Thread: Shop made shoulder plane

Can't give you any definitive answers, as I'm only an amateur myself, but I'm making one right now.

I decided to do it myself as I'm really keen on trying planemaking, but really, I think I could have bought a brand new HNT Gordon for the materials cost and the amount of effort involved in the self-build. But then, how much is your time worth if you get a "discount plane" that you've had total quality control powers over? I dunno! I will post it as a WIP if I can borrow a camera from TAFE.

Basically it cost me $140, but only because I bought some brass so I can have contrasting dovetails. And also because I bought a new HNT Gordon 1-1/4" blade, which was $50 or thereabouts. I think it would have been much, much cheaper with all steel, a salvaged blade, and especially if you don't care what it looks like. I'd say you could get a seriously fantastically functional plane that looks like cr*p for peanuts if you made it yourself ... Basically it all comes down to how much time you have to do it, and how much skill you have to make it. The value of the plane depends on your skills, ulitmately. And how well it functions! But I think you can do anything if you really want to, so have a go!

Good feedback Red Raven, will be interested in how your plane performs.

If you make a metal body plane and you don't have the tools or scrap material then it may be (will be) more expensive than going the hnt gordon route as suggested. Its the set up cost that will get you.

If you make a wooden body one using the krenov method, and have a reasonable range of wood tools and skills, then it will be very much cheaper.

For fear of setting off another flaming threadd... its just a matter of:

Take a rectangle of jointed wood, the size of a shoulder plane, drill dowel locating holes on the sides (4 should do). Drill the wedge pin holes. Cut the sides off. Cut the bed angle. Cut the front of the throat angle. Put it all back together as a dry fit, using the dowel locating holes and clamps.
Cut the sides 'as for a shoulder plane' so the blade can protrude across the sides, a coping saw will do it.
Shape the blade from an old woodie (thick blade), or from a bench plane. A bench plane 'thin blade' will need a chipbreaker.(the need for a chip breaker adds a complication of requiring a 'longer wedge for a 'flat chip breaker', or a longer and funny shaped wedge for a 'bowed chip breaker') - strong suggestion is that you cut down an old thick woodie blade so you don't need a chipbreaker... or ask a favour of a backyard blacksmith to flatten and heat treat some leaf spring material for the blade)
Thin cut off wheel in an angle grinder and light cuts to control heating will be fine. (ahhh ... cost... can you beg a favour on the forum if you don't have an angle grinder?)
fiddle and 'fit'.
Glue it all together.. using the dowel locating holes to line it all up.
Fit the wedge pin, cut the wedge. Test. Be happy. If you have a think first, and have a jointer and table/band saw it will only take a few hours on a Saturday morning (most time will be taken up by shaping the blade)... using hand tools only will not really add too much time if you can use them decently.

I am expecting flames over this... ...thinking back to the last time I started a similiar 'thread'.

Tiger - there are, as you see, several ways to make a shoulder plane, and any can do a good job. All can work well if done carefully. I prefer all-metal because a shoulder plane works better if it has a bit of heft (in my hands). The first one I made (1/8" brass sides silver-soldered to a base) worked well enough. The second was a bit more elaborate, with partly dovetailed sides, & worked better because I was more careful to get everything perfectly flat & square. I plan to make a 3rd someday, but the one I have has served me well for 25 years or more, so I'm not in a desperate hurry - there are a few other jobs ahead of it . You are right in that they are not a plane you use every day, but if you make a decent one, you'll be surprised at how many jobs you'll find for it.

Making ANY plane is a worthwhile effort for an amateur. Even if it's a dead flop, as my first attempt was, you still learn heaps about what goes into a plane & what's really important to make them work well. If your first attempt isn't all that great, don't be discouraged, take it as a challenge to get the next one better....

Good luck,

Hi Tiger, have you thought about trying EBay. Sometimes you can pick up a good bargain, especially if your not going to have a lot of use for it, or don't want to spend a lot of money. On the other hand, having made a few planes of my own, (block, smoothing, jointer.) it is something I would encourage others to try.. Either way good luck!

Thanks guys, Clinton you make it sound so easy, it sounds doable. Only thing I didn't want to spend hours of time and then find out that a home made shoulder plane wasn't up to the task and then have to go out and buy one anyway.

I don't think anything that you learn from is ever a waste of time!

I'm a beginner too so can't add much, but the few shop made tools I've done, though rough, were well worth the effort. Remember that a lot of fantastic pieces of work were done without cryogenicly treated A2 or whatever tools. Think to the humblest shop tool you could make, something like a mallet (yes, the head of the one I've been planning finally got cut and glued up tonight!!) or a scratch stock. Simple and they work. Why not give it a go. For the cost of a piece of scrap hardwood and a spare blade it probably can't hurt!

Both the shoulder planes I've made have mouths that are a bit too small and don't allow for easy shaving escape. Next time I would open up the mouths a bit more



I use old files for blades - they work really well as long as they are detempered a little.

I still use them but I have to stop and clear shavings more often than I would like.

As Andrew says I learned a lot by making them and not just about making shoulder planes.

soooo.... whats your plan Tiger, make or buy?

Tiger,

One of my favourite threads was created back in November 2005 by Aaron. He had a great tutorial on how he made a shoulder plane. I think he may have also put a subsequent thread on after he had another attempt, just search around and you should find it.

https://www.woodworkforums.com/f40/me...-family-24082/

Hope this helps. I have to admit that i haven't made my own shoulder plane, always been very happy with the HNT Gordon shoulder plane I own. I thoroughly reccommend them, they are excellent value and made right here.

Regards,

Anthony

Lovely planes Bob, and Anthony Aaron's planes are very nice thanks for the links.

Clinton, not sure what I 'm going to do yet as regards to buying/making but I'm falling in love with planes at the moment and would dearly love to get a plough/rebate plane and that would be a lot more difficult to make than a shoulder plane so probably make a shoulder plane, just need a suitable blade.