I don’t know a lot about the shapers that didn’t work for me but I was really impressed with Matt Calvani at the Sacred Craft show. He really has it down. Also Mike Eaton and Dan Bendiksen who shaped for me in the 60’s and early 70’s were masters with their heavy Rockwell planers.
Another over looked shaping talent is the guys that can use a power pad for the rough sanding. Really easy to screw that one up, but a real time saver for the guy’s with the touch.
Bing
I was really impressed with Matt Calvani at the Sacred Craft show. He really has it down. Also Mike Eaton and Dan Bendiksen who shaped for me in the 60’s and early 70’s were masters with their heavy Rockwell planers.
Bing
Bing, thanks for the opportunity to ask this, but was wondering of your own involvement with the planner over the years. While Eaton and Bendiksen where producing boards in the peak times, how many were you doing for yourself or others?
Props to Matt as well. I got to see some of his shapes in Ventura that were just beautiful. They look a lot like the old ones.
…hello Bing
I ride British motorcycles and had the engine and gearbox covers and other parts except the crankcase (polished only due the heat involved)
chromed (over Aluminum)
its another technique and not all the chrome shops does the job
also you need to dismantle, strip down all previously
may be that shop is too lazy
Quote:I was really impressed with Matt Calvani at the Sacred Craft show. He really has it down. Also Mike Eaton and Dan Bendiksen who shaped for me in the 60’s and early 70’s were masters with their heavy Rockwell planers.
Bing
Bing, thanks for the opportunity to ask this, but was wondering of your own involvement with the planner over the years. While Eaton and Bendiksen where producing boards in the peak times, how many were you doing for yourself or others?
I always seemed to be able to do a few a week. But, most of my time was taken up keeping the materials coming and the tools running. I always shaped boards that I was requested to do. (the shaping was the fun part)
Bing
Props to Matt as well. I got to see some of his shapes in Ventura that were just beautiful. They look a lot like the old ones.
…hello Bing
I ride British motorcycles and had the engine and gearbox covers and other parts except the crankcase (polished only due the heat involved)
chromed (over Aluminum)
its another technique and not all the chrome shops does the job
also you need to dismantle, strip down all previously
may be that shop is too lazy
Remember this was over 40 years ago.
Bing
That is a great old photo, Bing.
Was that for an ad?
That is a great old photo, Bing.
Was that for an ad?
Yes, we did several ads with the photos. They are all reproduced in my book. Here’s one of them.
Bing
Aloha Allan
This is my planer. Look Familiar?
I drilled the holes to expand the cut depth slightly but more importantly the holes extend above and below the track because I had severe problems, when shaping fast, with foam packing up in the ends of the track and reducing the depth of my cuts. The holes allow the track to self purge.
Pretty cool how similar our tools are.
The Skil is awesome. Still, if there where changes I could make… I would make it lighter, move the handle forward, increase the RPMs and Amps, and maybe add a third blade to the drum.
BB
The only mods I made were to cut down the base, remove the ratchet-y thing, and drill out the slider so i could go a little deeper and “less than zero” I think I leaned that from John Bradbury.
I’ve used the Clark Hitachis ( I have a big one with a vacuum attachment that I’ve used for serious mowing), but the Skil’s always been the go-to. The thing that I like most about it- besides its pleasing feel in the hands, is that the heel of my left hand sits right down in the curved flange of the front shoe, and kisses the foam, which makes for nice feedback.
The thing’s been rebuilt a few times, and I have a stock of blades, belts, brushes and triggers.
Great tool.
Nice modifications.
I’ve heard of people filing out the end to make a bit of a deeper cut. I have always figured that 1/8" is enough, especially when cutting stringer passes.
I’ve always kept the “clicker” in the depth adjustment. Adjusted it just loose enough so you can still slightly feel it hit the notches, but loose enough so you can let it run through the gears. Having the subtle feel of the clicks is great for foiling and adjusting rockers, and being able to let it run is great for the rail bands. I’m maily a cross-cutter when foiling and adjusting rocker flow. Yeah, it takes a bit longer, but I feel it’s more precise.
I have always liked the weight(heft) and the handle placement of the Skil 100. Good stability and control.
With the “other one” it feels like I’m ironing a shirt or something. I’ve only ironed a shirt a few times, but that’s what it felt like…I still don’t know how to tie a tie though…
Agree it could have some more amps and rpm. Although the 7.5amp is pretty nice compared to the 5.5amp.
tim stamps
Nice modifications.
I’ve heard of people filing out the end to make a bit of a deeper cut.
Aloha Tim
You should try increasing the available depth of cut. You will like it. More options are always nice.
I have always figured that 1/8" is enough, especially when cutting stringer passes.
I’ve always kept the “clicker” in the depth adjustment. Adjusted it just loose enough so you can still slightly feel it hit the notches, but loose enough so you can let it run through the gears. Having the subtle feel of the clicks is great for foiling and adjusting rockers, and being able to let it run is great for the rail bands. I’m maily a cross-cutter when foiling and adjusting rocker flow. Yeah, it takes a bit longer, but I feel it’s more precise.
Like most everything, the precision improves with use. Once the clicks are gone you won’t need them any more. Like playing a trombone or violin. You will still hit the right notes even though you don’t have the clicks anymore to guide you.
I have always liked the weight(heft) and the handle placement of the Skil 100. Good stability and control.
To me the handle is back too far and puts too much stress on the wrist and the last 3 fingers. My middle finger on my right hand bends down from the weight of the machine being supported on it. Excess weight is wasted in a planer where the depth of a cut is not regulated by down force, like in sanding. I don’t want it flimsy light, just less then it is now.
With the “other one” it feels like I’m ironing a shirt or something.
Funny description. I agree with you completely. I don’t think I would want the handle over the top or centered above the weight. Just a bit less behind so it creates less leverage on the wrist and hand. I like pushing the planer low from behind rather than high and over the top.
I’ve only ironed a shirt a few times, but that’s what it felt like…I still don’t know how to tie a tie though…
Agree it could have some more amps and rpm. Although the 7.5amp is pretty nice compared to the 5.5amp.
tim stamps
Agreed. I can’t use a 5.5 amp, it will almost come to a stop! 9 amps would be about perfect.
Just wanted to say thanks for the great thread and every one who has contributed to it. Like you Pete’s been helping me out with a planner. Pete C is an absolute star and one of the nicest guys I’ve ever had the fortune to meet.
The way shapers talk about thier own planners and how they have/would mod them and polished them is very remincant of the hot rod scene. I guess that makes the Skil the hot rod of all planners.
Hi Bill,
I think I was lurking around your shop in that period.
Maybe I picked it up from you?
Hi Bill,I think I was lurking around your shop in that period.
Maybe I picked it up from you?
Could be Allan. That was some fun times. I have recently been cataloging and scanning a bunch of old photos and slides. I am finding all kinds of cool stuff!
Quote:Hi Bill,
I think I was lurking around your shop in that period.
Maybe I picked it up from you?
Could be Allan. That was some fun times. I have recently been cataloging and scanning a bunch of old photos and slides. I am finding all kinds of cool stuff!
Post 'em up!
However, Bing’s got the lead on the “coolest old shot of a planer” contest! ha ha
Aloha Surfthis
I will post some of those picture I mentioned on a new thread so we don’t hack this one which is about a totally different subject.