[OP]
Member
Waiting for me on my doorstep. You really have to try one to know how well they work.
One more of the first shavings, this time a glamor shot. The plane is straight out of the box. All I did was put the iron in and sight down the sole to check projection. It blows me away.
ken
Moderator
That is a pretty plane Ken. I just got a similar one from David weaver and can appreciate how this must feel. Have fun!!!!
Contributor
Nice! Welcome aboard, I love being a member of the spoiled rotten try plane owners group
Bumbling forward into the unknown.
Member
Very neat work on that plane!! I like the large 18th. C. style bevels. But,your iron is a late 19th. C. style. I'd grind the top into a round shape,and make the top of the wedge match if you want a real 100% 18th. C. plane. That can be done even if you don't make the irons. My LEAST FAVORITE edge treatments are those barely rounded corners as seen on late 19th. C. work,usually on American made planes. In fact,I don't like those AT ALL! They reek of having no determination. I can't think of the right words. They just look so non committal.
My sculpture teacher would have said that if you're going to make bevels,MAKE THEM! Don't be indecisive about them. The general population of craftsmen in the 18th. C. just knew more about the arts than the later ones. Knowledge of real art just dribbled away into those horrid ginger bread Victorian houses,where they tossed in every kind of decoration they could dredge up. Unrelated stuff jumbled together sez me.
Last edited by george wilson; 05-03-2016 at 9:00 AM.
Member
The architectural pinnacle of "unrelated stuff jumbled together"... not surprisingly, with roots in and the most robust examples from the Victorian Era.Originally Posted by george wilson
Regarding the plane, it seems to me that some sculpting of the forward portion might serve one well, both to lighten the plane a bit, but also to give a more natural handhold. "Some". However, not having used a wooden try plane, or any wooden plane (other than an abominable SlickPlane), I recognize that the gap between "seems" and practical can be pretty big.
It came to pass...
"Curiosity is the ultimate power tool." - Roy Underhill
The road IS the destination.
Member
I've never played a clarinet, or even held one, though I do have plenty of musical experience. But after reading your post, I feel totally qualified to tell clarinet makers how they can improve upon the traditional design that has worked for almost two centuries. I'm going to go find a clarinet makers' forum and type in lots of great suggestions, right now! I bet those guys will really appreciate my brilliant ideas! Thanks!
"For me, chairs and chairmaking are a means to an end. My real goal is to spend my days in a quiet, dustless shop doing hand work on an object that is beautiful, useful and fun to make." --Peter Galbert
[OP]
Member
I scrubbed a couple of replies before you beat me to it.
ken
Moderator
John,
I can see how you might think that. I am a new try plane user so I'll be careful not to talk out of school, but I had a similar concern about the ergonomics.
My instinct was to put my thumb on the opposite side of the plane and have my fingers grabbing the near side. In that case, the grip felt wide. But on the counsel of a couple experienced users, I was told, 'just lay your hand across naturally". From pictures (I believe even Steve showed me some) I saw putting my fingers over the top created a very comfortable grip. Unlike the first way, this way does not make me want to squeeze the sides of the plane. I suspect it's because fingers and thumb on the same side mean you kind of have to rely on the friction of vertical, even pressure to make it work.
In fact, I now really like the grip.
Anyway, I find the plane requires quite little effort to push - and the force seems to come from the rear handle. The left hand is almost just along for the ride, and trying not to screw things up. I'll revise this post in a few years when I really learn how to use this thing properly.
Last edited by Prashun Patel; 05-05-2016 at 3:29 PM.
[OP]
Member
John,
What Prashun said.
I've made and used Krenov style planes, both the "organic" looking ones and just a plain block of wood ones. In day to day use the plain block of wood plane fits better in the hand than the shaped plane.
Here is a photo of some of my shop made planes, ones I use often. That said, the planes from Steve are an order of magnitude better to use. The guys back in the 18th and 19th C. knew what they were doing.
If you have not used a woodie, seek out one or make one to try. Making one is a nice little afternoon project and very easy to do (Krenov style, classic style not so much) at not much cost. Either way you may find the feel of a wood stock plane on wood to be one of woodworking's great pleasures.
Last edited by ken hatch; 05-05-2016 at 4:56 PM.
Member
Sweet plane! I bought an old one that size on eBay, 24" long with a 2-3/8 double iron. Used it a couple days ago to true one face of the cherry boards I bought for a project, before running them through the (I know it's scandalous) power planer.
Great heft, great feel. I really enjoyed David Warner's videos showing the making of one.
What is the little nub sticking out one side?
Contributor
LOL!I bet those guys will really appreciate my brilliant ideas! Thanks!
Maybe we should plane a thousand board feet before we come up with ideas on improving what has been working for centuries.
Another thought is how much extra will someone pay for a 'hood ornament' on a plane?
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
[OP]
Member
Gene,
As I posted it was fresh out of the box and still had some static cling, it's just a shaving. From the color of it I expect it was one of the shavings the plane was packed with. Which BTW, I think is a nice touch.
Congrats on finding a nice one in the wild.
ken
Last edited by ken hatch; 05-05-2016 at 10:43 PM.
[OP]
Member
Jim,
Some of my German woodies come with a "hood ornament", hummm wonder if I'm paying extra for it.
ken
Contributor
Is that an ornamentation or is it a handle?
Weren't some of those made so the plane could be used easier in a pull mode?
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Member
Hans Moennig taught me how to use hide glue in 1966. A few years earlier he had redesigned the barrel of the clarinet for better sound and pitch. Moennig barrels are still sold today, and yes, they are discussed on clarinet forums.
Last edited by Warren Mickley; 05-05-2016 at 7:36 PM.
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