Handplane Restoration #1: Planes, Planes, Planes

that’s quite a collection. Plane and simple.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Wayne. that’s a nice selection of planes. Didn’t notice any blocks though? I too am a ebay plane buyer and there are lots of 60 1/2s from time to time.

When I figure out how to post pics I’ll post some of my planes. About 30+ of them.

Good luck and have fun fettling away on your toys….I mean tools…...

-- Jimmy

I have a number of block planes, scrapers and spokeshaves. My primary blocks are a pair of lie-nelsons. Although I am jonesing for a #18. I was just focusing on bench planes from a resortation perspective.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

WayneC,

It looks to me like you need more room in your shop. If you guys post information on planes, can you teach us a little about the types of planes? I’ve been looking on Ebay for planes and there’s so many – Block, hand, jack, etc and different sizes I don’t know where to start. For example, I would like a plane to flatten to mismatched surfaces, which one to use. Also, jointer work, etc.

-- There are three types of people in the world, those who can count and those who can't!

I just ordered the video through the link you provided. I have some old Stanley and Bedrock planes that were my great grandfather’s, and I’m looking forward to restoring them to their former glory. I’m very excited about the idea of using the same planes that my great grandfather used, and he definitely USED them. They are in pretty bad shape, but I’m sure they can be brought back to life.

-- JP, Shelbyville, KY

Wayne you’re making me want to start combing the antique stores, flea markets and staking out ebay again! I thought I had enough irons in the fire but after looking at your collection of planes I think it’s time to stoke the flames and make room for some more. I’m so glad you’re finding the recent series of episodes on hand planes enjoyable, they’re such a passion of mine and I can’t wait to get back to a project where I can use them. Hopefully in the next week or so I can start the videos to accompany the audio episodes.

-- Straight grains & sharp blades

BB,

There are a lot of good books out there on hand tools (and hand planes in particular) that might offer you better information. Or, at least, it would be information already “edited” for clarity and publication purposes, so it would be easier to read, use, and understand.

Suggested Reading:
“Traditional Woodworking Handtools” by Graham Blackburn
“Classic Hand Tools” by Garrett Hack
“A Guide to Hand-Tools and Methods” by David Charlesworth (note: I’ve actually never read this, but I’m going to be ordering it soon. This is Volume #3 of a series he’s writing. I have his first two (some of which have some plane information in them, as well), and they are superbly written and full of useful information.)

If you have a library card, your first stop should be the local library and try to find some books there.

If you don’t have a library card, you should get one.

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

I have the classic hand tools book and would also recommend it. I also have one of David Charlesworth’s books and can recommend them. I’m jumping the gun a bit on providing my reference list. But I also own and can recommend the following items.

Books

The Handplane Book (Paperback) by Garrett Hack

Working with Handplanes (New Best of Fine Woodworking) (Paperback)
by Editors of Fine Woodworking

Planecraft by C.W. Hampton and E. Clifford

Making & Mastering Wood Planes (Paperback) by David Finck

The Complete Guide to Sharpening by Leonard Lee

Videos

All from Lie-Nielson toolworks

Hand Tool Techniques Part 1: Plane Sharpening – David Charlesworth
Hand Tool Techniques Part 2: Hand Planing – David Charlesworth
Precision Shooting Simplified – David Charlesworth
Hand Planing and Sharpening – Rob Cosman
Rough to Ready – Rob Cosman

Sharpening Woodworking Tools with Leonard Lee

I will try to add a few more after I review my library.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

But maybe your first stop should be at the afore mentioned Patrick’s Blood and Gore, if you want to read up on all the different Stanley planes and their uses.

Patrick is a great writer with an even greater sense of humor.

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

Oh and “Traditional Woodworking Handtools” by Graham Blackburn is on my wish list.

I also really like the video Forgotten Hand Tools by Chris Schwarz

Subjects include using cut nails to toe nail panels, pinned tenons using pins created with a doweling plate and using hand saws

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Wayne, if you like Chris Schwarz, you should definitely check out his alter-ego woodworking magazine, simply called Woodworking Magazine.

You can get all of the back issues on one CD (they only put out two issues a year at the moment, so there aren’t a whole lot of back issues, to be honest with you).

Each issue is filled with info. If you haven’t read it yet, you should definitely check it out.

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

Thanks. I will check it out. I also like his blog.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Jimmy,

These are some of my other planes.

I did create a thread on posting pictures. It has some info from the folks in the know.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Oh Yeah. Nice planes…

I just missed a Bedrock smoother on eBay the other day. Lost out for the sake of $2.00 higher bid at the last second. Someone must have sniped me!

There you go. I had to settle for a Spiers wooden infill smother. I am looking forward to restoring it as you might guess.

John (UK)

-- Working fast helps you to arrive at your mistakes in spectacular fashion. (Me 2009!)

You win some, you lose some. The Spiers sounds real nice. You will have to post some pictures.

Also, let me know if you ever run across a side handle for a Record T5. I’m looking for one.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

...all just plane crazy…

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Also Woodsmith has a plane Pod cast available – Why you need hand planes in your shop

This is a good overview if your wondering what the fuss is all about.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Awesome Wayne! I have one plane and never use it. Ill be exploring the plane field someday, every master crafter has them.

Please post when you do. How have you been doing?

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov