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This is a small smoother similar to three others I have previously built. I built this because I had all the materials on hand and it's been a year or so since I last built an infill, and I felt like it! It was my first time using my new milling machine to help make one. It is still a lot of work, but the precision of drilling the holes and getting a square mouth and such was much easier. It has one or two very small aesthetic "oopsies", one was the result of a tool failing on me and the other was the result of my gaining a learning experience on the mill :). I learned that locking down your milling head while fly cutting is vitally important…

On the whole, I am really happy with how it turned out. Thanks for looking!

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Well done Brian, that is a beauty. I wish I had a milling machine… where did you pick up yours? I like the infill knob a lot. What is your process for heat treating the blade?
 

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My mill is the Grizzly G0704. I was lucky enough to sell a few things to pay for it. I then outfitted the X and Y axes with CNC control. The infill knob is brass, bronze, and bocote.

Heat treating the blade is pretty straightforward: I have a few fire bricks that I use to make a corner, I put the blade in the corner and heat to non-magnetic with a MAPP torch. I get the first 1-2 inches hardened currently, just because I can't seem to generate and retain enough heat to do the whole thing, but if someone uses the entire first 2 inches or so, there is no way to adjust it, as it would sit below the level of the sides. I then temper at 350 degrees for 1-2 hours in the kitchen oven (after scrubbing off as much scale as possible). Then I lap and sharpen. Even the big thick shaving I took on hard maple left a beautiful finish.
 

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That sure is purdee
 

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Awesome Brian!
 

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Well done my friend. I think you've been bitten by the toolmaking bug.
 

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Sweeeeet!
 

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BRK, I was bitten long ago, but sometimes it goes slightly into remission, other times, it flares up something vicious :)
 

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Very COOL!

Nice plane… :)
 

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That is a beautiful tool and beautifully built.
Nice job Brian!
 

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fantastic
 

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Very nice Brian.
 

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Great work, Brian! Looks like a comfy size plane. I like the infill knob.

Sick Bocote.

Muy jealous of the mill. I'm sure it has a learning curve, but more precise than files and sandpaper.

I think you're ready for a laser to carve yer logo on tools!
 

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Terry, as much as I would love a laser, I have no room for it! Just don't tell my wife I said that..
 

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Great plane!
I literally can feel how it invites to take it in hands and make shavings!
 

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Another well made plane Brian. Nice work. Glad you are finding the new mill useful.
 
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