Thread: Wooden spokeshave

If you get the opportunity I can recommend a visit to Terry Gordon's stand at the wood shows. he will demonstrate his spokeshaves and show why they are superior (or more user friendly) to others. You can read about stuff but nothing beats hands on and trying for yourself.

Carry Pine

I think it is Veritas who have the kits, could be others.

Scoots, if you intend to use it rather than admire it, I wouldn't bother. I have one and its a PITA to use, adjust and sharpen. I also have a few metal ones, and whilst I generally prefer to use the old, character tools, I always end up putting back the wooden SS and picking up a modern one.

They do look nice tho.

Might be worth contacting the Traditional Tools Users Group, as they sell pre-fettled planes, spokeshaves etc. at the Sydney WW shows.

I've currently got a Veritas kit (with the adjustable threaded posts, thanks LumberBunker!) sitting in my garage waiting to be turned into a spokeshave.

Cheers,
Andrew

Hi Sean

Have you tried the LV LA spokeshave?

This is essentially your wooden spokeshave in a modern, durable disguise - but much, much better - great blade, easy adjustment, and switch from straight to rounded profile.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Gday all, thanks for reading & replying.

I fancied the LV LA item a while back, should have snapped up that one in buy & sell a little while ago. Bit exxy for me new, supposed to be a fine tool though.

Will have a look around at the drool this w/e, might grab one if cheap enough even just for a fiddle with.

Have seen HNT Gordon's, once again v nice but too exxy for this cheapskate black duck

Thanks for the info everyone.


Cheers...................Sean

I have two of these - they're around the half-century age bracket I think. If I restore them it probably won't be for any woodwork, just ornamental value. They look like a bugger to adjust compared with the modern metal version with screws. Instead, the extremely thin blades on these are attached to two tapered prongs (my description anyway) that you seemingly tap with a hammer for adjustment. Unfortunately the holes in the wooden handle on one are slightly cracked through heavy use long ago.

I don't have a Veritas LA woody spokeshave, but I did blantantly copy it for my own use.

Only things I changed were to peen the posts to the blade (mistake) and used 8mm bolts in the body instead of knurled screws (genius).

Great little thing, and I know the 'proper' version will be even nicer than my half baked thing, if a little more finicky to adjust (since mine adjusts with a 13mm ring spanner, making poofteenths too easy).

Another point is that it's not too difficult to make yourself, if you are so inclined. I am not going to tell you how (patent!), but I can tell you it's doable and very easy.

I'd also have to highly recommend getting a kit as it will make an easy thing even more so.

Thanks Schtoo for the tease

I'll have a fiddle with one if I can find a cheapy or two, and maybe have a crack at making a body to suit a blade.


Cheers..................Sean

Scooter,

I understand that with the non-adjustable shaves, they were often set with the blade skewed (ie: larger gap at one side than the other).
Rather than trying to get the gap even all the way across, AND the correct size, the user would move the shave so that they used the "sweet spot" on the blade where the gap happened to be right for the task.
So, when you're fiddling, don't spend too much time trying to get an old-un "just right".

Cheers,
Andrew

Hi Scooter,
Here's a good link to making one from scratch: http://www.shavings.net/TEACHSHAVE.HTM
I've made a couple based on this site, and they work fine, in fact one of them works better than either my traditional old woody or the Stanley metal body, and I reach for it in preference. Making a nicely shaped body is a really enjoyable exercise in shaping/carving. Here's my version http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ght=spokeshave if you're interested.
I can't speculate on any of the newer versions, like the LV or Terry Gordon's, but I am more impressed with the trad type than the metal body one, simply because of the blade angle. The woody has a slicing action, the Stanley seems more like a scraper, but I am exaggerating a bit. The adjustment of the woody can be a bit hit and miss, but the square holes need to fit firmly (ie. no splits) but I don't know how you'd go about repairing a sloppy fit...epoxy? I agree with Andrew's post, about a skewed setting.
I say try and find a good condition secondhand woody, shouldn't have to pay more than $20!

Cheers,

Andy those ones you made are pretty similar to one I bought several years back... which was fairly old (no idea) well used and blunt as old larrys earhole... so steadily over the years Ive gradually found time and inclination to sharpen it and play around with it... I have another all metal one again old and a tad tired but not bad to use... the wood one I use constantly now... funny I bought a newer one last year but tend to put it away and use the old wooden one more often than not

I also have a very old block plane that I will pick up and use more often than the newer one I bought at the woodshow a couple of years back... theres something about old tools that just urges one to use them eh!

Sean,

You might find this article helpful - not only if you want to make a whole new body for an existing shave but it also has some tips on dealing with wear.

Wooden and metal shaves are really quite different animals; it's worth having both because one or other will tend to excel at certain tasks that its counterpart can't touch. Well that's my excuse anyway...

Cheers, Alf

Just brought me a Veritas flat spokeshave from the Adel WWWshow, works a treat... curved spoker on order!