Thread: I'm going to regret this...

Ah yes, I have one of those too. I think of it as a block plane though. But as it is bevel down I guess strictly speaking it isn't one.

Those are the ones made of rosewood and "high" ebony.

Darren (silentC) reckons that they must only use the top branches of the trees.

Well,

Don't you love it when somebody gives you information and you do all the bookings and they turn around and change it all on you. As a result of some organisational genious I will not be going to Sydney, the dates now clash with the Melbourne WWW show and I have my own interests at stake.

However from the information from this thread I can safely assume that I should get the 7" smoother, the 4" smoother and the 1" rebate. I will be ringing Paul's this afternoon and getting said sent to me. Wheeeeeeee going down the slope.

Thanks all that replyed.

Himzo.

I don't think they have anymore of the rebate planes unless they got some more in.

Don't forget the 11" smoother. It's my favorite.

Himzol,

Sorry to hear the trip to Sydney didn't happen. Maybe see you in Melbourne.

Yep, no more rebates.

Got the guy there to go through the list of what he had and there were only four types left, so being the impulsive guy I am I ordered one of each. Hmmm lucky dip .

Woodborer,

I will definetly be in Melbourne, I will PM you next week when I know my travel details so that we can get together and possibly share a drop or two of SA red, before spending too much at the show .

Is there anything from South Oz that you would like braught over?

Himzo.

I often turn to the 11" smoother/jack/short try plane/whatever. It is a really great jack-of-all-trades. I'm not sure if the blade is set at 45 degrees (as some say) or 40 degrees (as I thought), but mine has a very tight mouth and is reasonably good on demanding grains. I don't recall when I last used a Stanley #4 .....

The 4" mini-smoother has a blade at 60 degrees. I use it as a high angle block plane, that is, in working (trimming or smoothing) small areas on tricky grains. Keep the blade really sharp and it will cut anything. My only negative with this plane is that the wedge is inclined to loosen. I need to make a new one, as I did for the 11".

If you can get hold of a 60 degree (or 63 degree as it really is) full-size smoother, then go for it! This particular plane (which I don't own since I have the HNT Gordon smoother) was what started the hysteria about Mujingfang planes. I recall someone mentioning these cheap planes and asking about their quality, oh some 12-18 months ago no. I had read really stunning reviews of the planes, which I cited here at that time, but not used them. I got a couple from Paul's and it was this that totally sold me on them. Amazing value for money. Point here being that the 60 degree smoother is, by reputation, an extremely good performer, up in the HNT Gordon class.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Derek,

I bought this Muji a couple of months ago. It's obviously a western style but it wasn't on that site that you posted on another thread.

I'm guessing that it's intended to be a smoother but would be interested to hear your take on it.

Cheers

Craig

Craig

That plane is styled in the traditional horned woodie style found in Europe and Scandanavia. I have a Graniet (Danish, I think) that I turned into a scrub (and very comfortable it is). These planes are still made by ECE, such as the ECE Primus (see http://www.mik.com.au/).

I don't see why your Mujingfang version shouldn't work well, but obviously it is not in the same tradition as their more familiar planes.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thanks Derek.

I find this plane much harder to adjust for fine shavings than the other types of Muji smoothers. This of course could be down to my technique.

Also, the blade in this plane is quite different to my other Muji's. It is in two parts brazed in the middle. I'm assuming that the cutting end is HSS and the top end just soft steel. It certainly took a long time to flatten and polish the back.

Also this plane does not have a chip breaker which means that the blade can fall out the bottom if the wedge is not securely fitted.
DAMHIK, lets just say I still have a scar on my little finger. :eek:

Actually it's true when they say that you don't feel the cuts from a REALLY sharp blade.

Craig

Originally Posted by derekcohen

I often turn to the 11" smoother/jack/short try plane/whatever. It is a really great jack-of-all-trades. I'm not sure if the blade is set at 45 degrees (as some say) or 40 degrees (as I thought), but mine has a very tight mouth and is reasonably good on demanding grains. I don't recall when I last used a Stanley #4 .....

The 4" mini-smoother has a blade at 60 degrees. I use it as a high angle block plane, that is, in working (trimming or smoothing) small areas on tricky grains. Keep the blade really sharp and it will cut anything. My only negative with this plane is that the wedge is inclined to loosen. I need to make a new one, as I did for the 11".

If you can get hold of a 60 degree (or 63 degree as it really is) full-size smoother, then go for it! This particular plane (which I don't own since I have the HNT Gordon smoother) was what started the hysteria about Mujingfang planes. I recall someone mentioning these cheap planes and asking about their quality, oh some 12-18 months ago no. I had read really stunning reviews of the planes, which I cited here at that time, but not used them. I got a couple from Paul's and it was this that totally sold me on them. Amazing value for money. Point here being that the 60 degree smoother is, by reputation, an extremely good performer, up in the HNT Gordon class.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Guys

If anyone hears about Pauls (or elsewhere) offering the high angle smoother for sale, perhaps they could post on the site, or PM me, as I have become a total fan, but can see the need for one, after comparing the little block with the standard on cranky grain. I would love an HNT, but cannot justify the premium, so hopefully some Muji's will turn up.

Alastair

Alastair,

It appears that they do exist. The Japan Woodworker site has some.

They call them polishing planes and they are in three sizes.

The blades are set at 63 degrees.

Here is the link:

http://www.thejapanwoodworker.com/de...?dept_id=11844

Not as cheap as Paul's but cheaper than Gordon's. Probably not in the same class though.


Craig

Thanks Craig

Seems crazy however to send them to the US, to bring them back here, when we have a guy doing them direct locally?

Maybe I will look in at Pauls and chat to the guy and find out if he ever gets them in .

Alastair

Alastair

The Mujingfang planes are not made locally. The USA prices are really keen, so-much-so that by the time you have bought one and paid shipping costs it will have cost you about 1/3 (or less) the price of the HNT Gordon! If you want to spend in that range, then don't hesitate to get it from The Japan Woodworker (USA), or indeed from Lee Valley (Canada), who also stock them.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Originally Posted by derekcohen

The Mujingfang planes are not made locally.

Derek,

I am well aware where the Muji planes are made. I just didn't explain that clearly in my post. I would still like to locate them locally, however, if they are brought into Australia.

Alastair