.
Paul, I must say that this video is the most amazing, informative and illuminating demonstration of how a plane can be setup and used! I just got my first hand plane (made a YT video if you could look and tell me what I’m doing wrong) and “WISH” I could get it to work just half as well as you demonstrated! Absolutely wonderful video! Thank you very much! You’ve set the bar for me!
Watching Paul Sellers talk and work is always an inspiration! A true master of his craft.
Jim Tolpin has a very interesting approach to this matter. He has a video on which he explains how over the years he has personalized the height and width of his workbenches to his body, taking his hand span as a physical length reference. 4 hand spans of height for workbenches on which you will be planning, 5 HS for the benches on which you will be cutting, 3 HS (the length of one's arm) for the width. Length may vary depending on the work.
Based on average human proportions, my guess is your hand span is around 23 centimeters.
Congratulations on the video and thanks for sharing your wisdom.
All the best
Amazing! It's like the wood becomes a fluid when handled with such talent! Thanks for your videos you're an excellent Master!
Splendid demonstration!
For most of my life, people have told me my benches are too high, and that includes a famous woodworking-magazine editor or two. I always assumed that was because I learned to use my dad's tools when I was so young & short, therefore became accustomed to a high bench.
Now, I feel vindicated for the taller benches I've built for myself and others!
THANK YOU PAUL!
This is such a great explanation and demonstration, as all of the other videos are as well. Thanks for all of your great videos Paul.
I am totally impressed and convinced. I see now that a bench height isnt critical for a height that is conducive to leaning over, on top of a hand plane. I bench height that is higher would now make much better sense.... Where on would be more closer to the work...visually. And lessen the stress on ,my back.
Must say your skills are as incredible as a craftsman as they are as a teacher.
Dear Mr. Sellers
thank you for everything I learned watching your videos. I have improved my english and I have also learned plenty of woodworking skils.
Best regards
Predrag Jovanovic
Every time you pulled the plane off the edge of the board I almost had to look away. My brain was certain it would fall to the ground lol. You’re the champ Paul! Thank you so much for passing down all this knowledge. And for free! God bless you sir.
I sure wish you still lived here in Texas.
You’re missing out on all the free live oak wood lol
another wonderful video Paul, I have 2 workbenches, one is set at 32 inches and one is set at 38 inches, i'm 6 foot. I do not use a power planer, or a planning machine, I prep and thickness all my timber from rough sawn by hand. its the bearing down that's required, its the ability to spread your legs apart and give you a much longer stride, and more power behind the plane to take heavy shavings through hardwoods. if I used pre planed timber then I would work from my taller bench all the time. using a tall bench for everything in my opinion is why so many new woodworkers think that prepping timber from rough sawn by hand is a ball ache. keep the video's coming mate!! :)
I inherited my father's homemade workbench. It felt much to low for me - I had to lean over too much. So I jacked it up on blocks to 36" which felt much better (I am 6', about Paul's height) but I didn't do much planing. I replaced that bench when it became badly worm-eaten. I built my new bench slightly lower at 35", mainly as a small step towards what I thought was a more normal height. Also, I was starting to plane a little more, so thought that would help put my weight over the plane. Now I learn that Paul uses a 38" bench height"! Had I known, I would have likely have moved up to 37" or even 38". That said, both 36" and 35" have worked well for me but I wouldn't want to go much lower than that, perhaps 34" minimum. As Paul is a full-time woodworker, comfort is important as a way to avoid injury -- so good to hear his insights.
I have purchased your books and DVD’s but I sure appreciate your RUclips videos!!!
Best,
Bob
I learned to sharpen from his videos and this will happen to you to when you get a truly sharp plane. Best investment I ever made was getting set up like Mr. Sellers does when sharpening. It's like having all new tools.
I am also 5'11" tall, and have raised the height of my workbench to 38 inches and find it perfect for most all hand tool woodworking. Grandpa was a cabinet maker and we still have his classic bench in our house and it is only 31 inches tall, - your back lets you know that you have been bending over after a days work on it. Also, in blacksmithing it has always been the standard to make the anvil top level with your fist, but most of us now think that it is way too low at that height.
Good video, thanks Paul
An excellent demonstration Paul..very good!
I have been a carpenter and joiner almost as long as Paul, and I must agree with Paul in that if your plane is sharpe you don't need to press down. The weight of the plane it's self should be all it needs.
Hi Paul, I'm from Brazil and I love watch your videos. You are the best!
Thank you Paul...as usual relaxed, quiet, great to watch, logical and educational.
kind regards
I cant tell you enough how much I appreciate your instructional videos. Thank you Paul
WOW that was your best tip.. I have been pushing down all my ears. I going out to the shop right now and plane, plane, plane. thanks
The maths would bear you out Paul. If you bear down on your plane then any variation in that downward force will cause a corresponding variation in the thickness of shavings and therefor an uneven surface. Yet again you've managed to put it into nice simple terms that everyone can understand. In the early '70s I was taught exactly this at school.
From my school days I remember doing the side elevation of a jack plane and showing how the handle is set so that the thrust from the arm is directed exactly at the cutting edge. I was also taught not to put the plane down on it's sole but either on it's side or better to have a small strip of wood to rest either the toe or the heel on and keep the blade edge off the bench top. A great set of videos
Peter Little it’s perfectly fine to put the plane sole down on a bench. Laying it on its side was taught to youngsters to keep them from putting the plane down on a metal object like a chisel. If anything putting a plane on its side presents a hazard because now there is an exposed blade.
Funny thing is the timing of me watching this. I’ve been wrestling with a decision between a Veritas #4-1/2 and a Lie Neilson #4. One of the significant differences is the more vertical orientation of the handles on Veritas planes. Paul has convinced me that the Veritas grip angle should work just fine.
(Please don’t start flame wars between these plane manufacturers. Both are excellent tools, so feel free to choose whichever one makes you happy.)
I appreciate all that you share.
Just built my first bench and made it 36” high. I’m 5’9” tall and it turned out to be perfect for me especially planing. I don’t feel like I’m bending over so much and can put my weight behind my place as I push
Hi Paul. I really enjoy your video's, very instructive. This video sort of confirmed the height I chose for my workbench. I decided for 95cm (38" = 96.5cm), I am 5'10" and I have a bad back, so I need to set the working height a little higher than what seems to be a standard height here in The Netherlands, around 85cm.Thank you and please continue making video's.
Super illustration. I find higher benches relieve a lot of back strain.
Thankyou Paul. Sharing knowledge like this is so helpful
Those demonstrations prove the case, Paul. I learned something this evening for my next plain effort!
The very first time I got a shaving, was when I had a sudden revelation: the plane has to glide over the wood, because you are planing and not plowing a harsh field.
Seriously, I used my plane as a pickax and with a panic attitude…
I still need to improve a lot, and my shavings and results are far from this perfection.
Thanks to videos like this I am eventually understanding what I have to improve and how.
Such finesse and patience, true mastery focusses on the fundamentals.
I think you have MORE than proven your point here, Paul. There can be no doubt.
Simple though brilliant demonstration....
Thanks Paul
Sergio
You have demonstrated your point of no downward pressure, very well, Paul. Thanks
"Never is the man with experience at the mercy of the man with a theory.'
+Beta Vulgaris (A View From Europe) What predicted gravitational waves?
+allyourcode This is entirely irrelevant. He didn't say theories were worthless, only that it doesn't matter what the theory says when practice says something different. Gravitational waves are not something susceptible to direct experience by human beings.
Or a picture is worth a thousand words, proof is in the pudding, etc...
allyourcode Be tired of whatever you like.
The man who knows the science behind sharpening a knife, but who has never been near a knife, knows fuck all compared to the man who has spent a life time actually sharpening them.
Experience is greater than any theory.
If that hurts you then so be it.
That's a nice thing to say but not always true. Fact that someone been doing something for a long time does not always mean that he knows what he is doing nor that his way is best.
What usually happens is the person who has been doing things well also understands the theory and thus his experience means something.
Fascinating. Many thanks for going to the trouble of making and posting these videos.
Thanks Paul, I have built a bench a few years back and it came out at 391/4" I'm 6' 2" and it works well for me. Now I'm starting to build a new one at the same height..
Thank you Mr.Sellers. It's amazing video.
Thanks for sharing this master. Greetings from Peru.
Another great video! Thanks Paul!
I built two benches for myself that are 36" tall and 8 feet long (I am 5'10") and have found that a taller bench is much better for me than a lower bench which I also have. I have found that planing on a shorter bench yields inferior results and causes me to have to work more. I find that bearing down on the wood deforms the sole of the plane and the wood that you're planing. A sharp plane iron is the only thing a woodworker needs, that and a flat/true sole. I defy modern convention/wisdom that low benches are best, I enjoy having a comfortable working height that brings the work closer to my eye and allows me to stand rather than be bent over daily, all day.
Respect 50 years of experience
Most amazing thing i've ever seen. I think I'll adopt this method for all my planing now.
Brilliant idea to demonstrate a point. Well done!
Jeepers Paul! watched a lot of your videos and am a fan and have subscribed a while ago but this video just makes you the woodwork whisperer bar none!!! Huge respect.
Great info as always. Thank you Paul
Bearing down on the plane is just a way to fatigue someone who is actually using planes. Old bench heights probably had more to do with heights of the average worker. Even on a lower bench, nobody should lean on their planes, or they're just creating more work for themselves.
I don't think the people who say you have to lean on the plane and bear down have done much planing from rough, they'd quickly decide otherwise. Maybe they've done enough planing from rough to write a blog entry or show a couple of new users a short sample of work, but if they were to dimension wood for a few hours, they'd have a different answer - especially with metal planes.
Awesome technique video. I think I like the basics / fundamentals / foundational / tips of how to use your hand tools videos from experienced woodworkers a lot more than the how-to-build a specific project type videos!
That was an awesome demonstration!
Absolute genius... fortunate to have been taught by his video content
Another excellent video Paul, thankyou
Good advice as always. THanks Paul
Wonderful information. Thank you for sharing, stay warm, safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia
Well this video clears that bench hight debate up, for me at least. Branch Hight is nothing more than a personal choice. Thank you Mr. Sellers
Sharpening and sharp tools set correctly is obviously key. Nice demonstration.
paul, man i love your style as much as your craft :)
Fantastic...the tool will do the work if used correctly as you have shown, great video as always
Could this man possibly get more any amazing. And the way he explains, it makes things feel like they're just so obvious, like saying, 'When you Drop things, they fall Down.'
I always thought that a lower bench height was supposed to let you get your hips into the work. I can't afford a bench just for planing so to me it is more important to have a taller bench for finer work. None the less I enjoyed this video immensely.
To me the most unique thing about Paul's bench is the fact that the vise is in the middle. I don't believe I have seen that anywhere else.
Paul's vises are not in the middle, they are just inside the leg of the bench. He has a whole series on making the bench.
Sweet Jizus! Mister Paul Sellers learning (or discovering) japanese handplaning! :D
great video, Paul. I'm 5'10" and I've always preferred a bench at counter height (36") and my router table is quite a bit higher at 44". That height keeps my back straight and is comfortable to work at for hours at a time.
Que maestro!! Muchas gracias Paul. Me encanto este video, aprendi mucho. Saludos de Argentina.
Thank you very much for invaluable information.
Very interesting You've proven your theory which contradicts the theories of most of the experts today. I agree, makes the job a lot easier. I'm 5'10". I use two benches, one 35 1/2" and one 38" depending on the task I'm performing. I like to stand upright my elbows bent at approximately 90 degrees.
That was very nice! Good show!
Quite an interesting subject, ive not done any woodworking but im considering some projects, Im considering your work bench as my first project as a precursor to my main project. In any case to my real point for commenting im sure you will have heard this but your video brought up a memory from my childhood.
My great uncle who sadly now has passed away, used to always say to me "Let the tool do the work" i was using a saw to chop fire wood and naturally being 12 or 13 i was going at it all guns and gusto. But the point is quite applicable it would seem to me.
Anyways, ive watched most of your videos now and im certainly getting the urge to do something practical pretty soon. I hope that you will be sharing more videos soon.
Sorry, I’ve been watching your videos for a couple weeks and forgot to subscribe , got it now though. Really enjoy and appreciate your posts
just simply excellent...i love all your videos. Every carpenter and woodworker needs to review your teachings.
Nice video i always think that you need to force down the plane, but in reality is more about the preparation of the tool and the tecnic than the force aplied.
thanks for the well thougth explanation and the nice video as always!