Block plane model

[pop-pop]

Came across this block plane feasibility model that I made several years ago from sycamore firewood to practice the techniques.

Ever thought about making a wooden plane? A laminated plane of this style does not require advanced skills and is fun to learn. Even if you only keep it on your desk, it is a good practice project before making a real one.

The bed and breast are just wooden blocks with one angled face. The sides are outlined with saw cuts, chopped with a chisels, and smoothed with a small router plane. The wedge looks more complicated than it is to make. To make your own iron, hardening and tempering O1 tool steel is an easy skill to learn using a MAPP or other torch, quenching in peanut oil, and tempering in a toaster oven.

Paul Sellers has this video that teaches how to make a laminated wooden plane of this style.

Making a Wooden Plane - Episode 1

In this episode, Paul talks us through how to lay out all the parts of the plane. He goes on to cut the different sections of the body and make the wedge and wedge housing. This episode concludes with…

woodworkingmasterclasses.com

 

[J_Graham]

I just want to throw this out there. I would LOVE to attend a 1 day class to make this if you taught it @pop-pop
Just throwing out ideas....

 

[pop-pop]

Graham, at 87 years old, I am running low on endurance and a whole day at anything is getting to be a bit much.

 

[Clfton Glasgow]

Came across this block plane feasibility model that I made several years ago from sycamore firewood to practice the techniques.

Ever thought about making a wooden plane? A laminated plane of this style does not require advanced skills and is fun to learn. Even if you only keep it on your desk, it is a good practice project before making a real one.

Very nice! Here's one I did based on Richard Maguire's videos

 

[pop-pop]

Nice jointer.

The first plane that I made in a class had the Krenov pin over a solid wedge. Somehow that soured me and I have always used a traditional wedge and abutments. YMMV I guess.

 

[Clfton Glasgow]

Nice jointer.

The first plane that I made in a class had the Krenov pin over a solid wedge. Somehow that soured me and I have always used a traditional wedge and abutments. YMMV I guess.

Thanks! That was my first (successful) build so I don't really have anything to which to compare it. (In the background you can see the body of a coffin smoother that was plane build number 0 but it didn't work well at all. I think I should have used a steeper bed angle and I used a crap iron & chip breaker. I'll eventually remake it....)

 

[pop-pop]

Thanks! That was my first (successful) build so I don't really have anything to which to compare it. (In the background you can see the body of a coffin smoother that was plane build number 0 but it didn't work well at all. I think I should have used a steeper bed angle and I used a crap iron & chip breaker. I'll eventually remake it....)

Personally, I like a 3/16” or 1/4” thick iron with no cap iron. Once you have made your first one, they are a snap to create. A thicker iron does not need a cap iron to stiffen it to avoid chatter, IMO.

 

[Clfton Glasgow]

Personally, I like a 3/16” or 1/4” thick iron with no cap iron. Once you have made your first one, they are a snap to create. A thicker iron does not need a cap iron to stiffen it to avoid chatter, IMO.

I was using an iron and chip breaker stolen from a cheap plane I had lying around....

The jointer has a Hock iron I bought new

 

[Clfton Glasgow]

The first plane that I made in a class had the Krenov pin over a solid wedge. Somehow that soured me and I have always used a traditional wedge and abutments. YMMV I guess.

What don't you like about the pin & solid wedge?

 

[pop-pop]

That first plane was from the very first plane making class taught by Bill Anderson. Hock iron set, Krenov style, with a wooden cross pin. That pin and the solid wedge really restricted access to shavings with your plucking finger. A separate problem was I could not stop the cap iron from slipping on the iron when adjusting the cut.

Next plane (a coffin smoother) had a traditional wedge and I never made another Krenov style.

Edit: better pic

 

[tvrgeek]

I was thinking about making a Krenov style. His books have teased me for 20 or so years. I will take your comments on wedge vs pin in thought.

 

[pop-pop]

I was thinking about making a Krenov style. His books have teased me for 20 or so years. I will take your comments on wedge vs pin in thought.

Scott, that Paul Sellers video is a great guide for a first wooden plane build,

 

[Clfton Glasgow]

Scott, that Paul Sellers video is a great guide for a first wooden plane build,

Have you got a link? Paul has so many videos! I looked but couldn't find it.

Here's Richard's guide (you have to create a free account):

Build Your Own Wooden Plane. - The English Woodworker

The Plane Build is a FREE Mini Series taking you through the steps for building your own ‘traditional looking’ laminated wooden plane. We provide the PDF plans together with a bonus video teaching how to set a wooden plane.

www.theenglishwoodworker.com

 

[pop-pop]

Have you got a link? Paul has so many videos! I looked but couldn't find it.

Here's Richard's guide (you have to create a free account):

Build Your Own Wooden Plane. - The English Woodworker

The Plane Build is a FREE Mini Series taking you through the steps for building your own ‘traditional looking’ laminated wooden plane. We provide the PDF plans together with a bonus video teaching how to set a wooden plane.

www.theenglishwoodworker.com

Look back at my first post in this thread for the link.

 

[Clfton Glasgow]

Look back at my first post in this thread for the link.

Ok I'm blind. Thanks!

 

[Hand tool crafted]

I was using an iron and chip breaker stolen from a cheap plane I had lying around....

The jointer has a Hock iron I bought new

Is it true that Hock was bought by Lee Valley? I have been reading the newer irons are a crap shoot from Hock and then I think I read that was because they were bought, I THINK by Lee Valley.

 

[Clfton Glasgow]

No idea about quality pre- vs post- but yes my understanding is that they were purchased by Lee Valley

 

[Hand tool crafted]

I am really considering making my first wooden plane, I have Richard McGuire's video as well as Paul Sellers. I also have a 6-inch piece of oil hardened O1 tool steel 3/8 x 2 that is already annealed. Yes, it pays to have a good friend who is a professional welder!! I am fairly certain I won't need a cap iron with this hunk of steel. He bought it from McMaster-Carr for a job and that was what was left. I looked it up and from what I can tell this would be OK for a plane blade, I think. Do you with a lot more experience have any thoughts on the steel size, type or making a plane with it?

 

[pop-pop]

I am really considering making my first wooden plane, I have Richard McGuire's video as well as Paul Sellers. I also have a 6-inch piece of oil hardened O1 tool steel 3/8 x 2 that is already annealed. Yes, it pays to have a good friend who is a professional welder!! I am fairly certain I won't need a cap iron with this hunk of steel. He bought it from McMaster-Carr for a job and that was what was left. I looked it up and from what I can tell this would be OK for a plane blade, I think. Do you with a lot more experience have any thoughts on the steel size, type or making a plane with it?

3/8” is a bit thick. It would work but the plane would be heavy and the iron cumbersome to sharpen.

An old lawn mower blade is another source for an inexpensive iron. Cuts easily with an angle grinder. Actually, almost any steel will work for a bit but a hardened and tempered steel will stay sharp much, much longer.

 

[Hand tool crafted]

3/8” is a bit thick. It would work but the plane would be heavy and the iron cumbersome to sharpen.

An old lawn mower blade is another source for an inexpensive iron. Cuts easily with an angle grinder. Actually, almost any steel will work for a bit but a hardened and tempered steel will stay sharp much, much longer.

Could I just have my friend take his fly cutter on his mill and mill it to the desired thickness? What would the best thickness be?