I’ve recently been watching a few youtube vids on shaping (absence of actual shapers to watch in my area) and seen a couple of them using some tiny planes to shape the stringer, they look like they are only about an inch or so long and are only just wider than the stringer. They seem to be handled between a thumb and two fingers.
Can someone tell me what they are called and where I might be able to get one of these delightful wee tools (preferably in the UK to keep the P&P down). I have seen some mini block planes, but I think the things I see others using are specifically for surfboard use (maybe).
The one I use is like the one on the the right. You can get them at most quality tool shops, I think they are about £8 if you can’t find one near you PM and I can pick one up for you and post it to you.
I’ve seen a set of them thar mini things in Charlies for 15 quid, but the ones ive seen on the tube vids are smaller still I’m sure. Still, I’ll go and get a set of them anyway next time I’m up Charlies. Do you find they do the job any better than a decent No2 fully adjustable block plane?
FBLA- Check this one out: trim plane it is the smallest one myself or anyone else I know uses. I realize the link I gave you is an American store but they are light and cheap enough shipping shouldn’t be a problem, besides the site is owned by a felow Swaylokian.
Thanks for your help I already have something similar to that one, the item I was after was smaller still. I’ve just ordered a new better quality block plane than my last one but still would like something along the lines of a really mini plane.
Hey balsa, thats absolutely the thing. I see there called luthier planes so for guitar etc building, so I’ll have to start a new hobby as well as this.
Here is a link to Lee Valley tools that also sells similar small Luthiers planes, I use one of these and really like them. But I have to say that the ones that Balsa shows look even nicer to me.
Thats a nice tool Balsa, I’ve seen similar in the classic tool shop here but not as shiny.
Yer mine is about 5-6 cm long and about 15mm wide - but I only use it for the tips of the nose/tail.
Use a good stanley during rough out
then switch to the lighter david-combi, this is a bit wider than the stanley but I’ve never once marked or torn the foam with it, for wood working I can’t imagine it being any good but for taking down the stringer it rocks and has the simplest blade allignment/change I’ve ever seen.
I’ve also just done up an old Sargent VBM #415 that used to belong to my Grandfather, its come up a treat so I’m planning on using that on an alaia and a balsa papio.
First on the left is a Stanley that I don’t use much anymore, although it can be fitted with convex blades. Also, blades can be fitted right in front. Second and third are the ones I use the most. I found both of them in hobbyist stores many years ago and it seems like they are not produced anymore. Both use the same kind of blades as your David (I also have one). Fourth I bought because it was so small but unfortunately the blade is very low quality and you just cannot hone it properly. Another tool that I never use… Last on the right is the spokeshave that Foamez was talking about, I guess. Pretty useful as it is a double convex shape: the blade AND the base/shoe are both convex. The latest planer that I bought is a small japanese one with the very same features (double convex). Sorry, no photo.
Find a boatbuilder and ask him to make you one of these. Called a bollow Plane it is radiused along it’s length and across the width. It is great for getting into curves, I have used it for the tightest curves you will ever meet in board making.
You could ask one of my students to make you one, they have to make their own before they can make a spoon oar.
Never uploaded a picture before so this may be a disaster as I had to use Gimp to resize it…Ah hell, this is an edit and the Picture didn’t appear will try again
Thanks everyone for the replies, unfortunately I have this huge shopping list now.
Balsa, those finger/luthier planes are exquisite but they are a bit pricey and it seems there are cheaper alternatives which will do the job just as well.
Rikds, I’m going to have a crack at making one of those myself, I have some good beech stock around the right dimensions for one of those so thats another on the TO DO list.
Woods, I’ve just ordered one of those David combis, and I’m going to look for one of the wee spokeshaves in blighty, just to pay $35 for postage when the item only costs $7 seems mad (sorry E-Z, can’t you open a branch in UK, give Seabase some competition).
Seems like I have a bit of a plane fetish going on…ooooooohhhh smoooooothh!
RKids yep thouse are nice planes you can find old ones cheap but that still sell new ones aswell.
I’m looking to buy one of theses its an old rocket compass plane with an adjustable concave/convex shoe they are very sturdy but they don’t make them any more and it can be hard to find one still in good order;
Balso those plane look great, I really love hand planes, they sell similar ones here in our classic tool shop, new and used, they range in price from £12 for a bashed up one to £40 for a brand new top quality one, you can get a good bargin if you know how to maintain a plane and are prepared to spend a little time working on it.
Heres a really great site that someone one from Swaylocks shared a few years ago.(Cant remeber who.) These look like they would adapt very well to surf board work.
