Just playing around in the shop and came accross these planes. I made them a couple years ago, and really enjoyed it.
Nothing too fancy, and the basic plans came from a book on making hand planes.
They are a pleasure to use as the shavings come peeling through the throat opening. That nice whoosh sound that only planes make, and shavings thin enough to read through!





And a polished surface that’s left behind. So much satisfaction in using them, knowing you made them.
The block plane is maple and rosewood. The joiner plane is wenge, with a bloodwood wedge.
The blades are Hock purchased from Woodcraft.
For finishing them I left them submerged in a boiled linseed oil for about a day, let it dry out for a week, and did it again. The reason for that is so they don’t take on any moisture and change dimensions by swelling or warping.
Adjusting the blade took a little getting used to, since I’ve only ever had to turn a knob to adjust a plane before.
With these tapping on the front or back of the body with a mallet raises and lowers the blade.
I came out with a better understanding of how planes work, and a couple nice tools in the process.
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

















17 comments so far
Dorje
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1761 posts in 2169 days
#1 posted 2126 days ago
Lee – cool planes! How long is that joiner?
-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA
Roger Strautman
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626 posts in 2306 days
#2 posted 2126 days ago
These look like they would be very comfortable in your hand? I also like your choice of woods. Thanks for sharing.
-- " All Things At First Appear Difficult"
Lee A. Jesberger
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6501 posts in 2152 days
#3 posted 2126 days ago
Hi Dorje,
Since I’m not in the shop, I’m guessing 12”, but you know how us guys are. LOL
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Lee A. Jesberger
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6501 posts in 2152 days
#4 posted 2126 days ago
Hi Roger,
That’s exactly how I shaped them. I keeped playing with them until they “felt” right. Then I put the finish on.
Sorry the wemge photos aren’t better. The bloodwood wedge is fairly bright red, aagainst almost black wenge.
The boiled linseed oil really darkened them up.
Thanks for the comments,
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
TomFran
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2933 posts in 2166 days
#5 posted 2126 days ago
Lee,
These planes are beautiful, and I they work great – how can you go wrong. I’ll bet your post here is going to inspire others (maybe me…) to want to craft some of their own planes.
-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28
PanamaJack
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4472 posts in 2250 days
#6 posted 2126 days ago
Lee, just a great job on all. Would you happen to remember the book title?
These should be displayed prominently in your shop.
-- Carpe Lignum; Tornare Lignum (Seize the wood, to Turn the wood)
MsDebbieP
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18320 posts in 2333 days
#7 posted 2126 days ago
I can just imagine the pleasure you get from using these tools that you made yourself….
and they are beautiful to look at as well
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Lee A. Jesberger
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6501 posts in 2152 days
#8 posted 2125 days ago
Hi Tom;
I highly recommend it. It’s a fun project, yet has it’s own challenges.
Great satisfaction in using them as well!
Thanks,
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Lee A. Jesberger
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6501 posts in 2152 days
#9 posted 2125 days ago
Hi Panama;
I don’t remember off the top of my head, but I’ll find out and post it.
Thanks,
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Lee A. Jesberger
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6501 posts in 2152 days
#10 posted 2125 days ago
Hello Debbie;
Yes, great fun in using them.
Thanks,
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Karson
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34370 posts in 2573 days
#11 posted 2125 days ago
Great planes Lee. I need to try making something like them.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
WayneC
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9596 posts in 2269 days
#12 posted 2125 days ago
Great planes Lee. I’m planning to make a couple in the near future. Need to order some blades from Hock. Yours provide great inspiration.
OS, the book is probably
Making & Mastering Wood Planes: Revised Edition (Paperback) by David Finck
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
Lee A. Jesberger
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6501 posts in 2152 days
#13 posted 2125 days ago
Hi Guys;
Thanks for the comments.
That title sounds familiar Wayne.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Don
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2592 posts in 2349 days
#14 posted 2125 days ago
Lee, I’ve never really thought much about making my own planes, but is is obvious from your comments and those of others that there is a lot of satisfaction in doing so,
Very nice work, as always, Mate.
-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hillsbiblechurch.org/
Lee A. Jesberger
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6501 posts in 2152 days
#15 posted 2125 days ago
Hey Don;
Yes there is, and they’re even smaller than “small wooden boxes”.
They really are fun to make, because of all the different sizes and shapes, and wood chioces, plus when done YOU actually get to keep and use them, instead of someone else, like our usual projects.
I love that sound of the shavings peeling away from the board, and knowing I made it happen.
Thanks;
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
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