I started a series since there seems to already be a theme to my blog postings…all related to this entertainment center project that I’m working on, and usually something to do with planes.
I’ve spent a good bit of time sharpening the blade to my great granddad’s old Bailey/Stanley plane. It’s almost sharp enough to cut hair with, but not quite. I realized this past weekend that one of the screw holes for the frog will need to be epoxied and redrilled. I had reached my frustration point…I was feeling like I was making some progress by getting the blade done, but still work needed done on the sole and now the frog…all doable work, but I only have two weeks until I have to start another school quarter, my time to get hopping on this project is disappearing before my eyes.
I made a trip to my local blue box store to see what my options were…after all I am hoping to only have to use it minimally… picked up a cheap low angle stanley block plane. Got home, and the sole appears to be flat, so I sharpened the blade up. I got what I paid for… the blade shifted all over the place, can’t get anything to line up right long enough to take a pass. Could be user error as well, but I decided it was time to talk to the Woodcraft folks again and see about getting a middle of the road plane that I could do minimal work to and possibly get my boards squared by the weekend.
I should get the lady’s name that manages to give me great advice – and almost talked me out of a new plane. I decided to pick up a Wood River #4, and save my granddad’s plane for when I had the proper amount of time to focus on it instead of trying to get it done to get onto the next task. The plane is still in the packaging on the desk as I try to validate how much of my plywood is out of square… so I’m still weighing my options…at least until tonight when I open it up to hopefully just sharpen the blade. fingers crossed
-- aspiring jill of all trades
4 comments so far
a1Jim
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87200 posts in 1747 days
#1 posted 1072 days ago
wood river planes have some super reviews. Good luck.
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
Kent Shepherd
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#2 posted 1072 days ago
There is nothing more satisfying than a well tuned plane, and nothing more frustrating than one that’s not.
Hang in there, but if you ever use a really good plane, it’s next to impossible to go back.
I have an Anant #4 that tuned up fairly well—Until I use it beside my Clifton #4. The worst part is the time it took to do it. If I got paid like a plumber, The Clifton would have been the cheaper plane!
Sometimes it’s better to give up and buy a Lie-Nielsen or Clifton, but then you might not eat for a while
-- She thought I hung the moon--now she just thinks I did it wrong
dbhost
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#3 posted 1072 days ago
I gotta ask. Hand planing plywood? Never even tried that one…
-- Manufacturer of fine quality sawdust since 1984. Comments and advice on my shop welcome. Check it out at http://lumberjocks.com/dbhost/workshop. Gladly accepting shop build donations!
rhybeka
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161 posts in 1291 days
#4 posted 1068 days ago
hey DB! yeah – I’m probably crazy for doing it this way, but it’s always a learning experience. I started another thread on it and got some good power tool ideas, but I just can’t afford to mess up since the lumber mill is an hour and 15 minutes one way. I can sneak up on it with a hand plane instead of taking off too much on the first pass with a power tool…and I don’t have the time or patience to use my ROS (only sander I own)...tho of course with tuning the plane (which it shouldn’t require much if any) and sharpening the blade (which should go quickly as well) I’m hoping the straightening will be done tonight. Guess I better go get to it!
-- aspiring jill of all trades
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