Thread: Questions about Block Planes?

Mr Brush,

Autographed copy... was you at a demo? That would be a day to remember.
I had a bit more of a look at David's book today, but still not a good look. I wont get much of a chance between now & when I get back I don't think, but this is going to be an interesting project to get my teeth into I think.

Hiroller,

Interesting link to some nice old books. There should be more of this stuff available I recon.



Steve

hiroller - thanks for posting that link, lots of interesting stuff there.

I just downloaded the Hayward book in pdf, which will be an interesting read just from flicking through it.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

Suitable blades can be obtained from HNT Gordon, Hock Tools, and several others.

Mr Gordon and Mr Hock have very different philosophical approaches when it comes to blades.

HNT Gordon blades are 6mm thick.

Hock Tool blades are 3/32 inches or 2.4 mm.



Fair Winds

Graeme

Not sure about that - I have a Hock blade for a wooden plane, and it is closer to 5mm:

HOCK TOOLS -- Krenov-style Plane Irons and Plans

3/16" = 4.76mm

I think David Finck resells the Hock blades as well.

The main difference between the HNT and Hock approach to wooden planes is that the Hock blade comes with a chipbreaker, while HNT doesn't use one. Terry's blades do make it easier to build a wooden plane though, as you don't need to cut out a slot from the ramp block to allow for the chipbreaker screw.

Happy plane making

Krenov in 'the fine art of Cabinetmaking' sets out how to make one of his planes - try your local library

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

Not sure about that - I have a Hock blade for a wooden plane, and it is closer to 5mm:

HOCK TOOLS -- Krenov-style Plane Irons and Plans

3/16" = 4.76mm

You are absolutely correct as regards his Krenov-style planes.

However, Hocks block plane blades and his bench plane blades are far thinner at 3/32".

HOCK TOOLS -- Block Plane Blades
HOCK TOOLS -- Bench Plane Blades



Fair Winds

Graeme

Hock blades are also available through Hock Plane Blades at The Best Things
He does thicker parallel blades for infill planes, but they aren't shown in his catalogue for some reason. The best things must have an exclusive arrangement with him.
I have a thinner one in a Stanley No.5 and I like it.

If the aim is to make a block plane, you do not require a double iron (i.e. blade and chip breaker). It is more expense and extra work when setting up.

I mentioned the following earlier, which appear to have been skipped over ...

You can purchase excellent Mujingfang blades at Lee Valley - perfect for a wooden block plane. They are 1 1/4" wide and 1/8" thick (essentially the same size blade as in the HNT Gordon mini smoother), and the cost is $7.40 USD. Link: Hong Kong-Style Planes - Lee Valley Tools

That's about 1/6 the price of a Hock, if purchased overseas (and 1/10 if purchased locally).

Secondly, there are blow-by-blow pictorial instructions on building a wooden Krenov plane on my website. Just set the bed at 40 degrees (the one illustrated is at 55 degrees): http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMad...vSmoother.html

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

If the aim is to make a block plane, you do not require a double iron (i.e. blade and chip breaker). It is more expense and extra work when setting up.

I mentioned the following earlier, which appear to have been skipped over ...

You can purchase excellent Mujingfang blades at Lee Valley - perfect for a wooden block plane. They are 1 1/4" wide and 1/8" thick (essentially the same size blade as in the HNT Gordon mini smoother), and the cost is $7.40 USD. Link: Hong Kong-Style Planes - Lee Valley Tools

That's about 1/6 the price of a Hock, if purchased overseas (and 1/10 if purchased locally).

Secondly, there are blow-by-blow pictorial instructions on building a wooden Krenov plane on my website. Just set the bed at 40 degrees (the one illustrated is at 55 degrees): http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMad...vSmoother.html

Regards from Perth

Derek

I unfortunately can't remember where I read the review, but someone tested various plane blades a few years ago, microscope pics etc., and the reviewer's conclusion was that the Mujingfang blade was the sharpest blade tested out of the box. Other planes in the test were from Lie Nielsen and Lee valley. I like mine very muck.

Originally Posted by hiroller

You can also find some interesting references here:
Library - How To Make Things - Toolemera.com

This includes a PDF copy of one of HOW TO MAKE WOODWORK TOOLS by Charles Hayward. c1945.There are also copies of the Work Magazine articles on pane making which were interestingly posted 4 years prior to them being posted by TFWW last year.
Definitely worth a look.

I just realised that the pdf of haywards book is from a copy soldd at Alberts (I miss them) in Perth

The good stuff just moves around

Neil