what tpe of block planes are you guys having the best results with? razor planes compared with traditional planes???any thoughts…
what tpe of block planes are you guys having the best results with? razor > planes compared with traditional planes???any thoughts… My planer quiver consists of: Stanley with the red top, Stanley low angle plane, the little stamp steel Stanley, Japanese curved plane (from Clark), and the little spoke shave. Usage depends on how tempermental the stringer is. My favorite is probably the basic red top Stanley. The Japanese works killer too. I have a Razor plane (the German one from Clark) but I have not figured out how to use it. Any body have any tips on the razor?
My planer quiver consists of: Stanley with the red top, Stanley low angle > plane, the little stamp steel Stanley, Japanese curved plane (from Clark), > and the little spoke shave. Usage depends on how tempermental the stringer > is. My favorite is probably the basic red top Stanley. The Japanese works > killer too.>>> I have a Razor plane (the German one from Clark) but I have not figured > out how to use it. Any body have any tips on the razor? My quiver is similar to Rick’s with the addition of a jack and a smoother. My favorites are the mini and the jack. Tried the Japanese a couple of times but never mastered it and fell back to the mini and a spoke shave. Same with the German razor plane. The curved position proved dangerous to my fingers. The angled position was great for stringers but the blades seemed to dull up quickly. Again, back to the mini and the spoke shave. The jack never saw much use as a surfboard tool until I started to work with balsa and cedar. Pushing the jack through a long cut is one of those woodworking sensations that reminds me of my father, grandfather and days gone by. Would like to buy a jointer but can’t figure out what I would use it for to justify the costs. Nice topic, thanks for posting it. Take care and have fun. Patrick Shannon
Two low angle block planes from garage sales… One Stanley, one unknown make. The Stanley works well and is more easily adjustable. The unknown has an odd make with no frog piece. A hobby plane from HD Tool dept.(that’s the work horse) small and more controlable (less foam damage). One spoke shave - unfortunately not on the shelf at the moment since I took it to my parents place to build a board there… will get it back - Great in the ‘curvier’ areas and cuts smooth accross the flats too. One old wood based jack plane (for wood working only). Good for rougher cuts and taking out a lot of material. and the gems… Three of my grandfathers Stanley smoothing planes (circa 1930’s or 40’s probably) - one is a really long one (I think a #8 or 9 / # is obscured by a custom handle reinforcement) - used for woodworking. They are really amazing tools, especially since my grandfather had them adjusted perfectly - and they still shave ribbons off so cleanly it’s scary. I just leave the adjustments alone and use them carefully and sparingly. If I ever get better at plane adjustments/settings I’d still probably not touch these unless absolutely necessary. Eric J>>> My quiver is similar to Rick’s with the addition of a jack and a smoother. > My favorites are the mini and the jack. Tried the Japanese a couple of > times but never mastered it and fell back to the mini and a spoke shave. > Same with the German razor plane. The curved position proved dangerous to > my fingers. The angled position was great for stringers but the blades > seemed to dull up quickly. Again, back to the mini and the spoke shave. > The jack never saw much use as a surfboard tool until I started to work > with balsa and cedar. Pushing the jack through a long cut is one of those > woodworking sensations that reminds me of my father, grandfather and days > gone by. Would like to buy a jointer but can’t figure out what I would use > it for to justify the costs. Nice topic, thanks for posting it. Take care > and have fun. Patrick Shannon
Two low angle block planes from garage sales… One Stanley, one unknown > make. The Stanley works well and is more easily adjustable. The unknown > has an odd make with no frog piece. A hobby plane from HD Tool > dept.(that’s the work horse) small and more controlable (less foam > damage). One spoke shave - unfortunately not on the shelf at the moment > since I took it to my parents place to build a board there… will get it > back - Great in the ‘curvier’ areas and cuts smooth accross the flats too. > One old wood based jack plane (for wood working only). Good for rougher > cuts and taking out a lot of material. and the gems…>>> Three of my grandfathers Stanley smoothing planes (circa 1930’s or 40’s > probably) - one is a really long one (I think a #8 or 9 / # is obscured by > a custom handle reinforcement) - used for woodworking. They are really > amazing tools, especially since my grandfather had them adjusted perfectly > - and they still shave ribbons off so cleanly it’s scary. I just leave the > adjustments alone and use them carefully and sparingly. If I ever get > better at plane adjustments/settings I’d still probably not touch these > unless absolutely necessary.>>> Eric J A record low angle block…stanley model plane…and the little japanese from clark foam.I also have the razor plane but gave up on it.All of them have a slight radius on the blade.You have to tune them up…no plane works off the shelf.I spent half a day on my block plane lapping the sole and honing the blade.To hone I use a bench grinder with a fine stone and a felt wheel with polishing compound.Sharpening is an art in itself.I my plane won’t shave hair off it is dull…R.B…(as an afterthought I know some shapers in Florida that hone their blades on a power pad with water and 400 grit wetsand paper…it works)
A record low angle block…stanley model plane…and the little japanese > from clark foam.I also have the razor plane but gave up on it.All of them > have a slight radius on the blade.You have to tune them up…no plane works > off the shelf.I spent half a day on my block plane lapping the sole and > honing the blade.To hone I use a bench grinder with a fine stone and a > felt wheel with polishing compound.Sharpening is an art in itself.I my > plane won’t shave hair off it is dull…R.B…(as an afterthought I know > some shapers in Florida that hone their blades on a power pad with water > and 400 grit wetsand paper…it works) There is an old saying - can’t remember how it goes exactly - but basically it states, " you can always tell a woodworking craftsman by the bald spots on his forearms." As a word of warning to younger workers, sharpening is addictive. Once you use a well sharpened tool you will never be satisfied. You will, however, be safer. Take care and have fun. Patrick Shannon