Re-built a jonter. Damn!

**derekcohen** · 7th May 2007, 04:17 AM

Many of you may recall the razee jointer I built and posted here about a month ago. I was very pleased with the way it came out – it performed as well as I could ever have wished – but it was the longest plane I had built at that time and the placement of the tote was a toss up. I went for balance, with the result that the tote was placed further back on the body than vintage razee jointers. I noted that this was similar to Steve Knight’s razee.

However, Mike Wenzloff disagreed with the placement, saying it was too far back. I decided that I would try out the arrangement for a month, then report. So, to Mike I say ‘Damn your eyes! You were right!!”. With the tote far back the plane was balanced - but it lacked control.

There is nothing I dislike more than redoing perfectly good work. How often do you accept that a part is just not good enough, and pull it apart? How much of a perfectionist are you? Well, I did not change the tote once - I changed it twice. Sort of.

Here is the original tote and placement on the body.

Ok, those who are squeamish avert your eyes.

The unkindest cut of all ..

The old tote came off cleanly.

It must be said that I did not like the original tote. Somehow it came out differently to my plans. It lacked the curvy look I prefer. The top was too straight and just looked pointy rather than extended. So I decided that I would rebuild this otherwise perfectly sound tote.

Out came the files and rifflers. I really must buy some decent rasps. I do not own a Nicholson #49 or #50. I do not own an Auriou. All I have is a rather coarse Nicholson rasp, several Nicholson files and this set of no-name rifflers. Why do rifflers hardly rate a mention. They are great!

No turning back now …

Done …

A tip for sanding – old sanding belts are great. Slice them up and pretend you are shining shoes.

Up to this point I had planned to glue-and-screw the tote to a tenon and glue it into the body of the plane. But I got to thinking about the strength would probably be fine but, all the same, I would make another from scratch. Which I did. Cut out the shape, including tenon, on the bandsaw, and out came the rifflers and files once again.

And here it is – pre finish:

**derekcohen** · 7th May 2007, 04:18 AM

And a close up of the tote:

Jarrah was again used here, but the finish was altered to include a wash in black dye to create a contrast between tote and plane body. There is no way of disguising that a repair has been made. Under such circumstances I prefer to exaggerate the differences and turn it into a feature.

Some days I think that woodworking is more about correcting something old than building something new.

Regards from Perth

Derek

**Walnutty** · 7th May 2007, 05:17 AM

Great work Derek, what a great result, I'll bet it feels so much better now!

Cheers,

WN-

**jmk89** · 7th May 2007, 05:19 AM

Derek

Thanks for the update. The new tote looks great.

How did you determine the best position for the tote this time? (I assume that you don't want to move it again, so I imagine that there was some process of reasoning at work).

Cheers

Jeremy

**Bodgy** · 7th May 2007, 09:36 AM

Just beautiful Derek, well done.

**munruben** · 7th May 2007, 02:07 PM

Terrific. Looks great

**routermaniac** · 7th May 2007, 08:28 PM

Derek I keep doing what you do with your planes with my router tables

. Just when I thought I have it absolutely right.... I come up with another mod. Are you the eldest child as well?

From one OCD to another, love your work mate.

**IanW** · 7th May 2007, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by derekcohen

........Some days I think that woodworking is more about correcting something old than building something new.......
Derek

Hi Derek,
You ain't the first to feel that way, someone said in an old FWW article that the difference between a pro and an amateur is the pro can make mistakes look like part of the plan! You must be a pro!

Have to say, at the risk of being clever after the event, that your first tote position looked a bit far to the rear. But I thought 'to each his own'. Hope the new spot is the right one. Must have taken a bit to screw up the courage for that first cut, hey?

All's well that ends well - looks like you meant it that way...........

Cheers,

**BobL** · 7th May 2007, 10:13 PM

Ouch!!! , seeing that saw cutting through that tote sure made me wince!

Anyway, I'm glad it worked out. A classy fix as usual.

Cheers

**MikeW** · 8th May 2007, 05:26 PM

Hey Derek,

As Ian said, All's well that ends well!

As for the mod, the more I have looked at the picture, the more I like the extra length projecting in back of the tote proper. It breaks up the sightline of that long expanse.

Well done.

Take care, Mike

**rsser** · 8th May 2007, 06:15 PM

Lovely work. Do you take it to bed with you? ;-}

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