The second edition of my metal plane-making 'manual' is done

**IanW** · 28th June 2023, 09:34 AM

The "second edition" (actually, more like the 10th, I reckon I've been over it at least that many times), of my manual is done & the editor of AWR has kindly offered to host it on their website, which is much more satisfactory than emailing. So you can go here & download whatever bits you want. No charges, no obligations, it's free to air......

I hope this version is an improvement on the original, which was a bit all-over-the place. I've tried to make it more organised & a little more concise, but still with enough information to help a raw beginner start from scratch & produce a working plane or two. The emphasis is still on hand work, I really want to make the point that you don't need elaborate gear to do this work, all it takes is a bit of patience & persistence. But of course if you have a shed-full of appropriate machines, there is no point in not using them!

The downloads are available as separate chapters (they thought a single 20Gb file was too much for their server??), and unfortunately, it doesn't say what's in each chapter in the links so in case you only want to look at a particular subject, here is what's in them:
Chap. 1 - Tools & materials
Chap. 2 - Laminated rebate/shoulder planes
Chap. 3 - Metal dovetailing & infill bench planes
Chap. 4 - Lever caps, cap-irons, thumb screws & screw adjusters
Chap. 5 - Split soles, “chariot” planes, a “box mitre” plane, and more on skewed blades
Chap. 6 - Scale drawings for various sizes & types of the planes described

I accept full responsibility for errors & omissions, just let me know if you spot anything that you think is way off the mark. I might be able to do minor corrections, but anything major will have to wait for the next edition (which I don't think is going to happen in what's left of my lifetime!).

Cheers,
Ian

**NCArcher** · 28th June 2023, 10:54 AM

Downloaded and saved. Thanks Ian.

**Mountain Ash** · 28th June 2023, 11:41 AM

Thanks for sharing so willingly.

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**Simplicity** · 28th June 2023, 11:50 AM

That Man(Ian) is good one,

Thanks Ian, I can only imagining the time an energy given too such a task,for such a unique hobby.
To my self an I suspect many others it will become the “Bible”.
Thank you,Matt

Let the filing begin [emoji39].

**Bushmiller** · 28th June 2023, 01:56 PM

Ian

Just got to love this sharing thing.

Thank you.

Regards
Paul

**tony_A** · 28th June 2023, 02:35 PM

Thanks Ian. I appreciate the effort you have put into this resource. Now its up to us to repay that effort with a few new planes.

**AnthonySeiver** · 28th June 2023, 03:54 PM

Thanks Ian this will be great a resource and reference material for future projects (where the only thing I have toward it is aspiration).

**orraloon** · 28th June 2023, 05:13 PM

Thanks Ian. Some nice fireside reading is just the thing this time of year. Who knows I may get inspired.
Regards
John

**IanW** · 28th June 2023, 07:11 PM

Well, it will be well worth the time I put into it if encourages anyone who hasn't yet tried to make a plane to give it a whirl, & even better if you find the 'manual' helpful. The main thing is to plunge in & give it a go - it'll turn out fine - if a worn-out old codger like me can make a decent plane, I reckon anyone can.

I've been using a few of my planes over the last couple of days, making a new desk for LOML and I know it's unseemly to brag, but gee, a couple of my last few efforts have turned out to be a real pleasure to work with! The desk top is jacaranda ('cos I had a stash that needed using up before the borers beat me to it), which is a cow of a wood to plane, full of swirls and little defects that tore out when I put it through the thicknesser so there was a LOT of hand-planing required. I used my workhorse Stanleys for the grunt work: Stanleys.jpg

And switched to a trio of my own for the final polishing: Wilkuts.jpg

The little one in the foreground is really handy for dealing with small patches that the longer soles can't get at easily. It's the smallest plane I've made so far with a double iron and handles the worst grain with amazing aplomb.

Hmmm, that sounds like a bit of a drive-by gloat, but it's more to point out that making your own tools gets you things that you just can't buy.......

So get stuck in,
Cheers,

**delbs** · 28th June 2023, 07:24 PM

After being one of the woodworkers to have spent time emailing with you asking how to source specific components I really appreciate this guide and your time that you’ve invested in helping others.

If you have a Patreon link or accept any other forms of donations for the books I’m sure you’d receive some support

I still have the plane components I bought from you but significant time has passed since then so a how-to is exactly what’s needed to get started again.

Thanks so much Ian

Cheers
Nathan

**rwbuild** · 28th June 2023, 07:38 PM

Thank you Ian, have downloaded and will attempt my first one, fingers crossed.....

**labr@** · 28th June 2023, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by IanW

... wait for the next edition (which I don't think is going to happen ...

That sounds a bit like saying you won't be making any more planes

.

Thanks for all that effort Ian, it's knowledge worth passing on.

**Cklett** · 28th June 2023, 09:43 PM

Thanks. Already downloaded. Reminds me I need to get going on small one for my niece. But for now I have a bigger fish to fry first. Too many ideas/projects and too little time...

I do like Jacaranda. That will be a nice desk for sure.

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**Bushmiller** · 28th June 2023, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by IanW

Wilkuts.jpg

The little one in the foreground is really handy for dealing with small patches that the longer soles can't get at easily. It's the smallest plane I've made so far with a double iron and handles the worst grain with amazing aplomb.

Hmmm, that sounds like a bit of a drive-by gloat, but it's more to point out that making your own tools gets you things that you just can't buy.......

So get stuck in,
Cheers,

Ian

That sounds a little like one of those commercials: "Your very own plane - priceless, but for everything else use mistress card (quite for what I don't know

)

Regards
Paul

PS: Have downloaded all six documents, but not read them yet. I have no doubt they are superb: Such is my confidence.

**twosheds** · 29th June 2023, 10:06 AM

Thank you very much Ian. Good reading and full of the right info.
Regards
Twosheds

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