Moulding Planes

These plane posts are great. Keep ‘em coming Phil. I see that you cover a bit on the hardening/tempering process in the step-by-step…Thanks for the link.

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

Any chance you will build a full set of these Phil? Something like 24 planes.

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

Most informative, Phil. Nice work.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hilsbiblechurch.org/

Very nice work. I am headed over to your website now….

-- Max "Desperado", Salt Lake City, UT

Philip,
You make very nice planes. Your step-by-step method of making them, shown in photos on your website, is very instructive. Thanks for that posting.

-- Don Snyder (38.6N, 90.3W)

Philip,
I really enjoy your planes and your website. You’ve inspired me to try one. Also, did you mention that you had an article somewhere about tempering steel? Or I’m I crazy? Thanks for sharing you work and information.

Larry

Thanks for your positive comments!
Glad you are finding it useful.
Wayne, I intend to make a half-set when I get the time. I have made two pairs so far.
Larry, I am working on a small video on heat treating tool steel. Stay tuned!
Thanks again,
Phil

Awesome! I’ve never seen anything like that!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

These are great Philip. Beautiful work.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

Phil -

Please keep these coming! Absolutley beautiful.

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

Nice work. Fast enjoyable reading.

-- "so much to learn and so little time"..

We are about due to see another new plane (or perhaps a hammer?)...

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

Phil – Really like your two molders. Have you made only these two, or are there others? I am very interested in making a batch of these representing maybe 8 to 10 different profiles. I really find interesting the fact that craftsmen (jointers) in the 18th and 19th centuries, in particular, often had dozens of these. I own a couple 100+ year old molders that aren’t in very good shape, but cut great now that I’ve re-ground the irons and flattened the wear surfaces.

I can only imagine what it would be to have a dozen or more of these at the fingertips in my shop, newly built – especially for small projects with profiled edges. In my opinion, one of the most useful and diabolical tools all of us have today is the router. Grabbing a molding plane and going right to work on an edge with no screaming motor, dust, etc., is so much more appealing that dragging out the router or setting up the router table for a small job.

Great post and thanks for being an important inspiration to us hand-tool enthusiasts. – James

-- -JB

Thanks JB!
I’ve made a few pairs – I still intend to make a “half set”. Just need the time, you know ;)
The quiet “swish” of wooden plane on timber is indeed inspiring.
Best regards
Phil

Good looking planes. I agree about the “swish” sound as an inspiration.

great information, thanks, I would love to give it a try someday

-- Martin, Gatineau, Québec