2020-2021 Plane Building Challenge
2020 – 2021 Challenge
Build a Woodworking Plane
Overview: In August, 2020 Matt (Simplicity) set himself a challenge to build a woodworking plane; something he had never attempted before. Throughout the course of the build, Matt posted numerous updates and photos of his successes, failures and frustrations here on the Forum. Matt has now announced that he has started on a new challenge – to build a second plane.
There is a consensus amongst his colleagues that ‘if Matt can build a working plane’ it can’t be all that hard. So Matt it is now officially on – you are being challenged. The members of the woodworking / metalworking forums are now ready to accept the challenge to produce their best woodworking plane. You all have 6 months to give it your best shot!
- Criteria: The criteria are simple. Every member accepting the challenge has to produce a working plane and post photos of the build and finished item along with a sample of the shaving from a piece of Pine to verify that their plane meets the criteria of a working plane.
- Materials: Wood, metal, plastic, etc. or any combination.
- Design: Your plane may be built from your own design, a design downloaded from the internet, a copy of the basic structure of an existing commercial plane, or the modification (improvement) of any of the above.
- Restoration or modification of an existing plane (as opposed to modifying a design) is not acceptable.
- Construction: With the exception of the plane blade and chip breaker, which may be bought as a finished component, sending plane blade to a third party for the purpose of hardening and tempering is also acceptable; but all other parts must be made by the forum member using only the tools which they have available in their home workshop.
- Duration of Challenge: Only items completed between 7 September, 2020 and 26th March 2021 will be eligible for entry in the competition. This will allow time for some of us to upgrade our skill levels, service and sharpen our tools, and source the material and services required to complete the challenge.
- Judging: A panel of 3 judges has been appointed – IanW (Brisbane Qld), fletty (Camden NSW) and derekcohen (Perth WA). Judging will be based on appearance, originality, workmanship, and most importantly the extent to which the plane is fit for its intended use. Photographs, written documentation, and shaving samples will form the basis for the judges’ decision. The judges’ decision will be final.
- Prize(s): Depending on the number of entries there will be one or more prizes awarded by the judges. Further details will be posted when numbers are known.
- How to enter: Each entrant should start their own thread in the Homemade Tools and Jigs, PLANE CHALLENGE 2020-21. The first post should contain “Challenge 2020-2021” and followed by your name e.g. Challenge 2020-2021 Oldgreybeard as the title for your new thread.
- Submissions: You should regularly post updates and photos along with any requests for advice, etc. to the thread you created when you entered. This will satisfy the requirements for photographs and documentation required by the judges.
On completion of your plane, submit 4 photos showing off your plane, workmanship and the shavings you created. The judges may, at their discretion, seek clarification of any point but will not enter into any discussion as to their decision.
