: Hi Terry,

I think I know what you are going through...1st time I was going to build a jig for a router, or buy a power plane, etc. etc. Ended up using a hand plane.

If you are worried about ruining expensive marine ply, practice with some cheap scraps instead. Stacking the ply pieces 2" back from each other will automatically give you the 8:1 ramp you need for 1/4" ply. Draw a line 2" back from the edge of the top piece as a guide. As you cut with the hand plane, the "ribbons" of each ply will become revealed, and will show you if the planing is consistent (as the picture in the shop tips section of the CLC website. The epoxy mixed with cab-0-sil will fill any imperfections.

So stop goofing around here and just do it! (I should talk, as I should be finishing my taxes)!

Good Luck,

John