planing iroko

[jonboy]

I have been trying to plane some Iroko I bought at least twenty years ago.... The grain is all over the place but I don't remenber having the problems finishing it then that I am having now...
I am using a spoke shave as I need tight internal radii, but also have tried a good hand plane and a power hand plane... Every now and then a bit rips out as, like elm, the grain suddenly changes direction. Obviously all blades are razor sharp,( bald test patches up and down my arm to prove it) The answer perhaps is power sanding but I don't have the kit for the internal curves, nor a jig or band saw... I am looking to make some grown knees and a couple of breast hooks that still will need some shaping... any tips...?

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

I suppose that "Yes, it does that" is not the answer you were looking for? ;)

What colour is it - has it gone dark brown?

All I ever came up with was to close up the blade and the backing iron and close the mouth where possible. Try a different spokeshave?

[Mrleft8]

Rasps, and files.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

One good(ish) thing with iroko is that you can reliably tell the direction of the grain by looking at it - this does double the planing time, of course, but it works for me.

[peter radclyffe]

One good(ish) thing with iroko is that you can reliably tell the direction of the grain by looking at it - this does double the planing time, of course, but it works for me.
for shaping you can use a small sanding disc, increasing in grit number, as with most woods, for shaping cut against the grain, then across the grain, finally finish with the grain, you can also crosscut with a big new rasp, glue a piece of 40 grit to a round pole or gutterpipe

[John Meachen]

This might be a really good time to find a man with a bobbin sander.If you cut to the edge of the pencil line with a bandsaw,the bobbin sander will deal with most of the rest.For bright finished parts you may need to do some hand sanding.

[PeterSibley]

This might be a really good time to find a man with a bobbin sander.If you cut to the edge of the pencil line with a bandsaw,the bobbin sander will deal with most of the rest.For bright finished parts you may need to do some hand sanding.

I can strongly recommend these .I've several hundred ...perhaps thousand (!) hours of experience with them .They're relatively inexpensive and generally useful .Excellent for curves ,inside and out ,especially with uncooperative grain .

http://www.carbatec.com.au/sanding/sanding-drums-sleeves/sanding-drums-individual-sizes

This is my local supplier but I'm sure they re available elsewhere .They're made in Canada IIRC. Best used in a drill press by OK freehand if you have good eye .
I use short sections of sanding belt as abrasive ,cheap and lasts very well .

[isla]

I agree with Peter, drum sanders are great. You can get them from Axminster in the UK. Here's the link. (http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=21816&name=Sanding+Drum&user_search=1&sfile=1&jump=44)