Thread: Has anyone ever made a wooden hand plane... by hand?

Everything could be done by hand. If you're not really skilled/used to you'll only have the risk to be slower.
I'm not so skilled in using hand tools, but they're the only I have, so no chance to speed up the work

but I've made a couple of planes only using the dark side tools, and they're effective.

for the planes'bed I used a trim saw, and then flattened by the use of a block plane and a file/rasp.

not so bad, for me. Hand tools to create hand tools, what to ask for more??

I've made Japanese plane bodies (dai) by hand, using chisels and saws. If you're using a western style blade getting the bed flat shouldn't be to much trouble using glass and sandpaper after cutting it with a saw. -Howard

WoW Orsomagno thats some nice planes!
How did you manage to get the nob/handle on the bottom pic plane in such a nice shape?

Wow!

Where did you find the designs for those planes? Or, did you design them yourself? I've never made one before, so I'd prefer to work from a tested design before I start experimenting with my own.

What's the timber?

Another question. Is it possible to create the equivalent of a low-angle block plane out of timber? Or would the small angle required for the rear of the mouth be too fragile?

Originally Posted by snafuspyramid

............Another question. Is it possible to create the equivalent of a low-angle block plane out of timber? Or would the small angle required for the rear of the mouth be too fragile?

I think you answered your own question, Eddie. I wouldn't try anything less than a 25 degree bed in wood (not that I've actually tried anything less than 45 for a wood bed). The wedge of wood supporting the end of the blade would be pretty flexible - I think low angle planes had to wait until metal came along.
I have done a 12 degree bed shoulder plane with brass, which I was a bit dubious about, but it was one of my early attempts, & I though brass would be a heck of a lot easier to work with than steel (which isn't all that bad, as I found out subsequently). Anyway, the brass sole has worked well enough for close to 30 years, so I guess it is ok.

As to making planes with hand tools only - how do you reckon they were made to begin with?

For most parts you cut out with a machine, you end up refining them with hand tools. I don't know what the minimum tool kit required, would be, but you could get away with little more than a hand saw, chisel and a good flat file to refine the bed. A decent plane would be a nice help, but once you get one to work, it will be very handy for #2.

The 3-piece system may seem easier, but in fact, it may be less challenging to make a solid plane rather than the modern "Krenov" style with hand tools (yeah, I know, Jim didn't invent the method, but he made it popular!). Just take your time chopping out the bed & wedge retainer slots. A sharp chisel & shallow cuts removes wood pretty quickly. You can find instructions on how to do it on the web.....

Cheers,

As Ian writes, a one-piece is another way.

For a four-piece construction (2 outsides and 2 insides), there is certainly no reason why you cannot do it all by hand.

1. Re-saw the outer pieces from the centre, then joint with handplanes and check that they go together cleanly.

2. Mark and saw the bed and escapement angles. The escapement does not need to be square, but the bed does. Use sandpaper to do this ...









Article: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMad...JackPlane.html


I am not mad about the pin in the Krenov plane as it can interfere with shavings. You can add cheeks afterwards. I have an article on a plane I modified ..

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMad...ToAKrenov.html



Regards from Perth

Derek

Charles Hayward wrote a book, 'how to make woodwork tools' covering everything from the bench to planes. you should be able to download it from the web in pdf format or if you can't find it, I can email a copy.
Cheers,
Jim

Here 'tis:
http://www.toolemera.com/bkpdf/haywardhowtobk.pdf

Cheerio,
Virg.

Fantastic, many thanks for the link. Looks quite challenging, but I've got plenty of time.

Incidentally, can anyone recommend a suitable timber for making such a plane? I'm not interested in the look of the thing, so exotic woods are probably out. Are there any reasonably priced Aussie hardwoods that will do the job?

As I mentioned, I'm planning to use ironbark. But, I've found it difficult to find a piece with the right size and grain profile, so I might abandon that idea.

Spotted gum

Originally Posted by snafuspyramid

Incidentally, can anyone recommend a suitable timber for making such a plane? I'm not interested in the look of the thing, so exotic woods are probably out. Are there any reasonably priced Aussie hardwoods that will do the job?

the traditional planemaker's wood -- European Beech

because you need so little, the price should be inconsequential -- what you're really interested in is the wood's dimensional stability.

Originally Posted by snafuspyramid

Fantastic, many thanks for the link. Looks quite challenging, but I've got plenty of time.

Incidentally, can anyone recommend a suitable timber for making such a plane? I'm not interested in the look of the thing, so exotic woods are probably out. Are there any reasonably priced Aussie hardwoods that will do the job?

As I mentioned, I'm planning to use ironbark. But, I've found it difficult to find a piece with the right size and grain profile, so I might abandon that idea.

Here is one that I made out of Brigalow which has worked out very well. Not all the work was done by hand, but the texturing around the heel was hand carved, & all the planing including the bed was hand planed.
I would suggest making a small plane first as this will only need a small piece of wood which can be sourced easier, and it will be a good learning project. I have a Block plane I made with a standard 45 degree bed, 1 1/4" Hock blade, body out of Kwila, with a brush box sole, & I use this a lot. I intend to make another with a bed at around 35 degrees.

Regards

Did this with a 4mm chisel a japanese hand saw and a 4" mujingfang plane. No square and no power tools. Made from jam timber sourced from a tree in the camp (mining).
The desing in as per a chinese plane but with a bit higher angle.
I finished it at home with sandpaper and a coat of tung oil

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

Spotted gum

I love and hate it at the same time - it's a beast to work but tough as anything!

I've got an in progress that's maple, with maple cheeks bought 30 years after the body piece. Working all by hand so far, though I might get lazy and do the major cuts with a dropsaw. I've also seen a few that go for contrast, light wood for body and dark cheeks, which looked quite nice. Means you don't have to saw it all from a single piece too.

As for the mouth, I've seen brass used to make it stronger and so you might have a chance at a low angle using it.