First time with a wooden plane

[t8hants]

I am in the process of making my first bench, and I am using demo' yard salvage with which to make it, as a way of getting my skill levels back without wrecking something decent. Yes it is filled with old cut nails, but only on one face. The timber is about 150 years old being ex Sunday School Hall, and is rough sawn. Over the last few nights I have happily used my Record planes to produce 3 smooth edges, and rediscover the mysteries of blade sharpening.

So feeling full of fun, and having watched too many videos on the use of 'oldstyle tools I thought I would brush the dust of a 1930's Marples Fore plane that has a half reasonable blade and give that a go. Once I had managed to workout how to adjust the blade (probably would still warrant a cuff round the ear from a proper Victorian craftsman), All I can say is "What a revelation and what a joy" If a half sharp and half set tool can feel so different from the standard No 5, equally badly set up. I can see what all the fuss is about. I must now sort out my 1840's William Greenslade Fore plane and give that a try.

I'm well down the slope, and don't care, and if you have never tried a wooden plane before, try it.

P.S Following more finds in boxes I have now got 48 planes!

Gareth

 

[AndyT]

Excellent, but it needs some pictures!

 

[jimi43]

Hi Gareth

I will say you are spot on with your review rather than "you hit the nail on the head"...so as not to tempt fate!!! :mrgreen:

For me...getting just one woodie which works fine and learning how to adjust it starts you thinking...what about the rest!

I bought a totally rubbish jointer from a bootfair..tried it...hated it and stuck it under the bench to rot.

Then...when I bought a good one...a Gabriel I think ....I started collecting others and grew in confidence and experience of how to tune them...and know which are worth saving and which are not. That's the key.

Like many steel planes and some (very few) infills..you get superb ones and you get rubbish ones. Once you realise this...there is a huge stock of old gems out there to use again!

Yes..pictures would be fantastic!

Jim

 

[bugbear]

Once I had managed to workout how to adjust the blade (probably would still warrant a cuff round the ear from a proper Victorian craftsman), All I can say is "What a revelation and what a joy" If a half sharp and half set tool can feel so different from the standard No 5, equally badly set up. I can see what all the fuss is about.

Oh yes indeedy do.

Between the warm feel in the hand, the excellent and thick blades, and the low friction of wood-on-wood, "JOY" is the right word.

BugBear