86+ Woodworking Plane

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Opening: Unleash Your Inner Craftsman: Building Your Own Smoothing Plane Are you ready to elevate your woodworking game? Nothing compares to the satisfaction of crafting with a tool you built yourself. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of creating a high-performance smoothing plane from readily available materials. This DIY project not only saves you money but also provides a deeper understanding of the mechanics behind this essential woodworking tool. Let's get started!

Step 1: Gathering Your Materials and Tools Before diving in, make sure you have everything you need. This simplifies the building process and minimizes interruptions. Here's a comprehensive list:

Wood for the Body: Hardwood such as maple, beech, or birch is ideal for the plane body. Aim for a piece that is at least 12" long, 3" wide, and 2.5" thick.

Plane Blade: A Hock or Lie-Nielsen blade is recommended for its quality. Choose a blade width appropriate for your desired plane size (around 2" is common for a smoothing plane).

Chipbreaker: Purchase a chipbreaker that matches the width of your blade.

Wedge Wood: A contrasting wood like walnut or cherry adds a nice aesthetic touch for the wedge. A small piece is sufficient.

Fasteners: Epoxy glue, screws (optional, for temporary clamping during glue-up)

Finishing Supplies: Sandpaper (various grits), linseed oil or varnish (optional)

Tools:

• Marking Gauge
• Combination Square
• Hand Saw (or Bandsaw)
• Chisels (various sizes)
• Mallet
• Drill with Drill Bits
• File or Float
• Clamps
• Smoothing Plane (for truing up the body)

Step 2: Preparing the Plane Body Begin by ensuring the wood for the body is square and flat. Use a smoothing plane to achieve this if necessary. Mark the dimensions of your desired plane body on the wood. Typically, a smoothing plane is around 9-10 inches long. Use a marking gauge to scribe parallel lines for the sides, top, and bottom. These lines will serve as guides during shaping. Accurately square the ends.

Step 3: Creating the Blade Mortise This is a crucial step requiring precision. The blade mortise will house the plane blade and chipbreaker.

First, determine the location and angle of the blade bed. A common angle is 45 degrees. Mark this angle on the side of the plane body.

Carefully chisel out the mortise, working from both sides to avoid tear-out. The mortise should be slightly wider than the blade and deep enough to accommodate the blade and chipbreaker.

Periodically check the fit of the blade and chipbreaker as you chisel. Aim for a snug but not overly tight fit.

Create a ramp in front of the mouth to allow shavings to exit the plane body.

Step 4: Shaping the Plane Body Now, it's time to refine the shape and ergonomics of the plane body.

Round over the edges and corners of the body with a chisel, rasp, or file. Make sure to test fit frequently.

Pay attention to the areas where your hands will grip the plane. Shape these areas for comfort and control.

Use sandpaper of progressively finer grits to smooth all surfaces.

Step 5: Crafting the Wedge The wedge secures the blade and chipbreaker in the mortise.

Cut a piece of contrasting wood slightly larger than the opening in the mortise.

Shape the wedge to fit snugly in the mortise, gradually tapering it towards the top.

The wedge should apply even pressure to the blade and chipbreaker when tapped into place.

The angle of the wedge should be slightly shallower than the angle of the blade bed.

Sand the wedge smooth and round over any sharp edges.

Step 6: Assembling and Tuning Your Plane The final step involves assembling the plane and fine-tuning it for optimal performance.

Insert the blade and chipbreaker into the mortise, ensuring they are seated correctly.

Gently tap the wedge into place, securing the blade and chipbreaker.

Adjust the depth of cut by tapping the blade forward or backward.

Use a file or float to fine-tune the mouth of the plane, ensuring it is parallel to the blade.

Test the plane on a piece of wood, making adjustments as needed to achieve smooth, consistent shavings.

Conclusion: Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor Congratulations! You've successfully built your own smoothing plane. Take pride in your accomplishment and enjoy the unique experience of working with a tool you crafted with your own hands. With proper care and maintenance, this plane will provide years of reliable service, helping you create beautiful and precise woodworking projects. Experiment with different wood types and designs to further customize your planes and refine your skills. Happy planing!

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