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I’m going plane crazy!
http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=6205		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Mon Apr 17, 2006 7:03 am ]
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Check out my first build.



It's a wooden plane made from maple and fitted with a Hock iron and chipbreaker. I've been reading David Fink's book on "Making and Mastering Wood Planes" for the past month. I decided to buy a kit from Ron Hock before tackling the whole thing from scratch. It worked out quite well from a design and ergonomic stantpoint but most surprisingly, the functional perspective. After spending a bit of time optimizing the blade opening the plane effortlessly makes curls thin, even and long. It's as good as anything I have in my current armamentarium.

I'm looking forward to making more models from scratch using some less common woods.

I'd be interested if there's anyone here with some experience in making wood planes.
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Mon Apr 17, 2006 7:05 am ]
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HOOOOOOO
Author:  jfrench [ Mon Apr 17, 2006 7:14 am ]
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JJ - Great job! I built a block plane some time back and use it a lot, but its far too beat up to warrant any pictures really. I need to find the time to build a new set of planes. Thanks for posting this.jfrench38824.6769328704
Author:  CarltonM [ Mon Apr 17, 2006 8:22 am ]
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JJ...I've got the same book, and it's on my short list of things to do. My plan is to make a jointer plane--something I couldn't afford otherwise. Good job, BTW!
Author:  FrankC [ Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:15 am ]
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Do I see a little leftover piece of a neck laminate in there?



Looks good. I bought a Steve Knight jointer plane which is very nice and got me thinking, why can't I make that? You have just made me put that on my list of things to do. Thanks JJ!!!
Author:  Serge Poirier [ Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:21 am ]
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Great job JJ, i'm envious of such talent, i don't even know how to sharpen chisels properly, of course i've got files on sharpening and you just gave me the motivation to learn more on planes also! Very cool tool!
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:53 am ]
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Good eye on the wedge, Frank. I've got so much of that stripey scrap left over from making necks...I'm always looking for new uses.

Those Knight planes are a thing of beauty. I looked at his site for some time while I was scoping out plane info. You're right...you can make any of those planes. I am amazed at how well this light smoothing plane works. I'd like to make a few different sizes... especially a low-angle jack plane for thinning high-zoot backs and sides.

Serge...get busy practicing your sharpening techniques. Post less...sharpen more. I was a complete woodworking moron 3 years ago when I decided to begin making guitars. I'm beginning to feel some confidence after that time but nowhere near the expertise that we see among our OLF brethern. I still favor the hand tools and chisels and planes are my favorites.

Author:  burbank [ Mon Apr 17, 2006 12:57 pm ]
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Cool! How's the tap tone? Binding? Finish?

Really nice plane, JJ. Ron's a great guy isn't he?
Author:  Carey [ Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:02 pm ]
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Also, Seth Janofsky's article in Woodwork #55, Feb '99 centers on the bevel-up planes for the difficult hardwoods Todd mentions. For spruce/cedar/cypress 40 degrees (or less)
a la Japanese planes can give great results, as they compress the wood less, and if set up well, leave a spectacular surface.

Author:  Carey [ Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:32 pm ]
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To address JJ's OP directly, I attended a couple of the
College of the Redwoods courses in '99, including the plane-
making class, when Mr. Krenov was still there, although
not teaching the seminars I took..

I made a number of planes using his methods: first a smoother, a jointer, a dedicated shooting plane, and a
scrub plane, of hard maple, hornbeam, and ayan (?),
with lignum vitae soles.

The jointer is still a user; the others have mainly
been replaced by Japanese planes. 'nother story..

Author:  Jimson [ Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:41 pm ]
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Thanks for the inspiration JJ!

I have been maundering for months about starting a jointer.

Now, I know other people are doing it - well, that's how I got HERE.
Author:  Jim Watts [ Tue Apr 18, 2006 4:03 pm ]
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JJ
I made a plane very similar years ago and it's probably my favorite. You'll enjoy it I'm sure!
Author:  SniderMike [ Tue Apr 18, 2006 4:17 pm ]
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Very cool. And inspiring. They have a plane making class at the commutiy college near me where I'm taking the guitar building class. Perhaps I'll sign up.

Mike
Author:  Mattia Valente [ Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:41 pm ]
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Very nice!

I'm cheating, I've got a jointer coming from Steve Knight real soon now, and that might inspire me to try building one myself. But it's more fun to buy yourself birthday presents than to make 'em...
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Wed Apr 19, 2006 12:59 am ]
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Thanks for the feedback. I'd love to see pics of the planes you guys have made..especially of any low angle models.

I haven't done any research into the Japanese models but would be interested in knowing more.

Also, if there are forums and sites on plane building that anyone has found particularly helpful, please pass on that info.

TIA
Author:  Cocephus [ Wed Apr 19, 2006 1:24 am ]
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Nice job, JJ. Ya got me thinkin` about one too.
Author:  Wayne Clark [ Wed Apr 19, 2006 1:38 am ]
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Mattia,

Would you post a review of the Steve Knight jointer when you get it? I have been considering buying one for a long time now. My biggest problem is deciding which I need more - a jointer or a smoothing plane.

Thanks,
Wayne
Author:  Mattia Valente [ Wed Apr 19, 2006 2:11 am ]
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[QUOTE=WayneC] Mattia,

Would you post a review of the Steve Knight jointer when you get it? I have been considering buying one for a long time now. My biggest problem is deciding which I need more - a jointer or a smoothing plane.

Thanks,
Wayne[/QUOTE]

Will do.

(and you clearly need both. It's just which one you need first )

Mattia
Author:  Carey [ Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:32 am ]
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Hi JJ-I don't have any digital pics of my planes- haven't bought
one of those cameras yet.

The lowest angle plane I've made or used is a 37 degree, without chipbreaker, bevel down. Very nice for light cuts
in softwoods, but not much use in anything hard or figured.
I do like the feel w/o the chipbreaker.

I gravitated to Japanese planes as I found myself making or
modifying my planes more in that style: blade near the
middle so the plane could easily be pushed or pulled, lower
profiles, setting the cross-pin lower, et c.
Eventually I saw a Japanese plane and realized that
was what I was trying to make, without knowing it!

The blade is wedge shaped and sprung-fit into the body,
and the soles are usually configured to touch at two
or three points only, rather than flat. They blades are
thick, laminated with hard steel forged to softer backing
steel. The hard steel is a thin layer, and the backing
steel is soft. They are sharpened with a flat bevel.

I'm kind of going on here- Japanesetools.com usually
offers a course in Japanese plane making yearly, with
a Master plane body (dai) maker. Also, the Fine Woodworking book 'Bench Tools' has a very good article
by Robert Meadow on setting them up. They can be finicky,
but when right, they're like magic.

I think there are recent photos of plane making at
daikudojo.org, and shizutanischool.org    Best, Carey




Author:  JJ Donohue [ Wed Apr 19, 2006 6:00 am ]
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Thanks Carey. Good info!
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