Thread: Infill planes

Well said Peter and IanW, you have summed it up perfectly..

I count myself lucky to have the time and inclination to make a few tools, the satisfaction and fun to be had from using saws and planes that you made yourself is not to be underestimated. The level of skill and expertise available on this forum (Hi Peter ) should allow anyone with the inclination to make an infill smoother that is the equal of anything available commercially.

I spent most of Easter making some cabinets for my wife's new quilting workshop with the help of my two sons. We had a very relaxing and enjoyable few days. The table saw got a pretty good workout on the sheet goods, but the handtools really shine when it comes to fit and finish and the joinery. I can't think of a better way to spend a few days..

You don't need to pay huge sums of money to enjoy woodworking.

Regards
Ray

Originally Posted by lightwood

Eldanos,
Thanks for that.
Brass can be got from George White here in Melbourne. I use Cartridge brass # 260 for the sides and extruded brass # 360 or # 380 for the lever and screw. I use mild steel for my bases, but some others use gauged O1 steel.
If you were to ask, you might find a forum member who has some surplus brass they could let you have.
I suggest you start small, the learning curve is steep, you will get faster results and will make a useful and pretty tool, an heirloom perhaps.
Regards,
Peter

Cheers Peter.
I just made my first steps to getting material, and went to the scrap yard. I got some 3mm Brass, but only 50mm angle stuff, which I could cut down to sides of 47mm in height, but I think I need it higher, because I want to make my first plane a No 5 size plane with a york pitch. I also have a cool idea for a method of lateral and depth adjustment! I can't start small mate, I'll try Large, do a ###### job, then start again at small That's how I do everything Also got a bit of steel for the bottom. Thanks for the kind words

Originally Posted by Eldanos of KDM

Cheers Peter.
I just made my first steps to getting material, and went to the scrap yard. I got some 3mm Brass, but only 50mm angle stuff, which I could cut down to sides of 47mm in height, but I think I need it higher, because I want to make my first plane a No 5 size plane with a york pitch. I also have a cool idea for a method of lateral and depth adjustment! I can't start small mate, I'll try Large, do a ###### job, then start again at small That's how I do everything Also got a bit of steel for the bottom. Thanks for the kind words

Good news, get into it, and take plenty of pictures for us!!
Look at the brass, and see if it has striations along it's length, if it does it will most likely be 360 or 380, and not the 260. Mostly angle brass will be the hard extruded stuff that is impossible to peen into the steel. It just crumbles. If you hit it with a hammer it tends to ring much more than cartridge brass also. Take a cutting of the stuff you have, wind it up tight in the vice and give it a good had whacking with a hammer, see if it deforms enough to do the dovetails.
I also get most of my stuff from the metal recycle place 5 minutes from home.
If you have any questions just give a shout and I'll see if I can help.
good luck,
Regards,
Peter

Hi Elandos,

Have a read of this thread, https://www.woodworkforums.com/f44/coffin-smoother-80704

It might help you to avoid some of the pitfalls and subtle "gotcha's" that lurk unseen in the
process.

And never one to resist a chance to gloat, here is the end result.



Peter's depth of knowledge and his willingness to help will guide you through the rough spots...

You are in good hands.

Regards
Ray

With all these opinions being banded around I thought I would throw some of mine in.

When it comes to high values on infill planes it is not all down to the collectors. Anybody who has been down the road making one of these planes will certainly know how many hours and how much effort goes into the making. With my 20 years of experience of making these commercially I am constantly thinking of new ways to work them but cannot reduce the hours. Combining wood and metal together does create lots of problems. In short it is just man hours.

To compare the average infill plane to a casting from Lie Neilsen or Veritas, I would put my money on the Veritas/Lie Neisen. My planes are a completely different story, and to this end I am going to start a blog on my site to open up my workshop.

Karl Holtey

Originally Posted by karl5005

With all these opinions being banded around I thought I would throw some of mine in.

When it comes to high values on infill planes it is not all down to the collectors. Anybody who has been down the road making one of these planes will certainly know how many hours and how much effort goes into the making. With my 20 years of experience of making these commercially I am constantly thinking of new ways to work them but cannot reduce the hours. Combining wood and metal together does create lots of problems. In short it is just man hours.

To compare the average infill plane to a casting from Lie Neilsen or Veritas, I would put my money on the Veritas/Lie Neisen. My planes are a completely different story, and to this end I am going to start a blog on my site to open up my workshop.

Karl Holtey

Karl

I twigged to who you were before I read your name

let me welcome you to this forum


Ian Neuhaus

Originally Posted by thumbsucker

This does not mean that infills are a waste of time. They do have a collectible and aesthetic charm. The spirit of performance of infills are being moved forward by makers like http://www.marcouplanes.co.nz/ and http://holteyplanes.co.uk/. While these are not true infill's they are made in the same tradition of craftsmanship.

Can I ask why you think my planes are not true infills?

Karl Holtey

Hi Karl,

Welcome to the forum,

Based on my recollection of previous discussions with TS on plane design (style) preferences, what TS was referring to was probably the more recent style ones you are making like the No.982 and the marcou style BU smoothers, as compared to the traditional Spiers and Norris.

I am a traditionalist (when it suits me) and love the Spiers style smoothers. They are a joy to hold and delight to use. Very satisfying to make, although incredibly time consuming, but at the end when all the obstacles have been overcome (I had a lot of help from Peter) you get a real sense of achievment.

Do you still get that sense of accomplishment after the all the thousands you have made?

Regards
Ray

Hi Ray

Let me correct a presumption that you and many others seem to have, I have made less than 400 planes in my lifetime (which is not much for running a workshop of 1500 sq ft, machines, tooling and sundries and the missus works full time for me as well).

So far the only two planes I have made that are not traditional are the No 98 ( I haven't over researched this but it was probably the first fabricated non-infill plane) and more recently the No 982. I do confess to trying to wriggle out of making the infills but my customers wont let me off.

Do I get a sense of accomplishment? Only once I get over a bout of stress and I actually get the planes out the door and paid for, then I can unwind and have some satisfaction - it is nice to get the feed back from my customers (which I don't publish).

Once the new website is up and the blog running people will get a better perception of me. Marketing has not been my strong point.

Regards
Karl

Welcome to the forum Karl.
Your work has been the subject of more than a few discussions from time to time here.
I look forward to getting some feed back directly from the source.
All the best
Kevin