The most common mistake woodworkers make while planing is that they use their arms to do most of the work.
As a result they tend to throw the tool instead of pushing it.
Continued use of this technique can cause a lot of pain in a woodworker's arms and should be avoided.
By locking the arm to the side and walking beside the work in a movement resembling a controlled fall, woodworkers let the weight of the body and gravity do most of the work.
This also provides better control and consistent pressure.
The centre of the blade should be kept exactly centred on the surface of the edge being planned, unless the woodworker is adjusting it for being out of square.
As the object is being planned, the shavings that roll out of the mouth should be watched to monitor progress as well as technique.
When planing, woodworkers should lean into the work with knees bent, not crouching, the back straight and arm locked into the side of the body.
At the beginning of the stroke the woodworker should lean firm pressure onto the knob at the front of the plane.
The hand holding the tote should support the back of the plane to keep it level.
When the full length of the plane is on the workpiece, the woodworker will have shifted weight, the downward pressure of arms, to the centre of the plane.
As the plane leaves the workpiece the weight should be smoothly shifted to behind the blade so that the plane stays horizontal.
Letting the plane tilt down will steadily take a little too much off at the end.
Woodworkers should ensure that each pass with a plane should be deliberate and focused like a perfectly executed golf stroke.
The plane should not be dragged back along the wood.
This will result in unnecessary wear on the edge and from an angle that increases the damage.
Lifting the plane on the return will pay off in longer lasting edges.