I just finished posting my latest plane attempt. It was another rewarding process. I learn a little more about the mechanics involved with each attempt. One thing I didn’t realize, was that I really got the chance to practice woodworking with extremely strict tolerances. A slightly thin tenon is one thing, a slightly slanted iron ramp is another. I’ve also appreciated the need for sharp cutting edges. I’m learning that I don’t want to stick with the “Scary Sharp” system forever. It works, it just works slowly. I’m really wanting a WorkSharp. At $200, it seems to be a great compromise between value and quality. More time cutting wood, less time sharpening.
-- Jeff, South Carolina
1 comment so far
EdC
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420 posts in 325 days
posted 120 days ago
Jeff,
Working within very close tolerences can be challenging to say the least. I recently posted a project in the form of a challenge on the forum about “skills”. The challenge is to construct a 6” cube that that rec’s a P-lam surface on all six sides. The cube must be constructed with rabbet joinery and then glued. The surace will then rec. laminate as to cover all six surfaces. The final result is to have the cube finish at 6” + or – 1/64th, and be square in all directions. So far not many have taken the challenge.
The construction of a high quality tools such as Plane will reguire the same skill set. This is what I enjoy about woodworking is the constant challenges we are faced with. I have been told by others that there are few things more satisfiing as using a plane you have made yourself. And seeing beautiful thin even wisps of wood curling up out of the opening, with each pass you make! I am hoping to find the time this summer to try my hand at making a couple of planes myself. School is finished tommorow till September, so I will have more time for personal projects.
What type of blade are you using?
As to the issue of sharpening, have you ever used Japanese water stones. I have access to a number of different sharpening methods at school. We have a number of different sharpening machines we can use. But most of us , including myself prefer the results obtained with the water stones. I found that I am able to produce such a sharp edge, that maintaining that edge requires very little time, or effort. I finish out my sharpening with a 8000 grit stone, and the results are great.
-- Ed Collinge- Edmonds, WA.