Very cool unclegrumpy. Ive never seen those before.
Im curious to all of you, how do you keep your blades in good shape? Diamond stones? Its come about that time im in need of sharpening some of my planes, (stanley 3, 8,9, mini, and a few assorted spokeshaves, a number 51 i believe)
Angus-
I just recently learned a way from a woodworker that works excellent. I always sucked at sharpening before. I use a norton 1000/8000 grit waterstone . Soak for atleast five minutes. Then I use an angle trainer because its a little easier. I do the main bevel at 29 degrees on the 1000 side first then flip to the 8000 at 32 or 33 degrees ( forget what the trainer says on it). After that I lay a flat thin metal ruler down on the 1000 grit, lay the blade on the back bevel side and pull onto the stone for a quick few passes. This puts around 1 degree bevel. My blades have never been so sharp. I believe woodcraft has a video on youtube explaining this exact process. Takes only a few minutes a blade.
Mitch,
The antique Japanese wood bodied plane arrived today. I AM IN AWE ! It is a thing of beauty. I love the feel of it in hand. I can hardly wait to shape another board, so I can use it. It is a most generous gift, that you have given me. I am not exagerating when I tell you that I will treasure it. I already do!
Thank you very much,
Bill Thrailkill
Hey Bill,
You are very welcome. Fits the hand perfect, not too mention the nose curve on a board. You probably need to sharpen it but as you can tell, plenty of blade left. I know its in good hands and stoked your happy with it… I can only imagine the beauties its going to get used on. I hope you enjoy it for years to come. Thanks for the inspiration Bill!!
Mitch
I used to use stones for sharpening. Then I learned to use a piece of glass with wet sand paper. The key with planer blades is to have a clamp to hold the angle as you sharpen. This will get them razor blade sharp.
I wondered how you could be so precise, about the angles at which you were sharpening your blades.
Bill
Best $30 bucks I ever spent. I tried the glass method working through grits to 2000, but was never happy the way they turned out. This little gadget REALLY does help. If anyone is having a hard time sharpening thier tools, this is a great way to go. Could not be more pleased the way my blades come out now.
Mitch,
That plane you sent me, in a one word description, is SWEEEET ! With the curved bottom, the pull stroke is a must. I used it on a 5’ 10’’ x 19.25’’ shortboard quad, with a mild ‘‘ski nose’’, and the plane fit the nose curve like a glove. Hard to believe that it is pushing the hundred year mark! Seems made for surfboards. Thank you again.
Bill
dug thru my lumber collection, and found some treasures today…sorry i had to postpone our lunch…lots of work related stuff…inservices…next week is clear.maybe some fish n chips sounds good to me!..lol.
herb
I would love one of those and can mine have a curved blade that won’t drag the foam when I plane the stringer? I would use it with love and think of you every time I pushed it over a blank…cheers rich ps I’m still hoping for a 7’10" obq template and rocker profile to replace the one I lost in shipping and a 70’s mini gun template…when you have any time just going spare. You can deliver them all in person when you head south bill…
Richard, The quest for the One Board Quiver, (OBQ) actually began in 1965, with a 10’ 2’’ x 22’’ to 8’’ sq.tail. The concept being a board that could be ridden in 2 foot, to 20 foot waves. At that time, the board was referred to as the 220. By late 1969 that concept had evolved into the 7’ 10’’ x 21’’ to 7’’ sq. tail, which was the first template I sent to you in Cornwall. I rode that design @ 7’ 10’’ x 21 in true 15 foot Hawaiian size waves at Sunset, with complete comfort and confidence. Single fin, by the way. The board I just made for myself, has more emphasis on the small wave end of the spectrum, so is changed somewhat from that template I originally sent you. The pintail red board that I made for you, as well as the original Lightening Bolt boards I built on contract that launched them, is the Mini Gun template lines. So, you have that already. Use PM to send me a current address, and I’ll send you some templates, and a design tutorial on rocker and board design.
Bill
PS: Don’t think of it as retro design, but as design 40 years ahead of its time.
Hey Bill,
Glad you got to use it already. Sure does fit right in the hand. I kinda like this size over the smaller one i have.Hard to believe how old these are considering how well they work, and like you said seem made for surfboards. Not too mention how much blade is left for being so old, gonna out live me…lol
I hope you enjoy it for many years to come.
Mitch
