Thread: Challenge 20 - 21. Ironwood.

So what'll you do differently on #2?

Originally Posted by IanW

So what'll you do differently on #2?

Well, I am still not entirely finished on this one yet. I still want to polish the sides, and put some wax on the woodwork. Oh, and I noticed in the photos that the brass screw could do with some more cleaning up.
Maybe later in the year I will start on #2, it will probably be either a Scrub similar to the one Stavros Gakos made, or the #3 sized smoother with a rear bun infill, that I was originally going to make for this challenge. A miter plane is also in the thoughtworks too .

As for what I will do differently. Will definitely gather all the materials before I start, so there are no changes in direction as I go. Apart from that , I can’t see anything that stands out that I need to do differently .
With this one, I did some things that were possibly a bit controversial, like drilling the rivet and crosspin holes before assembling the plane. I think my plan in that regard, went as well as I could have hoped for. I like the removable lever cap, but might possibly change things a bit there, not sure yet.
I have got some different timbers in the shed, that I would like to get to use, and what better use for really nice bits of timber could there possibly be, incorporate it into a tool that will outlast me
I have got some large billets of Vine Tree from out West of here, that will be superb for tool handles, I need to break some of it down so it can start drying out quicker. I might have some ready for the 2023 Plane Challenge

Originally Posted by IanW

So what'll you do differently on #2?

Brad, that was meant to be a subtle commendation with the implication that there's not a huge amount of improvement necessary.

You've done a pretty impressive job for your first plane, in far less time & with fewer blunders than I managed on my #1. As the builder, of course you know where some things didn't go according to plan or could have been done a little better/differently, that's the learning curve! But from an observer's perspective, it looks the goods & if initial results are anything to go by, I reckon you've got something that both looks & performs with the best.

I have really enjoyed watching you guys solve problems in your own ways, like the way you & Matt decided to fit your lever caps - not sure I would ever be tempted to do it that way myself, but I think it's a perfectly valid way to go about it, & in my view, a better solution for home builders than riveting it in permanently. I can't tell you how many times I've been grateful for an easily-removed lever cap! Once you've established a design & have everything working perfectly, riveting would be fine & gives you a very neat finish, but when 'prototyping' it's sure nice to be able to easily remove that lever cap a few times.

So, all you have to be careful of now is that you don't become obsessed with making planes instead of making the stuff that planes are meant to help you make.

OTH, it's not that bad an obsession to be afflicted with - eventually you 'll get back to just using 'em, and the pleasure that a highly functional tool that you've made for yourself brings is very hard to beat....

Cheers,

Originally Posted by Picko

That Brad, is stunning. Forget the tablecloth, you will not find one good enough.

Ditto

Originally Posted by IanW

Brad, that was meant to be a subtle commendation with the implication that there's not a huge amount of improvement necessary.
Cheers,

Oh, ok, I took it literally, and answered so
Thats ok though, as it’s a good thing to review your own work .
I am in two minds with the lever cap, yes it’s good to be able to remove it quickly and easily, but if you get it all right the first time, then it shouldn’t need to be removed. I will be studying up on other methods to secure it, before I start on the next build. I am sure there are easier ways, and less work than the way I did it.
I have got stuff to take care of at the house this morning, but I hope to get down to the shed this afternoon, and get this plane finished. And get some more testing done

I gave the plane a longer workout on a few bits of timber, the mouth was still clogging up with shavings. Got some feeler gauges and I couldn’t get a 0.0015” strip in, all the way across. I got a fine diamond lap, and opened it up, now I can get a 0.003” strip in all the way across. That seems to have stopped the clogging up.

On the piece of Pine, I can get fairly consistent full width shavings that measure 0.03mm with the micrometer. That will do me .

I also planed a piece of Vine Tree, and some fiddleback wattle that I milled up from a tree on my block. I got better results on this cantankerous Wattle than I have been able to Previously get with any of my other planes, including a HNT Gordon Smoother, a Veritas BUJ, and a #4 Turner.

I gave the sides a further sanding, cleaned up the whole plane, and put another thinned coat of Penetrol Wood Oil on, waiting for it to dry off, then will give the whole plane a rub with some wax. I think I have decided not to polish the brass sides.
Will get some photos later this afternoon when the lighting is a bit softer, and will probably call it finished

I went back down to the shed once it had cooled down a bit, and put a coat of Ubeaut Traditional wax on the entire plane ( except the blade )
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Originally Posted by Ironwood

I went back down to the shed once it had cooled down a bit, and put a coat of Ubeaut Traditional wax on the entire plane ( except the blade )

Can you now stop making your plane look even better!? I am getting blind [emoji6]

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

And the Pine Money Shots
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0.03mm ( 0.00118") I am happy with that. I did get thinner ones, but they weren't full width.
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I tried to get shots of the fiddleback Wattle, the pics look a bit flat. Almost need a video to show the 3D effect.
But I am very happy with the finish I am getting straight off the plane.
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EDIT- The wood was wiped with a wet rag for the pics.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
Very, very nice.

Brad,
Take a long deep breath, you deserve it, that’s looking absolutely fantastic.
That’s a family heirloom right there.

And the shavings awesome.

Cheers Matt.

Hi Brad. Well done. It looks superb. And it works!!!

Most excellent! You have just set the bar for the rest of us I think. (bye, bye podium for me).

And no waffling at all - those are lovely shavings.

Steve