Thread: Infill Plane Started

Originally Posted by Tink

I've made a start on a small infill plane to replace the one I made close to 10 years ago. http://licensed2tinker.yolasite.com/blog.php Hopefully I've learned something since then and can improve the finish. No complaints about my existing one, it has worked well. I have roughed out the side plates and cut the steel infill parts from a flat bar and squared them up with file and lapping plate. I have taken Peter's advice and drilled lots of pin holes. (skew shoulder plane)

Tink,
not letting grass grow underfoot
Keep the reports coming.
Regards,
Peter

Hi Tink,

Congratulations, I look forward to following your progress.

Regards
Ray

Like I always say, make hay while the iron is hot, or something like that. But seriously one of the benefits of this type of project for me is that I can get out in the garage any time of the day or night and file or saw by hand without annoying the neighbours. I did a bit more filing this morning before work but might have to wait a while before I will get a chance to peen pins.

I have basically used one bolt to sandwich the assembly together and noticed some movement during the drilling process. Other than using more clamping bolts what sugestions are there to improve the setup. Also how would you apply pressure to the assy whilst peening the pins?

http://licensed2tinker.yolasite.com/

Originally Posted by Tink

Like I always say, make hay while the iron is hot, or something like that. But seriously one of the benefits of this type of project for me is that I can get out in the garage any time of the day or night and file or saw by hand without annoying the neighbours. I did a bit more filing this morning before work but might have to wait a while before I will get a chance to peen pins.

I have basically used one bolt to sandwich the assembly together and noticed some movement during the drilling process. Other than using more clamping bolts what sugestions are there to improve the setup. Also how would you apply pressure to the assy whilst peening the pins?

http://licensed2tinker.yolasite.com/

Tink,
you will see in the pictures on my webpage a couple of pins sitting next to the pair of sides. I used them to locate the assembly during drilling, and with a couple of small "G" clamps they were able to hold the assembly in alignment quite well. Same as below in the pictures of a bench plane I am making. On the small one I dropped the pins in then clamped over the top of them so they wouldn't fall out, I also pre-pien one end so they won't fall out on the floor all the time.
On my plane I drilled the two sides first, then inserted the base and pre-drilled from each side a couple of mm into the base, then had it out and drilled through the holes in the base.
My base was in two pieces, I cut the mouth angle, and then closed the gap whilst drilling, so I could later open the mouth in front of the blade. I've had the mouth get away from me in the past, ending up wider than I wanted.
Once drilled I then cut the sides out, and finished the base under the blade, and most of the base in the front of the blade, but left the throat closed so I could open it up from the front later.
When piening, I cut a slight counter sink inside the holes then I put the end two pins in with one end of the pin pre-piened and just sit that side flat on a piece of steel then gently tap it down with a ball pien hammer on the top, and it snugs up nicely, then insert the rest of the pins from the back and work along the line.
Watch out for any slight blow-out on the holes between the sides and the base, as the metal may swell a little when drilled. I cut a slight countersink in the mating holes there as well, to make certain I don't get a small gap between the sides and base.
You could also use the same little "G" clamps as before, and partly pien the pins at the ends first, then do the same for the rest, then finish them all off ready to file them down. I did have some off cuts of the base as spacers to keep the whole lot parallel while piening.

That plane went so fast in the making I don't have many pictures of the steps.
If you don't have any of the little "G" clamps....I have a ton of them.

Regards,
Peter

Hello Tink
Way to go, I to am looking at trying my hand at making a infill plane. Look forward to following your progress.
Cheers Gerry

Riveted & roughly filed.

I've had a few spare moments this week and have made some progress on the plane. After riveting the plates I have roughed out the shape, cut the jarrah infill and beveled the edges. The plane is very comfortable in the hand and is a big improvement on the last one. The next job is to fabricate a clamping mechanism.

http://licensed2tinker.yolasite.com/blog.php

Hi Tink,
Great little plane. I would like to have a go at one someday so have watched this thread with intrest. I like the rivet method as it would be easier than dovetails for a first timer. I have a question or two. Does the top infill have pins through it? How big a plane can be made with the rivet method?
Regards
John

Originally Posted by orraloon

Hi Tink,
Great little plane. I would like to have a go at one someday so have watched this thread with intrest. I like the rivet method as it would be easier than dovetails for a first timer. I have a question or two. Does the top infill have pins through it? How big a plane can be made with the rivet method?
Regards
John

Hi John,
I am planning to pin the wood infill but at this stage I'm not sure how. I am thinking it might be best to drill a clearance hole in the timber and use a steel spacer to support the plates during the peening process. Alternatively I might risk riveting straight through the timber.

I think the construction method would be limited to smaller planes. It would be difficult to drill a 2.5mm hole through a 50 or 60mm piece of steel. Also you would need a reasonably thick sole plate which would add a lot of weight. I have seen photos of some of the Holtley planes which have a thick sole plate and a brass tapered screw which holds the side plates on so it might be possible to rivet a larger plane.

Originally Posted by Tink

Hi John,
I am planning to pin the wood infill but at this stage I'm not sure how. I am thinking it might be best to drill a clearance hole in the timber and use a steel spacer to support the plates during the peening process. Alternatively I might risk riveting straight through the timber.

Hi Tink - coming along nicely.

I believe 'good' infil planes have metal spacers in the woodwork in case the wood shrinks. I was considering how I'd do that with this little "hybrid" (just a 'woodie' with bras sides) but after reading about someone else's build where they left them out, I decided to give it a try too. It was really just a prototype to see if the concept would work. It's been nearly a year since Ifinished it, & we've been through several big moisture swings in that time but the rivets have held nicely so far....

Your plane has such a solid frame with that thick sole & number of rivets, it probably wouldn't matter if the rivets through the infil did loosen a bit - the sides will stay parallel because of the wedge retainer.

Hurry up, we are waiting for the shavings!
Cheers,

After fabricating the clamping mechanism and finishing the bulk of the filing I fitted the the blade, which is a modified 25mm paring chisel, and away I went. There is still a lot of fine tuning required but so far so good.

http://licensed2tinker.yolasite.com/blog.php

Tink,
Just great.
The first shaving must be a special moment.
Regards
John