I'm interested in trying to build an infill plane and am looking for some advice/suggestions. I'm thinking about a single iron level down smoother without any kind of depth adjustment mechanism.
My primary objective is to achieve the final product of the working plane, not so much developing metal working skills (I have no metalworking skills or tools beyond a drill press, grinder and files etc.) and so am looking for the simplest/easiest construction strategy.
I have a couple basic questions, which I'm sure will be incredibly naïve to the experts here in the cave. Beyond answers to these questions any other advice/recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
1) Any references, books posted etc. that would be helpful?
2) Is there another way to attach the metal sides to the metal sole besides cutting and peening dovetails? I don't have any welding capability. I was hoping there was some kind of simple process like maybe soldering or just epoxy?
3) What kind of metal would be best for the plane sides and sole, given my interest in something that will be easy to work and still yield a good result; - steel, brass, aluminum? Is this something I can buy from McMaster Carr or another recommended supplier?
4) Do I have to use a hack saw or could it put some kind of a metal cutting blade on my 14 inch Delta bandsaw? If yes, what blade would you recommend?
5) I would like to use a metal "bridge" -- (I thinks that's the right term?), and a threaded screw with knurled knob-that threads through the top of the bridge and wedges the lower edge of the bridge against the blade to hold it in place. Is there any place I could find these components, or do I have to build them from scratch?
Thanks for your time and consideration. As I say, any suggestions/advice are greatly appreciated!
All the best, Mike