How to store Handplanes?

[Muina]

I just saw one of Lie Nielson's videos on Youtube and I noticed the guy (I think Deneb Puchalski) kept putting the planes down with the sole flat on the bench and the blade out.

Thinking about it, I realised I've seen a lot of the big guys doing the exact same thing, but I've always been taught to put the plane down on it's side so that you don't blunt the blade prematurely.

So is this a solution to a problem that's not really that much of problem at all or is it just because these guys know they can sharpen a blade in less time it takes to think about putting the plane down on it's side?

Thanks

Anthony

 

[Anonymous]

i always when in use put them onto one side; when in storage i put them with the heel resting on an oak strip so the blade isn't in touch with the surface.

There's no set way its just what i have been taught so this what I do, If i forget to do the above I don't fret.

 

[yetloh]

Most children who did woodwork at school will have been taught to put a plane down on its side. The reason for this was that you could never be sure what a child might be putting the exposed blade onto if it was put down on its sole. Quite apart from things like files and screwdrivers, school benches would often have nails driven into them by by bored or mischievous children.

Using a plane in your own workshop on your own bench is quite another matter, and putting it down directly onto a wooden bench (as I do) is not going to harm the edge. I also store my planes flat on a shelf and do not bother to raise the toe of the plane simply because I can see no good reason to do so.

Jim

 

[matthewwh]

I agree, although putting them down on their side is good practice and I wouldn't criticise anyone who did so.

Putting a plane down on a wooden suface with the cutting iron out isn't going to instantly blunt or damage the iron. Having said that, resting the weight of your smoother on the centre of its carefully prepared cambered cutting edge on a surface that has a risk of containing embedded particles of silicon carbide etc probably isn't the most respectful way to treat your tools.

Jim - I believe the main advantage in keeping planes propped up on shelves is that it allows air to circulate so any moisture or condensation that forms on the tool can evaporate before it causes a problem. Having them make full contact with a hygroscopic material like wood invites the possibility of moisure being held against the surface.

Both situations are very unlikely to cause a problem and reasonably easy to sort out if the worst does happen. On the side and propped up are theoretically the safer way and are therefore good habits to get into, but its not a big deal if you don't.

 

[woodbloke]

I get into the habit of having a few lolly sized sticks of material kept in a pot in the tool well (it also contains other assorted detritus) so planes rest on one of these when not in use. Placing them on their sides is sound practice in my view, but I find them easier to pick up again if they're left in the 'normal' operating position on the bench top - Rob

 

[pedder]

I take the plane of the shelf just before I use it. After I've used it, I've a lot of shavings. I fold a shaving double or tripple and let the plane sit on the folded shaving with the edge downwards. Never hit my bench nor my body with a mounted plane iron.

Hope that makes sense.

Cheers
Pedder

 

[Sawyer]

For about 25 years, I've kept them with the toe resting on a thin strip of wood, but have always wondered if it may encourage the casting to deform. No doubt, very unlikely, and it's never happened to my planes. Latterly though, and following the purchase of a couple of very nice Cliftons, I've made each plane its own 'bed' to sit on. This is simply a bit of chipboard with nose and tail-shaped raised ends and strips down each side so the plane sits snugly. Where the blade is, I've routed out a groove so that precious edge is never in contact with anything more than thin air.

Now, each plane has its unique place in the tool cupboard which all looks very organised. Another advantage.

 

[Benchwayze]

For about 25 years, I've kept them with the toe resting on a thin strip of wood, but have always wondered if it may encourage the casting to deform. No doubt, very unlikely, and it's never happened to my planes. Latterly though, and following the purchase of a couple of very nice Cliftons, I've made each plane its own 'bed' to sit on. This is simply a bit of chipboard with nose and tail-shaped raised ends and strips down each side so the plane sits snugly. Where the blade is, I've routed out a groove so that precious edge is never in contact with anything more than thin air.

Now, each plane has its unique place in the tool cupboard which all looks very organised. Another advantage.

Ref: Deformation of casting. I wondered about this too. Again, never happened, but in theory I suppose it could.

I just saw sheet cork mentioned in General Woodwork, and seconded it's use for tool drawers. I thought.... ( Please don't ask me how), but I thought, why not make a cork-lined tray for my bench-planes and set it out when planing? Hmmm. Thinking deeply! Is this just another 'accessory' to litter the bench?

John :mrgreen:

 

[jimi43]

Sticks of oak....

The woodwork teacher at our school used to clip you around the ear if you put them sole down...I think this was just part of the sadistic traditions of teachers of that era to keep order.

I fail to see any practical reason...but the airing idea might be valid. I know that a No.7 I had in a wooden box was corroded where it sat in that box on the sole.

Old habits die hard though...so that's how I shall be storing them!

Jim

 

[woodbloke]

The woodwork teacher at our school used to clip you around the ear if you put them sole down...I think this was just part of the sadistic traditions of teachers of that era to keep order.

Jim

Quite right too Jim...I was tempted on plenty of occasions, but never acually did any 'clipping' :lol: - Rob

 

[Muina]

It's just second nature to me now, I don't even think I could put a plane sole down if I concentrated so hard my eyes hurt.

Thinking about it the only real time it'll make any difference is when the blade's just been sharpened, after all if the first stroke knocks the edge off then contact with the bench will too, therefore why get a blade that sharp in the first place?

Of course then the debate about sharpness comes in

I suppose only in quantum sizes would it make a difference but woodwork's not really about microscopic sizes (unless your a serious extremist... which I am )

Anthony

 

[yetloh]

Jim - I believe the main advantage in keeping planes propped up on shelves is that it allows air to circulate so any moisture or condensation that forms on the tool can evaporate before it causes a problem. Having them make full contact with a hygroscopic material like wood invites the possibility of moisure being held against the surface.

Both situations are very unlikely to cause a problem and reasonably easy to sort out if the worst does happen. On the side and propped up are theoretically the safer way and are therefore good habits to get into, but its not a big deal if you don't.

I'm sure you are right, Matthew but I am much luckier than many in having a dry warm workshop - something I always wanted and have at last achieved.

I agree, although putting them down on their side is good practice and I wouldn't criticise anyone who did so.

Rob, a tool well eh! I grew to hate mine for all the debris and tools that filled it because it because I am too undisciplined to clear up at the end of a session. I filled it in a couple of years ago and it is one of the best changes I have made in my worshop - debris and tools have to be cleared and I have a working area which is much bigger and more useful.

Jim

 

[Benchwayze]

A tool well is something that's going to be absent from my new bench too Jim, for the same reasons.

I do tend to leave the clearing up until the last! Hopefully excluding the well should improve my habits!

John

 

[jimi43]

I've never understood tool wells at all.

Jim

 

[Scouse]

... but have always wondered if it may encourage the casting to deform.

This had never occured to me, but now I'm curious, since it was mentioned in a post a few months ago. Does raising the toe cause the iron to move? I've never noticed, but I've never measured either.

Chris Schwarz noted in a Youtube video, that I can't find at the moment, that resting the plane on it's side was to protect the blade from metal objects which may be hidden by shavings on the bench and was popularised by woodwork teachers in the mid 20th century. Prior to this, he said there was no reference at all about resting planes on their side. He continued that you should be in control of your working environment and should know where hard objects were on the bench and where it was safe to place a plane. Indeed, he concluded, resting the plane on it's side could cause more damage by leaving the blade exposed to being knocked; on a clean bench, the blade is only resting on wood which will do no damage. I'll try and find the video...

For the record, mine are stored raised slightly to allow air to circulate and help prevent rust, as noted above, but on the bench I just put them down; it's a chunk of metal, not a Fabergé egg... :wink: :mrgreen:

 

[Jacob]

...

Rob, a tool well eh! I grew to hate mine for all the debris and tools that filled it

But that is exactly what it's for. You can carry on working on the bench without having to move everything off all the time, and with less risk of dropping your workpiece onto a tool, a nail or a screw left lying about. Particularly handy if you are generating shavings and chippings - just sweep them into the well along with any other bits n bobs hidden thereunder.
Every bench should have one.
Storing handplanes: in a cupboard? (see rusty chisels thread :lol: )

 

[woodbloke]

Rob, a tool well eh! I grew to hate mine for all the debris and tools that filled it because it because I am too undisciplined to clear up at the end of a session. I filled it in a couple of years ago and it is one of the best changes I have made in my worshop - debris and tools have to be cleared and I have a working area which is much bigger and more useful.

Jim

All the tools I use are stored directly above the bench, so that at the end of each session the well is cleared and the tools put back on the wall. The well is also useful for keeping stuff like marking gauges for the duration of a job where a particular 'set' is needed, so that if it's in the well, I know that I ought not to alter it. I also use it to keep smaller components that will be used later on in the job as well as an old 'baccy tin with all my most used drill sizes in it. Also the tool well bottoms are removable so that I can cramp from the other side of the bench...very handy sometimes :wink: I can see why people don't like them, but for me the advantages outweigh the disadvantages - Rob

 

[Sawyer]

When working, I always put planes on their side by second nature and have even heard it said that chisels must always be put down with bevel downwards to preserve the edge. Of course, we are not always working on the bench are we? The received wisdom about planes on their side may not matter too much on a bench top, but on a hard floor..... Best to acquire the 'on the side' habit so as never to absent-mindedly grind that sharp edge onto concrete, &c.

Personally, I like tool wells. My workshop has a concrete floor, which I hate dropping tools on and things roll off benches all too easily. Experience shows however, that the next one needs to be deeper; at least 2.1/2", so that a plane (on its side) will be below bench level (ah yes, another reason to put them down on their side!)

 

[Harbo]

I was taught to lay them on their side which I tend to do most of the time.
My bench is an ex school one with a well which I find quite useful.
I store my planes in drawers on bubble wrap sprayed with Camellia Oil.

Rod

 

[twothumbs]

My understanding is..................The reason for laying planes on their cheek goes back to the days of wooden planes where a knock could loosen the wedge. Resetting the blade was a nuisance of course, and sitting the plane on the blade could slacken the iron and wedge if it was not over tight; not loose, but not tight. Sharpening was a nuisance compared to metal planes so you also didn't want to blunt the edge more than was necessary. Benches often had a batten to sit the front of sole on. Bench hands would get short shift from the foreman for fiddling about and not getting on with the job with loose wedges. I also suspect that it may also relate to when joiners had to sharpened their tools at home in their own time.