Official Luthiers Forum!

Watched John's voicing video with a friend not too long ago, and was shaping some braces last night. I know that he posts on this forum, and was wondering if anyone knows what size (brand) of plane he uses to shape his bracing?

Thanks,
Howie

He uses a small Ibex fingerplane

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Hey, welcome, Howie! I hope you'll stay with our merry band of misfits.

Howie those planes are avaible from Stew Mac and Lee Valley. I have one and it is great. One of our forum memebers over in the UK also makes some very lovely small brass planes and maybe he will post if he is interested in making any more. I have both the Ibex and two of his and you can't go wrong with any of them.

Welcome to the OLF!!

Shane

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Canada

I think they are cheaper from International Violin Co HERE
I think his is the 36mm curved bottom one.
Tracy

Howie, welcome to the best forum on the planet, hang around here, the folks are just great, tons to learn and watch!

Enjoy!

Serge

mine is actually the next to smallest size flat soled one..I love it :)

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Thanks for the replies - including those from the movie star himself. Guess I'll try the 30mm - flat bottom IBEX. I told my friend that is teaching me how to make this guitar, that I would also like to use the sanding setup that John uses to hog out the rough shape of the braces. He handed me my chisel.

Thanks Again,
Howie

[QUOTE=Shane Neifer] Howie those planes are avaible from Stew Mac and Lee Valley. I have one and it is great. One of our forum memebers over in the UK also makes some very lovely small brass planes and maybe he will post if he is interested in making any more. I have both the Ibex and two of his and you can't go wrong with any of them.
[/QUOTE]

I have two of Mark's (from UK) planes. Here's one of 'em resting against a piece of binding/purfling:



I find that I use the larger one -- about 1-1/4" long -- more. It's great for shaving top braces. Fact, I'm giving it a workout right now, as I'm bracing a brace of tops.

I don't own any of the Ibexes yet, but I would especially like to get one of the mid-sized ones. I have a cheapo Stanley with about a 3" base that I use right now for shaving back braces. It's one of the little blue ones you can buy at the box store for about $10. Works okay but the Ibex of the same size has some heft to it, and I'm sure would turn shaving back braces from a chore to a pleasure. I especially like the rounded edges on the sole of the Ibexes. Easier on the hands, and also the instrument.

Best,

MichaelMichael McBroom38862.6474305556

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Live to Play, Play to Live

I have a convex bottom Ibex, the largest that Lee Valley sells and one size smaller than Stew Mac sells, I like shaving the side of braces with it it gives the braces a very graceful sweep that I find appealing. I am in the camp that likes braces a bit taller but a bit thinner near the top. Here is a picture of a braced top and the Ibex plane I use, this was before Mark sent me his beauties!



Shane

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Canada

I also have two of Marks Planes, and an Ibex, The Ibex is Good, Marks are Superb. Not sure if he is going to make any more, if he does and you get the chance to buy one, I would recomend them to anyone.

Hi Shane

I noticed the Sorby paring chisel, how do you find it ?, I have read mixed review, I want another one and can't decide on Sorby or Henry Taylor.

Hi Russel,

I have heard bad things about the Sorby's as well. But I have four (1/4 through to 1 inch) and I like them. They could hold a better edge but that usually comes with a trade off that you can't get them as sharp. You can get these things very sharp and when using them for carving braces and the like they stay sharp quite well. The secret is to touch them up well before they become very dull. I have a couple of Henry Taylor gouges and am not all that happy with their attention to detail in attaching the tang, mine are bent and were made that way. I have seen some LMI chisels and I think that they are made by Henry Taylor (judging by their appearance and construction) and they seemed less than top notch to me again. I think their steel is fabulous but I just can't get over using something that doesn't feel right in my hand.

Hope that helps Russel...Oh ya, I have Sorby timberframing chisels as well and quite like them also.

Shane

Shane Neifer38862.6651273148

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Canada

repeat of post above ..

Shane


Shane Neifer38862.7040972222

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Canada

Thanks Shane

That helps loads.

Hey Carlton,
[QUOTE=CarltonM] Hey, welcome, Howie! I hope you'll stay with our merry band of misfits.[/QUOTE]
Please speak for yourself when you call us a "merry band of misfits." I am definitely NOT......... feeling merry today.

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

LMI's are made in Germany. They are beautiful chisels except that they are polished top and bottom. More work to flatten the backs. Since I have so many other chisels I will be offering them for sale as soon as Lance has the Luthier's Auction section up and running. They are sharp and stay sharp. I initially bought them for the very narrow ones. One, two ane three mm chisels are rare birds. Stay tuned.MT

Welcome Howie to the OLF!

I have one of Marks from the UK and I really like it alot, between it and my various belt & disc sanders braces are a snap.

Mike
White Oak, Texas

[QUOTE=RussellR] Hi Shane

I noticed the Sorby paring chisel, how do you find it ?, I have read mixed review, I want another one and can't decide on Sorby or Henry Taylor. [/QUOTE]

Russell, just get the Henry Taylor ones from Axminster, I have two that I use a lot, they take and hold a very good edge.

I have two of Marks little planes a well, somehow they just keep jumping into my hand!

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

I have the narrow LMI chisels and then a 1/4" and 1/2" Sorby paring chisels. I've been happy with the Sorby's and turn to them immediately when I want something of that width. I haven't tried any chisels that they would be compared to unfavorably, so my opinion is based on little experience. On the other hand, I haven't felt the need to go looking for replacements either.

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

[QUOTE=Colin S] [QUOTE=RussellR] Hi Shane

I noticed the Sorby paring chisel, how do you find it ?, I have read mixed review, I want another one and can't decide on Sorby or Henry Taylor. [/QUOTE]

Russell, just get the Henry Taylor ones from Axminster, I have two that I use a lot, they take and hold a very good edge.

I have two of Marks little planes a well, somehow they just keep jumping into my hand!

Colin[/QUOTE]

Who is Mark? I have been looking for something like that for a while. Just yesterday I sent off an email to St. James Bay about getting one of their little rabbit planes.

It seems that there are a number of us (myself included) that are shaping soundboard braces this week.

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53% of all statistics are made up on the spot
http://driftwoodguitars.blogspot.com/

I also have 2 of Marks planes and couldn't be happier. For a chisel....I recommend the StewMac Brace Chisel.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA