| Project by USCJeff | posted 556 days ago | 1057 views | 5 times favorited | 21 comments | ![]() |
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Simply put, This was a fun one. I have a feeling I”m going to be doing a lot more projects that won’t leave the shop in the future. While I’ve tried my hand at many shop projects and jigs, this was my first plane attempt. I decided to go with a simple design for the first attempt.
The plane is a block plane measuring about 6.5”L by 1 11/16” W. That width allowed me to use a 1 5/8” Hock blade. It’s still in the mail so I have a cheap newly produced Stanley blade on it at the moment. I was surprised the Stanley cut so well. It wasn’t so hot on the Stanley plane. The mouth is 1/16”.
It is made from hard Maple and Peruvian Walnut. Both are pretty stable and hard. There are (5) steel rods going through the width of the plane. One of these is for the wedge. The wedge did it’s job with a little tap from a mallet. The Hock blade is longer than the Stanleys which is good. The wedge covers the Stanley completely. Makes it tough for adjustments and keeping it put while securing the wedge.
I routed two small finger grips on opposite sides using a 1/4” core bit in two passes. I used a 1/8” roundover on all the edges that are touched.
The finish was a a coat of GF’s gel varnish, a wiping varnish, and an aeresol varnish. I applied Minwax Paste Wax to the sole to reduce friction.
-- Jeff, South Carolina































21 comments so far
GaryK
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9537 posts in 886 days
posted 556 days ago
Very cool looking Jeff. I like the choice of woods.
Aren’t you a little worried about shoving the wedge tighter on the blade when you use it?
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Scott Bryan
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20746 posts in 719 days
posted 556 days ago
Jeff,
This is nice. It is a gorgeous plane as well. I guess it is a little early to let Veritas and Lie-Nielsen know that there is a new player in the game? :)
I really enjoyed looking at this. Thanks for the post and congrats on a job well done!!!!
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
dennis mitchell
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3791 posts in 1212 days
posted 556 days ago
I can tell that could become a serious addiction! Nice work.
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
mzmac
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76 posts in 565 days
posted 556 days ago
very nice get ready to make more.
USCJeff
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901 posts in 966 days
posted 556 days ago
Gary: Not sure the wedge would get any tighter. I see what you, though. The better part of my palm will be pushing it during a cut. I have to use a mallet tap to wedge/unwedge it. I really don’t think it’ll go in further without creating a divot or such. I’ll have to see. Didn’t even think about that. The design was from one of those Wood Magazine compilation issue so I hope they did!
Just started making a 1/4” Router Plane from a design by Nick Engler. Popular Woodworking supplement I believe.
Scott: I’ll trade for a Veritas or LN any day of the week. Haven’t owned one, but have taken a swipe or two before their owner caught me. He has a “thing” about “his” planes. :) They were effortless. That made me understand what planing should be like and that I avoid it often because of inferior products.
-- Jeff, South Carolina
teenagewoodworker
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2482 posts in 666 days
posted 555 days ago
great job on the plane. making a plane is something that I’ve always wanted to try but haven’t been able to. yours is really nice to! thanks for the post.
miles125
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1439 posts in 903 days
posted 555 days ago
Nice little plane. I bet you’ll have a shelf full of em soon. Lol
-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""
jockmike2
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7351 posts in 1144 days
posted 555 days ago
They’re a lot worse addictions to fall into. Very nice. mike
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
trifern
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7895 posts in 665 days
posted 555 days ago
Great execution Jeff. Thank you for sharing.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
Rob
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197 posts in 565 days
posted 555 days ago
Love it! Nice design.
cowboy
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64 posts in 685 days
posted 555 days ago
That is a really nice looking hand plane I’d really be proud of one like that
Cowboy
rikkor
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11335 posts in 772 days
posted 555 days ago
That is really nice. Some day…
mjlauro
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239 posts in 658 days
posted 555 days ago
Excellent job, my first attempt ended up in the scrap pile, but I will try again.
USCJeff
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901 posts in 966 days
posted 555 days ago
UPDATE: Just got the Hock Blade in the mail. I now know why my Lowe’s/Home Depot planes stink. For starters, it is quite a bit thicker. It seemed that it was sharpened well considering that I haven’t quite got the hang of sharpening quite yet. It made the wedge a little snugger than I cared for so I skimmed it down about 1/16” or so to compensate for the thickness. It cut fantastic. For a comparison, I put it on a $20 Lowe’s bought bottom shelf Stanley plane. While the adjustments were stlil frustrating and the mouth is way too open, the iron made a world of difference. Bottom line: I’d suggest trying a proven iron on a mediocre plane before shelling out LN or Veritas money. Their great planes, but I can’t invest in several of their planes just yet. The $30 spent at Hock seems as it will get me to a decent compromise of results and costs.
-- Jeff, South Carolina
Douglas Bordner
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3427 posts in 961 days
posted 555 days ago
Nice lines on that sweet little plane!
I went in cheap when I bought a Stanley Low angle block. Getting the Hock after-market blade was certainly the way to go. Those considering a purchase of Hock or Lie-Nielsen should consider checking the price and shipping charges (free at last check) from Craftsman Studio. Thanks again to WayneC for this tip.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Blake
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2760 posts in 772 days
posted 555 days ago
Another awesome plane! I love these. I really should make one of these. Favorited. Thanks!
-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com
Kevin Violette
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214 posts in 761 days
posted 554 days ago
Great looking plane! Love the wood combination.
-- Kevin -- (http://www.furniturebykevin.com)
PaBull
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292 posts in 562 days
posted 553 days ago
i like the plane, this is my next project if i just get my house done.
-- http://www.twinoaksgrowers.com
handyman_pk
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24 posts in 543 days
posted 538 days ago
nice little gadget
-- when you lose, Don't lose lesson
suliman
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292 posts in 702 days
posted 510 days ago
WE can named you tools designer
-- Suliman , Syria, jablah ,
Karson
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25806 posts in 1298 days
posted 510 days ago
Jeff a great looking plane. Nice job on the creation.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †